Lost Boy

by Jay Martin

The comics debut of accomplished music video director Jay Martin in a beautiful and heartwarming tale of adversity and survival.

In the aftermath of a deadly car accident in the remote Wyoming wilderness, a young boy escapes as the sole survivor.

Stranded, freezing and without anyone around to help him, he struggles to stay alive as he attempts to find his way back to civilization. Along the way, through extreme tests of will, courage, and endurance, he discovers what it truly means to be tested, and learns that the secret to survival isn’t always what you think it is.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Young Adult, Survival, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Adventure

Kindle Edition

About the author

Jay Martin began his career as a storyboard artist on notable movies like Constantine, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and I Am Legend.. Branching into music videos, Jay directed for top artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Shawn Mendes, Tiesto & Post Malone, and others. His work on Shawn Mendes’s' In My Blood, garnered three MTV VMA nominations in 2018, including Best Direction. By 2015, he had written and directed his debut feature film, 7 Minutes, starring Jason Ritter and Kris Kristofferson.
In 2023, Dark Horse Comics published his inaugural graphic novel, Lost Boy, written and illustrated by Jay. His upcoming graphic novel, Yellow set in a dystopian America, is slated for release in spring 2024 by Dark Horse.

Reviews

[Milly · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2.5) Kind of short for it to feel like a good survival story.The ending definitely needed more or we need a second comic, it felt like the ending was rushed and unfinished.
I think the title Lost Boy is a little misleading as it made me think of a Peter Pan retelling of some sort and there are many other stories with some variation of this title.

Despite its faults Lost Boy is the perfect comic for kids to get into survival stories, from here they can go on to Hatchet and My Side of the Mountain and other beloved tales.

Story: 2.0 star
Art: 4.0 star

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that Shawn Mendes wrote the foreword for his music director. This is an emotional, poignant and incredible survival tale that explores strength, resilience as well as the beautiful bond between human and animal.

Despite being a quick read, the story was as rich as the illustrations and tugged on my heartstrings. The ending had me there for a moment. I also enjoyed the author's notes taking us through his process and look forward to his future works.

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

After an automobile accident, a teenage boy finds himself lost in the snowy mountains of Wyoming with a fawn his only company and wolves his biggest problem.

Pretty standard survival stuff, but it's so short that it is too slight and insubstantial for my taste.

[Rose | Adventurous Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice colors for the illustrations. I was hoping for a little more survival skills and less ‘saved by Bambi’.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this with my son, and what a beautiful book. The color palette, illustrations, gorgeous scenes of mountains snow and the facial expressions—wow the detail! It kept my attention while the survival adventure story kept my son riveted. Graphic novels are one of my favorite ways to introduce him to reading and they hold his attention while the story gets underway.

This one tells the story of Jack, an angsty kid in the throws of adolescence on a road trip with his dad through Wyoming. The story’s a universal one, on par with Paulsen’s Hatchet and Northwind (both of which we’ve done as read-a loud stories, but this one held my son’s interest much better at 7).

Jack finds himself in a situation that requires some fast growing up. Jay Martin’s drawings bring the contemporary into a very classic tale: Jack embraces nature and wildlife, implements life skills he’s learned from his parents and survives on ranch favored corn nuts, which, may or may not be nutritious.

[C.W. Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick breezy survival tale for anyone who might be fans of Gary Paulsen's "Hatchet". While there's not a lot of depth here, there doesn't really need to be. It's a simple coming-of-age survival story...nothing more, nothing less. The art style is absolutely gorgeous. You can feel the cold at every page turn. I quite enjoyed it and recommend to comic readers who don't want to do a long comic run and just want a quick, fun read to keep them entertained for about 30 minutes to an hour.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent YA Graphic Novel

This is very exciting and I would definitely have my 7th grade students read this book. Very exciting. I highly recommend this.

[Matthew Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great debut graphic novel by Jay Martin! I enjoyed the colors and art and felt a lot of the emotion that the author conveyed through it. The writing made for a good story and this felt like it could be a real story, even with a couple fantastical elements. Glad I picked this one up!

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent tale, basically a boy surviving on his own after a cae crash kills his father. Feels very been there done that but the art and pacing help it move quick and make it a easy read.

[Vist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jay Martin melakukan debut menulisnya dengan karya bernama Lost Boy. Seperti judulnya tentu isi cerita dari buku ini merupakan tentang anak yang tersesat dan berusaha menemukan jalan pulang kembali. Kekurangan dari buku ini adalah akhir yang bisa ditebak & cerita yang sudah mainstream, namun bukan berarti buku tersebut buruk. Eksekusi penulisan buku ini bagus, gambar yang disajikan juga memukau, terutama dibagian landscapes pemandangan. Tentunya buku ini bisa dinikmati oleh semua umur. Kata "memuaskan" saya sematkan di review kali ini.

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated novel, with hints of Gary Paulsen's Hatchet. Teenage Jack survives a car accident in the mountains, in winter. His father does not. The scene where he discovers his father's body is the single most effective in the entire book. It's carefully understated, but still heart wrenching. And then Jack sort of teams up with a fawn to try and survive and find civilization. The believability is maybe not up to Hatchet standards, especially with the actions of the fawn and a pack of wolves Jack runs across. That didn't really bother me, because it's not outrageously unnatural, but I can see how that would pull some people out of the story. For me, the art does carry the book, but I did find the story engaging enough that it was a really good read instead of just nice to look at.

[Calvin Daniels · Rating 3 out of 5]

Barely a 3. Just not believable in my mind

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful, short tale of strength, survival, loyalty and love. I would love to see this taken further in length and expanded but I liked it regardless.

[kathy lubertozzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great graphic novel. I never read graphic novels but bought this to read to my grandsons who are 6 & 7. They are going to like it but I was surprised that I loved it. Hope this author has more in the works!

[Gemma Upham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very pretty illustrations, love the story but not much survival, hoping there will be more to come though! Thoroughly enjoyed reading it

[Ming · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like many comics out there, it's overwritten, when a silent or almost-silent story would've been much more powerful. The visual storytelling is quite lovely, wish he'd trusted in it more.

[Jess Klug · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast read that keeps you on the edge! I really liked the illustrations - especially the wolves.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this...the artwork and the survival story. Not a new favorite or a book that changed the way I see the world...but it was a good read and I would read it again.

[Vladimír · Rating 4 out of 5]

Život sa môže obrátiť hore nohami v okamihu. Stačí drobná nepozornosť a výlet do hôr sa zmení na nočnú moru. Pubertiak, ktorého najväčšou starosťou je úroveň mobilného signálu, musí načrieť na dno svojich síl a objaviť v sebe niečo, o čom ani sám nevedel, že to v sebe má. Chlad, samota a svorka vlkov preveria jeho vôľu prežiť viac ako dostatočne.

Viac na mojom Blogu => Lost Boy - Chlad, samota a svorka vlkov

[Izzys_Internet_Bookshelf · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5

Overall I found it to be alright, I read it late at night before going to sleep as a quick read. I haven't read a graphic novel in a while so when I saw it at my local library I just picked it up. I felt like there wasn't much to the story, it was pretty straightforward. The deer was my favorite character.

[wildct2003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good storytelling

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Rick Ray · Rating 2 out of 5]

A young boy comes out as the sole survivor of a deadly car crash atop a mountain in Wyoming in the dead of winter. Against his sustained injuries, the trauma of having lost his father, and the brutality of the Wyoming wilderness, the boy must muster up the courage to survive his way down the mountain.

Lost Boy is your typical survival thriller fare, but it suffers from being a bit too short to actually establish character and stakes. It's got a heartwarming message about love and resilience attached to it make it a worthwhile time for younger readers, but the brevity impacts the ability to really deliver a more compelling narrative. The artwork is really stunning through, with the colors in particular being a standout. Sequences set during dusk are particularly interesting to see, as the contrast of fire illuminating the deepening shadows is vibrant.

[Ben · Rating 1 out of 5]

think of the most basic "boy stranded in the woods and has to survive" plot you can think of. now mix in some mediocre art so it looks worse than you're imagining. that's Lost Boy.

[Maciej · Rating 3 out of 5]

Komiks "Lost Boy" autorstwa Jay Martina to przejmująca opowieść o przetrwaniu, dorastaniu i sile. W tle majestatycznych, śnieżnych gór Wyoming, młody Jack przeżywa dramatyczny wypadek samochodowy, w którym traci ojca. Ten tragiczny moment staje się początkiem jego samotnej walki o przetrwanie w dzikiej przyrodzie.

Zilustrowana przepięknymi, pełnymi emocji rysunkami, historia wciąga czytelnika od pierwszych stron, pozwalając mu niemalże odczuć zimno bijące z kart komiksu. Użyta paleta barw - chłodne róże, błękity i szarości - doskonale oddaje atmosferę opowieści, podkreślając jej dramatyzm i piękno otaczającej przyrody.

Jack, w obliczu śmierci ojca i konieczności przetrwania w dzikich warunkach, doświadcza przemiany z rozkapryszonego nastolatka w dojrzałego, pełnego współczucia bohatera. Jego historia to nie tylko walka o przetrwanie, ale również głęboka lekcja o sile charakteru, empatii i dorastaniu.

Jay Martin, znany dotąd głównie z reżyserii teledysków, z niezwykłą wrażliwością i umiejętnością opowiada historię, która, mimo swej prostoty, porusza głębokie struny ludzkiej duszy. Jego komiks jest nie tyle ładnie zilustrowany, ale i pełne emocji, co sprawia, że "Lost Boy" staje się nie tylko komiksem do oglądania, ale przede wszystkim do przeżywania.

Szkoda tylko, że momentami traci tempo, a historia mogłaby rozciągnąć się na kolejne kilka zeszytów.

Przyjemność 3,5/5
Styl: 3,6/5
Historia: 3,3/5

Ocena 3,5/5

[Michael Sorbello · Rating 4 out of 5]

A father takes his boy out into the wilderness of the snowy mountains to teach him a thing or two about being a real man. They get into an argument that leads to a fatal accident. The dad crashes into a mother deer which causes the vehicle to spin out of control, and only the son and the deer’s child walk out alive. The human child and deer child struggle to survive in the freezing wilderness surrounded by dangerous predators and brutal temperatures, searching for rescue before they drop like flies.

A cool coming of age story that plays out a bit differently than most. The son is really unlikable at first but his reaction to his father’s sudden death and seeing how surviving in the wilderness while caring for a defenseless animal drastically changes him really made me warm up to him.

It’s a short and simple story, but it was really effective at developing a spoiled brat into an unexpected and resilient hero.

[Amy Walker - Trans-Scribe Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lost Boy tells the story of a young teen travelling home from a skiing trip with his father, passing along a remote road in they Wyoming mountains. Jack, the boy, didn’t want to go skiing, just wants to be back home in Los Angeles, and doesn’t seem to enjoy spending time with his father. The atmosphere between the two of them on the drive back is colder than the snow-covered mountains outside. When a deer steps out onto the road, Jack’s father swerves in an attempt to avoid it, and crashes through the safety barrier, plunging the car off a cliff into the forest below.


When Jack comes to, the sun has fallen, and he’s been thrown through the car’s windshield. Finding the wrecked car, his father sits inside, dead. At first just curling up with his deceased father, hoping that he might wake up and be fine, Jack begins to drift asleep. It’s then that a voice in his head tells him that he has to move, that if he falls asleep he’ll die too. So, grabbing what supplies he can from the ruined car, he starts to try and make his way back to the road. But, with the cliff seemingly un-climbable, and a pack of wolves closing in on him, Jack sets off down the mountain. Along the way he finds an injured fawn, and the two of them work together to survive.
Lost Boy is a grim story. It begins with one off the worst things that can happen, a young boy losing his father to tragedy, but it also ramps things up by having the last moments they had together be one where they’re arguing and upset with each other. However, rather than wallow in the guilt that Jack must be feeling, the book instead chooses to put his journey to safety at the forefront. And all things considered, Jack is a pretty smart teen. He knows enough not to just wait by the car, he grabs useful stuff from the wreck before setting off, and he has something of a plan in mind. However, he is still just a kid, so ends up doing some pretty bad things along the way.


The main cause of Jack’s strife are the wolves that are following him, and the fawn that he befriends. There’s not much that can be done about the wolves, but there are a couple of times when Jack ends up putting himself in danger and makes things worse for himself to save the fawn. But I also know I’m the kind of person who’d act the same so can’t hold it against him. These moments help to humanise Jack, however, and it gives him something to focus on, and something to talk to. Jack ends up needing that baby deer to survive, because it keeps him sane, and it keeps him fighting.
The book is both written and drawn by Jay Martin, who does a really good job at bringing the story to life. The Wyoming wilderness looks absolutely fantastic throughout, and Martin makes it feel cold and remote. From the moment the car goes over the edge you’re worrying for Jack, because the place he’s in is not one humans are built for. One of the ways the book conveys this is through colour, with the night scenes in particular looking fantastic thanks to the use of darker tones, and lighting effects.

Lost Boy isn’t a long read, and you’ll get through it pretty quickly, but it’s an enjoyable journey. It’s the story about the fight to survive in a terrible situation and against awful odds, and the fact that it’s been crafted by the same writer and artist makes it stand out as a labour of love.

[Mooni Baronets · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lost boy is a tale of survival after the loss of a father. Lost boy wanted to be home instead of a ski trip with his dad. After tragedy strikes the boy is left to survive on his own.

Pros:
Beautiful visuals
I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

Cons: Pacing was a bit rushed. I understand why it was rushed, it was to make the reader on the edge of their seat, but some parts were rushed and didn’t work.

Thoughts on the ending:
Ending felt too short. I wanted an epilogue that jumped forward to when the boy was an adult and telling his kids about how he was saved after he lost his father.

Final rating: 3/5 stars

[Abigail Jose · Rating 3 out of 5]

3. 5 stars ~ Not really the story I expected, but still very interesting read! This story is not only about survival, but also an interesting take on family relations, specifically father and son. I wish this story was a little longer or at least went deeper into the themes. You can tell the beginning of the story the father and son don't really get along. Once the son had to be on his own and survive, he's full of regret. It didn't really resolve his relationship with his dad. You can say it didn't need to be open-ended, but in this case, I wish it did. Recommend for an interesting, quiet action graphic novel!

[Sohan Surag · Rating 1 out of 5]

Never judge a book by its cover and how we keep forgetting this fact! I picked this up seeing the cover and I have to say I am sorely disappointed. The story tries too hard to make sense of the plight of the 'lost boy', trying to incorporate survival themes, loss of a loved one, along with making connections with unexpected companion. The main character I felt, was, so unlikeable - it didnt feel like the author put much thought into the nuances of a teenage boy. In the end - it was so forgettable. Sigh.