An offbeat graphic novel adventure with a queer protagonist.
Finch Eaglehawk is a PetWizard, born with the ability to control animals. His love of bursting into glam rock musical numbers is incidental. As a PetWizard, though, his specialty isn’t cool animals like dogs or sharks. Instead, he’s been given the “etcetera” category of the animal kingdom: naked mole rats, bearded dragons, furry spiders, and the like. In an effort to use his powers for good, Finch offers to add animal special effects to the school musical (which might also impress his crush, Ken Chu, co-star of the show). Together with his best friend Aberdeen and new kid Erica, they attempt to decipher the “hamsterglyphics” of an ancient tome of PetWizard lore (found in the school library) in order to help Finch master the powers he needs to succeed.
Zany escapades and surprise revelations, plus the machinations of Finch’s nemesis, the previous special-effects guy, make for an entertaining read that also offers some light messages about being oneself. It pokes fun at tropes of chosen ones and superpowers to create something that’s simply silly and delightful. It’s the first of a planned two-part series, and I’m looking forward to the next volume.
Finch and Aberdeen are White, Erica is Black, and Ken is Asian.
