Breakdown: The Reckoner Rises, Book 1

The Reckoner Rises #1

by David Alexander Robertson

After the events in Wounded Sky, Cole and Eva arrive in Winnipeg, the headquarters of Mihko Laboratories. They are intent on destroying the company once and for all, but their plans are thwarted when a new threat surfaces. When Cole becomes mired in terrifying visions, Eva must harness her newly discovered powers to investigate Mihko without him. Are Cole’s visions just troubled dreams, or are they leading him to a horrible truth?

Perfect for fans of superheroes, The Bloodhound Gang returns in this all-new graphic novel series, The Reckoner Rises.

This audiobook includes literary image descriptions for listeners who are blind, have low vision, or are visually impaired.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Indigenous, Young Adult, Fantasy, Graphic Novels Comics, Horror, Science Fiction

Audible Audio

First published October 27, 2020

About the author

DAVID A. ROBERTSON is a two-time winner of the Governor General's Literary Award, has won the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, as well as the Writer's Union of Canada Freedom to Read award. He has received several other accolades for his work as a writer for children and adults, podcaster, public speaker, and social advocate. He was honoured with a Doctor of Letters by the University of Manitoba for outstanding contributions in the arts and distinguished achievements in 2023. He is a member of Norway House Cree Nation and lives in Winnipeg.

Reviews

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find myself buying more graphic novels these days, especially indigenous creations like the A Girl Called Echo series; civil rights books like John Lewis's March trilogy and historical series like George Takei's story of the Japanese internment camps in the US and Art Spiegelman's Maus. Of course I still like books like Neil Gaiman's Sandman books, Max Allan Collins' Ms. Tree and others.

Anyway, I digress. The other day I saw two books by David A. Robertson, graphic novels it seems of a YA book trilogy he wrote between 2017 & 2019, the Reckoner trilogy. I gather that the two graphic novels are follow-ons to the books so I will now have to buy the books.

Breakdown is the first book in the Reckoner Rises and while there are two books so far, I have a feeling there will be more in the series. The story starts off in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada where Cole, an indigenous man, is receiving psychiatric help for something that happened at the Wounded Sky reservation. (I presume this is explained in the initial books). Cole, and his girl-friend, Eva, have been experimented on by an organization called Mihko Laboratories. Both have powers that are only partially explained in this graphic novel, but Eva can fly (can Cole?) and Cole seems to have some form of invulnerability.

Cole keeps seeing visions of something that happened in Wounded Sky and certain activities bring him flashbacks. Eva is trying to help him find himself and also exploring Mihko Labs. The story leaves on a cliff hanger... of course meaning I need to read the next. The art is excellent in this story, the inkwork clear and sharp. The story is necessarily somewhat confusing but does try to give inklings of things that happened. Cole is troubled so difficult to warm to at the moment but Eva is instantly sympathetic. All in all intriguing enough to make me want to explore the Reckoner books more. As an aside, I'm surprised at the amount of indigenous graphic novels available and enjoying exploring (also check out The Girl Called Echo and If I go Missing if you'd like to try some) (3.0 stars)

[JJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Canadian indigenous teenage superheroes?!? Sign me up! This was great.

[Kathie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for an eARC of this book.

What an excellent YA graphic novel! I've been anxiously awaiting this book, as I LOVED The Reckoner trilogy by author. This book continues that series, but it's now in graphic novel format, with incredible illustration by Scott B. Henderson and Donovan Yaciuk.

Cole has returned to Winnipeg, along with Eva, to figure out what's going on with Mihko Laboratories, but the trauma that he experienced in Wounded Sky First Nation has come with him. He's experiencing PTSD, and the panic attacks and hallucinations that go along with it. His mental health is also affecting how he feels about being a "superhero". On the other hand, Eva is really coming into her own as a confident, empowered Indigenous female superhero. She supports Cole, but also realizes she can also go out on her own without needing him by her side. Together, they are trying to figure out what's going on in Mihko's building, but true to form, the author leaves us with a cliffhanger to wait and see what's going to happen to the characters next.

The ownvoices mental health representation in this series is one of my favorite aspects of it. Cole is a character whose struggle with anxiety and the trauma from his past is honest, raw, and extremely relatable to many. To see a character that's powerful even though he has mental health issues is inspiring, and I love how complex and real he becomes when he's seen as imperfect. There are scenes where Cole meets with his therapist, and discusses his problems and the need for him to go back on antidepressants. This open discussion of needing support is extremely positive.

Watching Eva develop in this book is also a highlight, as she becomes a real role model with her compassion and strength. Although I certainly missed Choch from the original series, I did enjoy revisiting other characters, too, and Brady's relationship with Dylan provides Two Spirit representation that adds to the book's appeal.

I highly recommend this book for young adult collections, and suggest you check out The Reckoner trilogy if you haven't read it yet.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

2024 review:

My library got the third volume after a bit of a wait, but I wanted a refresher before I dive into it, so I'm rereading the first two volumes. This absolutely holds up to my memory, and I'm glad I gave it a reread (although it does make me want to reread the Reckoner trilogy as well). Looking forward to continuing!


2022 review:

4.5 stars.

I really loved the Reckoner trilogy, and I've been very excited to start reading the comics continuation, especially since I've really enjoyed other comics from David A. Robertson and I've enjoyed his collaborations with Scott B. Henderson and Donovan Yaciuk before (as well as their work as artists independent of Robertson). This totally lived up to my expectations! It's a very intriguing beginning to the comics story, and it has my full attention. I'm really looking forward to future volumes.

I would definitely recommend this, but I would suggest reading the Reckoner trilogy (Strangers, Monsters, Ghosts) first, otherwise I doubt it would make enough sense to be enjoyable, it is a direct continuation of the trilogy.

[The_J · Rating 1 out of 5]

Super Powers, but not super heroes. Unfortunately not super interesting

[Bin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoops thought they were siblings the (w)hole time

[Barbara McVeigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
Love the cliffhanger ending (want to read more) but the storytelling is a bit confusing at times.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most frustrating thing about this book is waiting for the second volume. An excellent continuation of the Reckoner series.

[Jaclyn Hillis]

“If you learn to cope with the fear, you can overcome the fear.”

This graphic novel trilogy is a follow-up to the The Reckoner novel trilogy by the same author. I don’t believe you need to read that series to enjoy this one, as I haven’t read them but still enjoyed these graphic novels. You’re kind of thrown into this world, and the aftermath of what I’m assuming happened in the books, but I’m okay with that.

Cole and Eva arrive in Winnipeg, where the headquarters of Mihko Laboratories, the company they are intent on destroying, is located. Cole is clearly suffering from PTSD and having hallucinations, and I really appreciated this representation. And Eva is trying to understand her newly discovered powers. I loved her character, and how fiercely independent and confident she was.

A lot is packed into a few pages, so I don’t want to say much more and give everything away. Check out this series if you’re looking for fast-paced sci-fi and superhero action with an Indigenous twist.

[Lori Emilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re a fan of the Reckoner Trilogy (as I am) you’ll enjoy this graphic novel. I think you need to have read the previous three novels in order to fully appreciate this title however.

[Spencer Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A reintroduction to some interesting characters. I will follow along to see where the story goes.

[Carla A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this story but the art is odd. The main protag is supposed to be a teen but looks to be at least 25. Otherwise the plot is legit. Looking forward to volume 2.

[Kayleigh Wiebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This graphic novel follows Cole Harper as he lives through the impact of individual and community trauma faced at the hands of Mihko Laboraties in Wounded Sky First Nation. This graphic novel depicts to multiple periods in time, sometimes overlayed with the present, making for a confusing read but is true to the actual experiences of flashbacks and remembering.

Ultimately, this read like a superhero origin story! Definitely would recommend for Marvel fans and who like the darker elements of superheroes. I did feel like I was dropped into the middle of the story though, I think this graphic novel would be best enjoyed if you have read The Reckoner trilogy.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot itself was light, probably table-setting for further books, but it was a fun read. The only thing I found a little odd was Cole once again shutting Eva out as if he didn't just spend three novels like a week ago (in the story's timeline) learning that he needs to trust her.

I really enjoyed the depiction of Winnipeg as a local. Every building that I've driven by 100 times was instantly recognizable and I found myself going back through the pages picking out little details on signs and buildings in the skyline.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read the YA series that this continues. That's the problem with switching media. However, this seemed to be your standard experimenting on teenagers and giving them superheroes schtick, just in Canada with indigenous people. The main character is having hallucinations and that's where things got confusing. The art was good but it got super confusing with these visions about what was real and what wasn't. Still I liked this well enough that I'll pick up the other 2 volumes.

[Barbara McEwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh this was fun. I enjoyed the novels but the illustrations in this follow up graphic novel were great to see. Oh and the nostalgia if you have ever lived in Winnipeg, lol! Looking forward to the next one.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cole returns to Wounded Sky after some traumatizing events. It seems that a company has been experimenting on Native Americans, and some people have developed super powers. First book in a series. I want to know what happens next.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Love the humor and the connection to the novels, but I wanted a longer story here. Waiting for more.

[Jean]

Indigenous superhero graphic novel with mental health themes. I felt Ike I needed to read the Reckoner series books first in order to appreciate the story.

[Ricardo Quijada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and lots of themes to work off of if you happen to be an educator.

[Jonny Phake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty interesting. Love the artwork too. Looking for part 2 now.