Nico Bravo and the Hound of Hades by Mike Cavallaro
Published by First Second on April 23rd 2019
ISBN: 1250196981
Pages: 192
Goodreads

This graphic novel has all of the elements of a surefire success: familiar characters from mythology, action, humor, and fantastic illustrations that bring it all to life in vivid style. Nico, along with Lula the Sphinx and Buck the unicorn,  works for Vulcan in a shop catering to all manner of mythological beings. When an adventurer walks in with a penchant for monster slaying and sets her sights on Cerberus, Nico realizes that slaying the one creature keeping all of the shades IN Hades would have a disastrous effect on the world above (zombies on the loose!). The first book in what is sure to be an entertaining and much-sought-after series follows Nico and that ambitious adventurer, Eowulf, into the Underworld and beyond as one attempts to fulfill her destiny and the other tries to prevent chaos. A twist at the end of the book will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment. Highly recommend for graphic novel collections.  Grades 2 and up.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth