Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Exciting graphic novel blends two popular series.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
When giants threaten to take over Earth and destroy humans once and for all, MIGHTY JACK AND ZITA THE SPACEGIRL, along with their motley assortment of family and friends, will face their toughest challenge yet. Piper's been captured and thrown in jail, but he manages to get them a message that the only way to defeat the giants is to enlist the help of the elves of Alfheim. Maddie summons the dragon Phelix to open a portal for them, and the heroes find themselves in the In Between. Finding the entrance to Alfheim might seem impossible, but fortunately the goblins are as loyal as ever to Lilly, Joseph's still got his magic cape, and Zita's found a new jump crystal. Can the gang back on Earth hold the giants off long enough for the heroes to gather an army capable of defeating the giants once and for all?
Is It Any Good?
This bringing together of author and illustrator Ben Hatke's two popular graphic novel franchises is sure to please fans who've eagerly awaited more adventures for Jack and Zita. They'll also be delighted to see how Mighty Jack and Zita the Spacegirl brings together so many old friends from both series. Drawing this time on elements of Norse mythology, Hatke's lively, colorful illustrations propel the action and keep the pages turning while the sometimes funny, sometimes poignant dialog rounds out the story and makes the characters believable.
If you haven't read either the Jack or the Zita series, it might take a while to figure out who's who. Hatke doesn't spend much time establishing characters here, and the cast is a big one. Speaking of characters, a lot of delight comes from minor, oddball characters like the robots, the goblins, and an oddball pair of pipe dwellers who all add charm and humor to the cast. Multiple story lines, scary fantasy creatures and intense action make it best for big kids and up.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Mighty Jack and Zita the Spacegirl. Was anything too scary for you, or did it make the story more exciting? What makes you feel better when you're scared?
What do you like about Jack, Zita, and their friends? Who's your favorite character? What do you like about them?
What do you like or love about graphic novels? What are some of your favorites? What kinds of stories make good graphic novels?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Ben Hatke
- Genre : Graphic Novel
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Superheroes , Adventures
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : First Second
- Publication date : September 3, 2019
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 272
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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