Wishful Thinking - Issue 1

by Glenn Dion, Nicole Jones-Dion (editor)

When lovelorn high school freshman Carter Lumley takes change from a wishing fountain, he gets more than he bargained for when the fountain's "technician" takes him in to stand trial for his crime. Carter soon discovers a world of magic and mystery he never could have imagined.

67 pages, Paperback

Published February 27, 2024

Reviews

[Jeremiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and near perfect comic for early teens

I’m pretty picky about my entertainment, and a comic book has a steep hill to climb to find my favor. I need solid writing, thoughtful art, easy to follow panel transitions and dialogue, and for the author to take advantage of the limitless possibilities of the medium. Well, I’m no Scott McCloud, but for my money “Wishful Thinking” fires on all cylinders. The writing is terse, without wasting words, and still fun and funny. I’d love to see Dion work on Bristol board with ink instead of working digital, but with that small complaint aside, the layouts and art are fantastic. The characters are presented consistently in settings that are perfectly constructed. The action and dialogue are easy to follow panel by panel, and there is heart and important themes . Dion does a great job starting the story in a mundane High School setting and setting up our hero’s motivations before the story gets fantastical with a literal snap. Highly recommended for middle school kids or high school students who aren’t ready for the levels of mayhem, violence, and sex that keep sick and twisted adults like me coming back to the comic shop. Instead, this book is good natured and sensitive, relatable and universal. Damn near perfect book for kiddos.

[Rich Meyrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply Excellent

Beautifully drawn. Good story. Intelligent dialogue. ‘Wishful Thinking’ is outstanding in all respects. I can’t wait to see how Carter’s wish granting continues in Issue 2.

[Booknerd_dragon (TANIA) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Attention, book lovers! If you're craving a fun, fast-paced, and whimsical read, look no further than *Wishful Thinking* by Glenn Dion. From the very first page, the story pulls you into a world that’s equally magical and hilarious. The author masterfully introduces a quirky setting that captivates your imagination, making it effortless to become fully immersed in the narrative.

The characters are a delight—each one brimming with personality and charm. You can easily envision their growth and evolution in future installments. Speaking of which, this book is practically begging to be the start of a series! There’s so much more to explore in this enchanting universe, and I’m already eagerly anticipating the next installment.

The pace is brisk, and Dion’s writing style keeps you flipping pages without even realizing it. It’s the perfect pick if you’re looking for something light yet immersive—ideal for a cozy afternoon or a leisurely weekend. Whether you’re a die-hard fantasy fan or simply seeking a refreshing, engaging story, *Wishful Thinking* delivers on all fronts.

Seriously, if you haven’t picked up *Wishful Thinking* yet, what are you waiting for? You’re about to embark on an adventure you won’t soon forget! And if a sequel is on the horizon, I’ll be the first in line to grab it the moment it drops! Dive into this delightful journey, and prepare to fall in love with every twist and turn.

[T.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This comic book is beautifully illustrated and engaging. It's set at the beginning of freshman year of high school where our protagonist is starting new chapter and hopeful about the coming year. He has plans to be a cool kid. He sees the beautiful Norah, with whom he has been secretly crushing on for the past 5 years. He freezes. Then he gets bullied and loses his wallet. He has no choice but to take change from a wishing fountain and that is when things really go awry. Bullies are nothing compared to the fairies that capture him and make him stand trial for stealing the wishes from the fountain. Our hero has to figure out to fulfill the stolen wishes.

There are funny parts, light and whimsical parts, optimistic and thought-provoking parts to this story. So creative and witty. I really like the full color illustrations as they are high quality. I read the eBook version, and I loved how the formatting of each panel read. It was like the pages were interactive, popping in and out, single panels, multiple panels, enlarged and regular size. Fun way to read this book. The story is uplifting. I can't wait to find out what happens next for our hero. This book would make a great gift!

[Zarlina · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Days without an incident between two people who should have gotten over it by now"
I laughed way harder than I should have.

This was such a fun read! I don't usually go for ... what do you even call these? Graphic novels? Comics? I don't know, like I said, I don't usually read them, but when I saw this on booksirens I figured that why not? It might be a quick read to get further ahead on my goodreads goal, and I'm honestly so happy I gave it a chance. The characters were light and fun and the artwork was really nice and easy on the eye. The story moved quickly and had me laughing more than once, and I'm curious to see what more wishes we'll get to explore in the future.

Already looking forward to the next one!


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[J. Rose Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and Witty!

Poor Carter. He’s not one of the cool kids, but he does have some serious pining-for-the-girl skills. (Apparently, he’s been honing them for a while)

He has not, however, been honing his personal life management skills as he misplaces things like his phone, wallet with bus pass…And is running late getting home…

But fairies, er, fae / fate are always moving. Now Carter has to help the wishing well “department of wish fulfillment” grant wishes or his will be lost forever. Maybe have the world of fairies, er fae and fate unite against him…

The worldbuilding was solid and layered. Western-style (as in not manga style) comic book art gives the story a fun, young adult vibe.

[Blake Hoena · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Carter is short bus fare, he absentmindedly takes change from a wishing well without considering why those coins where there in the first place. He soon discovers the consequences of stealing people's wishes.

In issue 1 of Wishful Thinking, Glenn Dion gives us a unique look at the Fae—just don't call them fairies! It's a middle grade graphic novel filled with everything from awkward teen emotions to a touch of humor and a bit of heart as Carter seeks to make amends for his actions while not looking too foolish in the eyes of Norah Fenning, his crush.

I received an advance review copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Raghav · Rating 5 out of 5]

A light-hearted, humorous, nostalgic read with beautiful artwork, Whichful Thinking is a fun comic based around starting high school, crushes, and a sprinkle of magic. Meant to be an on-going series, the story has some lovely and quirky characters, Monty in particular, and a theme that is both entertaining and morally inclined, making it ideal for young readers. In fact, even as an adult, I am very much looking forward to the next issue. I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[S.G. Karam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this way more than I thought I would!

I haven't read a graphic novel in years, and I was worried it might be a bit childish; no way, this was really well done. The characters were fun, I loved the emphasis on giving, and Monty was great. Bravo! I can't wait for the next one.

[M.K. Tufft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure fun!

Fun spin on a classic theme - nerdy kid’s first day of high school… how can he change his stars and make progress on his wishes? Of course, things go horribly wrong … until they start going a little bit right.
Can’t wait for the next installment!

[Jim Hardison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, Magical, and Well-Drawn

I enjoyed this funny, imaginative story of a boy who accidentally runs afoul of magical law and must redeem himself through wish-granting community service. The drawing style is attractive and appropriate to the material, the plot is imaginative, and the characters are engaging. A playful, entertaining read.

[lisa moses · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its Carters first day of high school and it's off to a terrible start. Carter learns the value of a wish and all that can go wrong while making it come true.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[N.A. Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the art style of this graphic novel. The story was fun and entertaining. I liked the characters a lot. The virtues it enforces don't make you feel judged. All in all this was a fun, quick read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lola Jansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really fun, lighthearted graphic novel to read.

I like the drawing style, it’s simple yet very engaging. The story made me smile quite a few times and I was eager to read more after finishing.

Love it!

[Alice Ensor · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun and such loveable characters... the humor and pathos jump off the page. This graphic novel isn't just for young adults and I'm totally looking forward to the next chapter.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the twist on a fantasy realm! I found it to be charming and funny. Definitely something I would recommend! I like how the teens actually sounded like teenagers. I'm not as found of the drawing style but honestly that's just my preference not a reference to how well done it is

I received this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. I have not bought it.