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Karate Prom
Don “TheDragonWilson” Jones is the finest fighter Benjamin Harrison High School has ever produced. But when he enters the ring against Lincoln High’s Sam Steadman, it’s love at first knockout.
Unfortunately, Sam has a jerky ex-boyfriend…and Don has a seriously terrifying ex-girlfriend. Like, “global crime cartel” terrifying. From prom to the after-party to graduation, Don and Sam―and an increasingly eclectic cast of supporting oddballs―will have to fight their way through a gauntlet of opponents, all in the name of love (and punching). Did we mention the punching?
Unfortunately, Sam has a jerky ex-boyfriend…and Don has a seriously terrifying ex-girlfriend. Like, “global crime cartel” terrifying. From prom to the after-party to graduation, Don and Sam―and an increasingly eclectic cast of supporting oddballs―will have to fight their way through a gauntlet of opponents, all in the name of love (and punching). Did we mention the punching?
176 pages, Hardcover
Published May 7, 2024
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213 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
August 16, 2024
A fun riff on Scott Pilgrim has a romantic couple battling their way through the school year against a nemesis, ninja hordes, and the mob.
It's goofy and silly enough that I'm interested in checking out some more books by this Kyle Starks fellow.
It's goofy and silly enough that I'm interested in checking out some more books by this Kyle Starks fellow.
June 28, 2024
Ok, this was SUPER cute, but the art was just ugly and the violence, which was kind of the major plot point, was not to my taste.
Though I did LOVE the MC h and her banter with the MC H. I really liked that she was the more physically forward of the two and that he was being a gentleman with her. Chivalry is NOT dead Ladies and Gents! It just doesn't get as much screen time as the "Bad Boys".
This was cute and sweet, but the violence and ugly art brought it down from 4 to 3 stars for me.
3, if only it was prettier and not quite so violent, stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and First Second Books for an eARC of this book to read and review.
Though I did LOVE the MC h and her banter with the MC H. I really liked that she was the more physically forward of the two and that he was being a gentleman with her. Chivalry is NOT dead Ladies and Gents! It just doesn't get as much screen time as the "Bad Boys".
This was cute and sweet, but the violence and ugly art brought it down from 4 to 3 stars for me.
3, if only it was prettier and not quite so violent, stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and First Second Books for an eARC of this book to read and review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2024
I saw this on display at the library and couldn't resist. It's as silly as it sounds, and also funny and sweet. I loved Punchman!
May 11, 2025
"A once luxury-class human reduced to economy detritus" is my new favourite insult 😂
Not really my cup of tea. Everything was super exaggerated and over the top, from the characters and dialogue to the storyline and art style, so it took some getting used to. There was lots and lots of (mindless) fighting, more so than actual plot, so I wasn't super invested.
Plus honestly the characters and their facial expressions are ugly...
On the bright side, this was a quick read that didn't take too much brain power. It also has some cool phrases like the above and I liked every character's ending.
Not really my cup of tea. Everything was super exaggerated and over the top, from the characters and dialogue to the storyline and art style, so it took some getting used to. There was lots and lots of (mindless) fighting, more so than actual plot, so I wasn't super invested.
Plus honestly the characters and their facial expressions are ugly...
On the bright side, this was a quick read that didn't take too much brain power. It also has some cool phrases like the above and I liked every character's ending.
December 25, 2023
2.5/5
Quality of writing: 3
Plot development: 2
Pace: 2
Characters: 3
Enjoyability: 2
Ease of reading: 3
I'm so not the demographic for this. But I'm also not sure for what demographic this has been written for. The art is really childish but the story and some of the dialogue just didn't work with it. It seems like this was written for older teens but the art just doesn't carry it unfortunately.
Not the best comic I've read but also not the worst.
Review copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Quality of writing: 3
Plot development: 2
Pace: 2
Characters: 3
Enjoyability: 2
Ease of reading: 3
I'm so not the demographic for this. But I'm also not sure for what demographic this has been written for. The art is really childish but the story and some of the dialogue just didn't work with it. It seems like this was written for older teens but the art just doesn't carry it unfortunately.
Not the best comic I've read but also not the worst.
Review copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 11, 2025
This was a fun and Super Cute read.
A lot of folks have comparisons to Scott pilgrim which is valid, but it a bit of John wick meets Boy kills world in high school setting. I was gushing a lot too
A lot of folks have comparisons to Scott pilgrim which is valid, but it a bit of John wick meets Boy kills world in high school setting. I was gushing a lot too
June 17, 2024
Too goofy for me. It's like a sillier version of Scott Pilgrim.
August 16, 2025
Cute, like a quick Scott Pilgrim
April 1, 2025
Cute ❤️
July 21, 2024
Two karate nerds meet and fall instantly in love. Then there's a bunch of fighting. They fight at prom (maybe THAT'S why it's called Karate Prom!) and after-prom, and graduation, and - you get it.
I never really bought the romance. Partly because it consumes the characters instantaneously, and partly because the language they use to describe what they're feeling it trite and cliché. There are no characters in this book that have depth.
But there is a bunch of fighting. Starks draws the action of these fights well, and it's to the author's credit that they actually don't get redundant. This reader could not get over the smoke - it looked like smoke anyway - that accompanied many of the kicks and punches. It seemed unnecessary and dumb. My best explanation is that it was a different color to throw in a panel that added depth and shading. But, like, pointlessly and artificially.
All that said, I thought Starks did a really good job of ending this book. The fight panels with the "voiceover" of the valedictorian speech worked really well and approached a depth and artistry the rest of the book lacked. And the "Where Are They Now?" style afterwards were cute and surprised me. I spent a lot of the book thinking the characters were dumb, only to find myself amused and touched by their post scripts. So maybe the characterization works afterall?
I learned after I read this that I've read another of Starks' books (I Hate This Place) and didn't really like that one a ton either, but I liked this one more.
I never really bought the romance. Partly because it consumes the characters instantaneously, and partly because the language they use to describe what they're feeling it trite and cliché. There are no characters in this book that have depth.
But there is a bunch of fighting. Starks draws the action of these fights well, and it's to the author's credit that they actually don't get redundant. This reader could not get over the smoke - it looked like smoke anyway - that accompanied many of the kicks and punches. It seemed unnecessary and dumb. My best explanation is that it was a different color to throw in a panel that added depth and shading. But, like, pointlessly and artificially.
All that said, I thought Starks did a really good job of ending this book. The fight panels with the "voiceover" of the valedictorian speech worked really well and approached a depth and artistry the rest of the book lacked. And the "Where Are They Now?" style afterwards were cute and surprised me. I spent a lot of the book thinking the characters were dumb, only to find myself amused and touched by their post scripts. So maybe the characterization works afterall?
I learned after I read this that I've read another of Starks' books (I Hate This Place) and didn't really like that one a ton either, but I liked this one more.
June 9, 2024
A karate competition Senior year forever changes Don’s life when he falls in love with Samantha, the girl who knocks him out of the competition, and someone sends hitmen to beat them up at prom, and then they accidentally enrage a mafia family at the after-party.
This feels like something dreamt up by the guys who came up with Napoleon Dynamite or Dumb and Dumber. It’s quirky, sarcastic, super goofy, and tailored for a niche audience that will love it with a blazing fervor. I personally don’t quite fit in the niche audience, but I can think of a couple readers who might. Hand this to the right reader who has just the right kind of humor and they’ll probably sleep with it under their pillow for the rest of their lives.
Notes on content [based on the ARC]:
Language: I don’t remember anything.
Sexual content: 3 or 4 m/f kisses on page. Nothing further.
Violence: There are LOTS of fight scenes. Lots and lots of them. Most people just get bruises, at worst some broken or dislocated limbs. (They are rather cartoon-like in their longevity.)
Ethnic diversity: A variety of skin tones included in the characters whose names we learn. The crime family is Italian.
LGBTQ+ content: The epilogue says 2 guy friends get married (until then I thought they were brothers).
Other: The good guys fight in defense, bad guys out for revenge for little things.
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This feels like something dreamt up by the guys who came up with Napoleon Dynamite or Dumb and Dumber. It’s quirky, sarcastic, super goofy, and tailored for a niche audience that will love it with a blazing fervor. I personally don’t quite fit in the niche audience, but I can think of a couple readers who might. Hand this to the right reader who has just the right kind of humor and they’ll probably sleep with it under their pillow for the rest of their lives.
Notes on content [based on the ARC]:
Language: I don’t remember anything.
Sexual content: 3 or 4 m/f kisses on page. Nothing further.
Violence: There are LOTS of fight scenes. Lots and lots of them. Most people just get bruises, at worst some broken or dislocated limbs. (They are rather cartoon-like in their longevity.)
Ethnic diversity: A variety of skin tones included in the characters whose names we learn. The crime family is Italian.
LGBTQ+ content: The epilogue says 2 guy friends get married (until then I thought they were brothers).
Other: The good guys fight in defense, bad guys out for revenge for little things.
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 4, 2025
Don “theDragonWilson” Jones is the best fighter at his high school, but when he faces off against Sam Steadmen, it’s love at first knockout. Sam just got dumped, so she asks Don to Prom instead. And everything is going well, until the fighting starts. And then they have to contend with Don’s ex at the After-Prom Party. Not to mention the ninjas at graduation. High School can be tough, but with good friends one might make it through.
This was a fun YA graphic novel that’s heavy on the fighting and the burgeoning love. It’s funny and full of fun action. It was just a really fun read.
This was a fun YA graphic novel that’s heavy on the fighting and the burgeoning love. It’s funny and full of fun action. It was just a really fun read.
December 18, 2024
Hilarious and sweet, romantic, action-packed graphic novel. A great "meet-cute": Don falls for Samantha when she knocks him out at a karate tournament! They date and go to her prom together, where things start to go bad when her ex and his henchmen attack them! It goes from there, lots of convoluted fights and breakups and makeups, and then there are the ninjas... Very silly but satisfying. Art in full color, in a goofy loose style like tv animation, which makes perfect sense because the author writes for "Rick and Morty."
March 18, 2025
It was a cute story! There was a lot of action! It was a very quick read and had a satisfying ending, but some of the story was a little disjointed.
May 30, 2024
When Don meets Sam at a Karate tournament, he is so distracted by his attraction to her, that it is an immediate knockout. In more ways than one. The two teens find they have tons in common and enjoy each others company, so they plan to attend prom together. Little do they know that Prom will turn into a full-out brawl that will take all of their skills to survive. Fluffy good fun.
October 6, 2024
The title is incorrect. There is a prom, an after-prom, and a graduation. There is also a lot of fighting. And a whole lot of fun. It's an absolute blast from start to finish; a book that knows what it's meant to do and does it well. Laughs, a modest lesson, and fun cartoon art make for a thoroughly enjoyable read. First Second finds another winner here.
February 6, 2025
This one just didn't ever really capture my attention. I liked the idea of the Scott Pilgrim-esque over dramatic fights the couple had to go through to be together, but in execution it was mostly just separate vignettes of action with a little humor. Nothing wrong with that for many readers, I'm sure, but I was hoping for something more dynamic, with characters that felt more well rounded.
May 28, 2024
A great example of Kyle Starks’ trademark punch-em-ups. It’s ridiculous and over the top, but always in service of some gooey, nougaty emotion at the center.
June 9, 2024
I haven't had this much fun reading a graphic novel in a while.
You should read this if you know how to have a good time.
You should read this if you know how to have a good time.
June 14, 2024
"Luke, we're not with you because of your win/loss record. We're not your flunkies. We're not your gang. We're your family. And family takes care of each other. Dang it. Luke. This isn't you."
July 3, 2024
An 80’s action film that won’t stop drinking its own kool-aid and high fiving itself. Marvelous
July 27, 2024
man this would have killed in 2009
August 12, 2024
This was so cute, funny, and action packed.
September 15, 2024
This was funny. Some of the art actually had me laughing out loud. Loved the epilogue.
August 20, 2025
I dig it, Kyle Starks rules.
I think the flaw I see in this book is that it's got juuuuuuuust enough mention of sex that it probably shouldn't be in the kids section, but other than those couple of mentions, it's wholesome, fun, funny, and would be perfectly suited to middle graders.
I'm not some prude who thinks the mentioning of the existence of sex means a book should be ripped from a kid's hands, I think it's fine, and I personally would not find this remotely objectionable, even for a grade-schooler, but it's 2025, and while that SHOULD mean flying cars and flying belts and jetpacks and probably a lot of things like we have now, but flying, what it really means is that parents and Moms For Liberty and so on are incredibly sensitive to this stuff and jonesing hard for reasons to give a book the boot, especially from the kind of school libraries where this would be a hit.
So it's weird because it's not a story issue, it's not a bad book at all, and I don't personally find it offensive, but I think that by toning down the sex stuff, just a tiny bit, by sticking to a couple little jokes about being spicy and "kissing shenanigans," I think this could have gotten away with it, but by mentioning that a girl is nude in a hotel room, I think it puts the book in a tough spot, marketing-wise.
Maybe what I want to say is that, in my opinion, removing maybe 4 references to the existence of sex would give this book a lot more flexibility to reach its intended audience, and I don't think it would damage the story in the least.
But I'm no Kyle Starks, you should trust his storytelling instincts far more than mine.
And, I mean, FUCK Moms for Liberty.
I think the flaw I see in this book is that it's got juuuuuuuust enough mention of sex that it probably shouldn't be in the kids section, but other than those couple of mentions, it's wholesome, fun, funny, and would be perfectly suited to middle graders.
I'm not some prude who thinks the mentioning of the existence of sex means a book should be ripped from a kid's hands, I think it's fine, and I personally would not find this remotely objectionable, even for a grade-schooler, but it's 2025, and while that SHOULD mean flying cars and flying belts and jetpacks and probably a lot of things like we have now, but flying, what it really means is that parents and Moms For Liberty and so on are incredibly sensitive to this stuff and jonesing hard for reasons to give a book the boot, especially from the kind of school libraries where this would be a hit.
So it's weird because it's not a story issue, it's not a bad book at all, and I don't personally find it offensive, but I think that by toning down the sex stuff, just a tiny bit, by sticking to a couple little jokes about being spicy and "kissing shenanigans," I think this could have gotten away with it, but by mentioning that a girl is nude in a hotel room, I think it puts the book in a tough spot, marketing-wise.
Maybe what I want to say is that, in my opinion, removing maybe 4 references to the existence of sex would give this book a lot more flexibility to reach its intended audience, and I don't think it would damage the story in the least.
But I'm no Kyle Starks, you should trust his storytelling instincts far more than mine.
And, I mean, FUCK Moms for Liberty.
May 5, 2025
Karate Prom is a great book starting out with don falling in love with a girl who kicked his but and then taking that same girl to prom its crazy the fight between dons girl (sam) and astor was crazy at the memorial community center after home coming finding out that they broke up was sad but then astor after getting embarresed goes for round two at a celebration graduation it was great the whole book was awesome.
Don was so happy just to have a girlfriend and I loved his character in the whole book he was getting badly beat up but the only thing he cared about was to make sure that Sam was alright.
Sams character in the book was pretty cool for a women to be so good at karate and just absolutely destroy a 3v1 showed no fear from her character although I was sad she was crazy enough to use the excuse to break up with Don because he always got hurt from protecting her but they still got back together.
some of the themes that went on in the book was crazy like power of love and teamwork or Highschool stereo types or even the fact they were able to add so much humor in some of the craziest scenarios
the way Kyle Starks made Don in the book was so good because it was so relatable to so many people and guys in highshool just of being afraid to talk to a girl or just being awkward the way he made don in the book was so great
overall I think the book was incredible I don't read unless I have too but I remember I had finished the book and I was like I want to read it again but I had to turn it back in because it was due.
Don was so happy just to have a girlfriend and I loved his character in the whole book he was getting badly beat up but the only thing he cared about was to make sure that Sam was alright.
Sams character in the book was pretty cool for a women to be so good at karate and just absolutely destroy a 3v1 showed no fear from her character although I was sad she was crazy enough to use the excuse to break up with Don because he always got hurt from protecting her but they still got back together.
some of the themes that went on in the book was crazy like power of love and teamwork or Highschool stereo types or even the fact they were able to add so much humor in some of the craziest scenarios
the way Kyle Starks made Don in the book was so good because it was so relatable to so many people and guys in highshool just of being afraid to talk to a girl or just being awkward the way he made don in the book was so great
overall I think the book was incredible I don't read unless I have too but I remember I had finished the book and I was like I want to read it again but I had to turn it back in because it was due.
May 12, 2025
A short graphic novel that has a Scott Pilgrim vibe. Not my style of art, I don't care for the stiff shapes and large circle eyes, but I'm so picky about art in these things.
Story-wise, it's a caricature of a high school loser story, but it's not exactly trying to be anything else. I can't expect much when the premise is teen fights ninjas at prom. It is what it advertised on the back.
I was surprised to discover Kyle Starks has been nominated for an Eisner award at least 3 times. It's in the humor category, but still. Supposedly one of his other books, "Rock Candy Mountain", is super good. Also, he's from southern Indiana, and I'm starting to think I was too harsh to this guy, because the more I look into his website and blog, the more I kind of like his vibe. He says "I write comics, and I like to think I write fun comics". I've changed my mind, you're cool, Kyle.
Don TheDragonWilson Jones (yes that's his for real middle name, screensaver-esque) is a karate kid, going up against some of the toughest local fighters. He falls in love with a girl named Sam who beats him in a fight. When Sam's karate boyfriend breaks up with her, Don decides to take a chance and ask her out. They go to prom and after-prom together, fighting one another's exs. All is good, until Sam breaks up with him for his safety, Don finds her and gets her back. They fight his ex's crime family. Everyone lives happily ever after. The end.
I think this was a little too juvenile for me, but it's not really meant for me in the first place.
Story-wise, it's a caricature of a high school loser story, but it's not exactly trying to be anything else. I can't expect much when the premise is teen fights ninjas at prom. It is what it advertised on the back.
I was surprised to discover Kyle Starks has been nominated for an Eisner award at least 3 times. It's in the humor category, but still. Supposedly one of his other books, "Rock Candy Mountain", is super good. Also, he's from southern Indiana, and I'm starting to think I was too harsh to this guy, because the more I look into his website and blog, the more I kind of like his vibe. He says "I write comics, and I like to think I write fun comics". I've changed my mind, you're cool, Kyle.
Don TheDragonWilson Jones (yes that's his for real middle name, screensaver-esque) is a karate kid, going up against some of the toughest local fighters. He falls in love with a girl named Sam who beats him in a fight. When Sam's karate boyfriend breaks up with her, Don decides to take a chance and ask her out. They go to prom and after-prom together, fighting one another's exs. All is good, until Sam breaks up with him for his safety, Don finds her and gets her back. They fight his ex's crime family. Everyone lives happily ever after. The end.
I think this was a little too juvenile for me, but it's not really meant for me in the first place.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2025
Don meets the business end of Sam's fists at a karate tournament, and it's love at first K.O. But will they be able to survive prom, after parties, and other prepubescent events with a gauntlet of fighters out for their blood?
This book was ridiculous. Stark's wit has been honed by the Rick and Morty comics, and while this book is equally meta it's far kinder than any Rick and Morty storyline. Side characters are given arcs and agency and bowling agendas that come in last minute to save the day. A very entertaining and rambunctious read, definitely recommend to lighten your heart in between heavier content.
This book was ridiculous. Stark's wit has been honed by the Rick and Morty comics, and while this book is equally meta it's far kinder than any Rick and Morty storyline. Side characters are given arcs and agency and bowling agendas that come in last minute to save the day. A very entertaining and rambunctious read, definitely recommend to lighten your heart in between heavier content.
August 25, 2025
Absolutely ridiculous, and I mean that as a compliment. This is a wildly over the top graphic novel about teenagers engaging in improbable martial arts at a prom, a prom after party, and a graduation. Is there any substance here? Not really! I really don't think it was trying to have any substance, nor does it really need it. The romance needed a little more believability to get me fully invested, however. I do want to note that there's a lot of on page violence, but that it's all implausible fantasy violence, with very little in the way of on page blood or injury.
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