What do you think?
Rate this book
Quirk's Quest #1
Quirk's Quest: Into the Outlands
Setting out to explore the remote Outlands of Crutonia are the brave and multifarious crew of the H.M.S. Gwaniimander, under the command of Captain Quenterindy Quirk—a leader whose confidence exceeds his competence by several lengths of his own bushy tail.
Quirk’s voyage of discovery is quickly plunged into disaster and mystery, as the expedition encounters carnivorous giants, an unstable sorceress, and a valley of indestructible creatures. With the crew decimated, the ship destroyed, and a malign force plotting worse fortune, can Quirk and his compatriots hold together their royal mission?
Vividly illustrated and starring a cunningly designed cast of characters, Into the Outlands is a tale of adventure in a fully-imagined fantasy world ripe for exploration. This first graphic novel of Quirk’s Quest includes an illustrated roster of the important characters, a guide to the intrepid Sxervian Frog Brigade, and mission map of the Outlands.
Quirk’s voyage of discovery is quickly plunged into disaster and mystery, as the expedition encounters carnivorous giants, an unstable sorceress, and a valley of indestructible creatures. With the crew decimated, the ship destroyed, and a malign force plotting worse fortune, can Quirk and his compatriots hold together their royal mission?
Vividly illustrated and starring a cunningly designed cast of characters, Into the Outlands is a tale of adventure in a fully-imagined fantasy world ripe for exploration. This first graphic novel of Quirk’s Quest includes an illustrated roster of the important characters, a guide to the intrepid Sxervian Frog Brigade, and mission map of the Outlands.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published October 18, 2016
2 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
first-second-publications
October 18, 2016Captain Quenterindy Quirk and his company of seafaring explorers are the strangest adventurers you've ever seen! Fun, adorable, quirky—Into the Outlands is the perfect fantasy-adventure series for elementary and younger middle-grade readers!
January 4, 2017
This book announces itself as silly, with Fraggle-looking characters and a narrator clearly plagued by hubris - but then drops right into high drama, as the expedition is shipwrecked by carnivorous giants who straight-up send the ship's major domo right down the gullet. This is really tough to reconcile. Plus, the vocab (inept, sojourn, purview) puts it at like 5th grade, but the art reads 3rd grade or so. There are long cursive sections that will be hard for many kids to read, and some crazy proper nouns right off the bat that will put off others.
March 10, 2016
This is the first book in the Quirk's Quest series. In this book Captain Quenterindy Quirk and his crew set out to explore the outlands of Curonia. They are to map the area, explore the lands and Setting out to explore the remote Outlands of Crutonia are the brave and multifarious crew of the log the flora and fauna they come across. when their ship, H.M.S. Gwaniimander, is attacked by carnivorous giants, and many of the crew are killed, eaten or drown. The survivers find a cave to hide in and eventually come across the Yoons who are poisonous to the giants. The characters in the book are all very strange looking with very weird names. They meet up with Hukka, a nasty sorceress who kicks them out of her cave and is trying to kidnap one of the crew. With the crew decimated, the ship destroyed, and a malign force plotting worse fortune, can Quirk and his compatriots hold together their royal mission and complete their explorations? Once they finish exploring the island, how will they return home with no ship?
Vivid illustrations and a remarkable cast of characters, Into the Outlands is a tale of adventure in a fantasy world to rival the best imagination. The back of the book includes an illustrated roster of the important characters, a guide to the intrepid Sxervian Frog Brigade, and mission map of the Outlands. What will happen in the next installment of Quirk's Quest. This is a good graphic novel for students 8 to 12. The graphics, weird creatures and nonsensical names will surely grab their attention.
I received a copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Vivid illustrations and a remarkable cast of characters, Into the Outlands is a tale of adventure in a fantasy world to rival the best imagination. The back of the book includes an illustrated roster of the important characters, a guide to the intrepid Sxervian Frog Brigade, and mission map of the Outlands. What will happen in the next installment of Quirk's Quest. This is a good graphic novel for students 8 to 12. The graphics, weird creatures and nonsensical names will surely grab their attention.
I received a copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 1, 2017
I'm torn between a 3 and a 4 for this new graphic novel series, and I will wait to adjust my rating depending on how the rest of the books fit with this one. Still, this is a promising title, sure to intrigue late elementary and early intermediate readers because of its almost nonstop action and its humor alternating with anxiety-causing situations. In some ways, the fearless--ahem! sarcasm alert!--leader Captain Quenterindy Quirk reminds me of another captain whose vessel was voyaging to the stars, even in his captain's log. One thing is for sure, and that is the fact that this captain is exceptionally sure of himself while depending on others to make decisions and get him out of his messes. He and his crew are aboard the ship Gwaniimander when they venture too close to an island inhabited by extremely large and unfriendly creatures. They destroy the ship and wreak havoc among the crew. Eventually, the explorers find refuge in a cave belonging to Hukka, a troubled woman with a hair-trigger temper and singular obsession. When the ship's cartographer is befriended by a group of creatures called Yoons, they have the chance to rest up before heading onward to explore more uncharted territory. I'm not sure where the series will go, but I enjoyed being introduced to this little-known region of Crutonia and its odd characters and interesting lands. The worldbuilding here is quite interesting.
August 17, 2016
Received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this graphic novel. The illustrations are superb and enhance the storyline, the colouring is perfect and the narrative complements the illustrations. I realize that sounds weird but some stories the images and narrative don't match and when that happens, the story losses something. A wonderful story and well worth the read.
August 11, 2016
Will be reviewing this fully closer to publication date. Pleasantly surprised by this story. At first I thought it would be dull and boring and then all the action started! I love all the different creatures and the story really blew me away.
May 22, 2017
Quirk is a commander in the Crutonian army. He's tasked with the mission to explore and document the uncharted lands to the north of Crutonia. But when Quirk's ship, the H.M.S. Gwaniimander runs afoul of some menacing 4-eyed sea-giants, his mission becomes one of survival.
Now minus a ship, most of his provisions and half of his crew, Commander Quirk must rely on his skills to complete his mission and hopefully return home a hero. Sadly, Quirk's not the most competent of leaders and dissension is in the ranks. Plus, he's raised the suspicions of a crazed hag who may have kidnapped one of his crew. Thankfully, the pygmy natives of this region are immune to her charms and offer to lead the crew of the Gwaniimander out of the treacherous region and into presumably safer pastures.
The first book in the Quirk's Quest series was quite interesting. It read a lot like a child's version of Master and Commander- only starring what looks like members of Jim Henson's Muppets gang. I enjoyed what I read and I hope there's going to be at least a second book.
Amazon rates this book for grades 3-6 and I would have to agree with them on that. Several characters die in the book or at least get severely injured. Seeing Kermit's distant cousin get smushed by giant boulder might be very unsettling to younger readers. (Who am I kidding, that scene made me sad- and I'm almost 40!) Plus, that creepy old witch is pretty creepy.
An adventuresome read that breaks the rules of traditional children's graphic novels. This would make a great summer read!
Now minus a ship, most of his provisions and half of his crew, Commander Quirk must rely on his skills to complete his mission and hopefully return home a hero. Sadly, Quirk's not the most competent of leaders and dissension is in the ranks. Plus, he's raised the suspicions of a crazed hag who may have kidnapped one of his crew. Thankfully, the pygmy natives of this region are immune to her charms and offer to lead the crew of the Gwaniimander out of the treacherous region and into presumably safer pastures.
The first book in the Quirk's Quest series was quite interesting. It read a lot like a child's version of Master and Commander- only starring what looks like members of Jim Henson's Muppets gang. I enjoyed what I read and I hope there's going to be at least a second book.
Amazon rates this book for grades 3-6 and I would have to agree with them on that. Several characters die in the book or at least get severely injured. Seeing Kermit's distant cousin get smushed by giant boulder might be very unsettling to younger readers. (Who am I kidding, that scene made me sad- and I'm almost 40!) Plus, that creepy old witch is pretty creepy.
An adventuresome read that breaks the rules of traditional children's graphic novels. This would make a great summer read!
March 16, 2017
I love the illustrations in this graphic novel in that they are vivid, colorful, and fun, but it was very difficult for me to discern the differences between characters of the same type/race. Also, there were so many it was hard to keep track of them and their names regardless of what type/race they were.
The story-line also felt similarly confusing to me in regards to details while not in the overall plot.
I think students will be attracted to it because of the graphics and hopefully that will be enough to engage them fully with the text.
The story-line also felt similarly confusing to me in regards to details while not in the overall plot.
I think students will be attracted to it because of the graphics and hopefully that will be enough to engage them fully with the text.
May 21, 2017
Very cute and fun GN about a mythical land named Crutonia, with all sorts of weird characters with strange names. Loved the colors, the personalities of the main characters. The captain is obsessed with being all formal and over the top, while the little Yoons are happy happy happy all of the time.
I look forward to the next installment, and I think kids will like this, too.
I look forward to the next installment, and I think kids will like this, too.
March 7, 2017
This book was such a great surprise! Cute Fraggles encountering Dark Things...there's even a panel that's clearly the Death of Kermit. There was a slight uncomfortable
feeling of Manifest Destiny in our heroes' quest for the king, but I'm willing to reserve judgment till we see where this is going. Now when is the next one?!?
feeling of Manifest Destiny in our heroes' quest for the king, but I'm willing to reserve judgment till we see where this is going. Now when is the next one?!?
July 25, 2017
A middle grade/YA graphic novel about a bunch of Fraggle-looking creatures on an adventure to an uncharted island. This was fine, probably great for the intended age group, and started out as a webcomic so there's an extra bit of something there for everyone. This is ultimately fine.
May 23, 2017
A quirky adventure, good plotting & interesting art!
September 19, 2017
Danger and mystery in the Outlands of Crutonia.
October 3, 2017
Bright, colorful, loads of interesting characters, but I think it is a bit gruesome for the elementary kids it is meant for, just my opinion. Too much killing and violence.
June 11, 2018
Very good graphic novel. Ready for more in the series.
June 25, 2018
Fraggles! These guys totally look like Fraggles <3
January 1, 2019
See my full review on No Flying No Tights: http://www.noflyingnotights.com/blog/...
December 19, 2019
Was good I liked though it was a little boring
October 29, 2020
2.5 stars.
Want to Read
April 17, 2021Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
March 31, 2022
Liked: new world vibes, mystery
Beware: some violence
Overall impression: muppets thrown into classic lost world literature
Beware: some violence
Overall impression: muppets thrown into classic lost world literature
March 7, 2017
Christie, Robert and Deborah Lang Quirk’s Quest: Into the Outlands, 126 pgs. GRAPHIC NOVEL First Second, 2016. $16.99 Content: PG.
Quirk is a bumbling captain who leads a party to discover the outer edges of Crutonia. From the get go, they encounter danger and their boat is destroyed leaving them abandoned on an unknown land. They find a cave and at first think they have found someone to help them named Hukka, but then Hukka starts to perform magic that is harmful. Quirk has to get his people safely away and at the same time he still tries to discover everything he can about the land.
I wanted to like this book and at times I thought, “Okay, it’s getting better”, but overall there is just too much going on. One problem is that there are times Quirk writes in cursive, using a hard to read font and I know a lot of kids who can’t read cursive. Second, there are A LOT of characters and they all have really unusual names making it impossible to keep track of everyone. Third, just when I thought I might find out what was wrong with Hukka and how Quirk was going to solve the problem, the story ends leaving it open for a series. I would pass on reading anything else in a series, and wouldn’t recommend this book. The illustrations look like Fraggle Rock characters which is cute, but the story line is boring and doesn’t end up going anywhere.
EL – NO. Reviewer, C. Peterson.
Quirk is a bumbling captain who leads a party to discover the outer edges of Crutonia. From the get go, they encounter danger and their boat is destroyed leaving them abandoned on an unknown land. They find a cave and at first think they have found someone to help them named Hukka, but then Hukka starts to perform magic that is harmful. Quirk has to get his people safely away and at the same time he still tries to discover everything he can about the land.
I wanted to like this book and at times I thought, “Okay, it’s getting better”, but overall there is just too much going on. One problem is that there are times Quirk writes in cursive, using a hard to read font and I know a lot of kids who can’t read cursive. Second, there are A LOT of characters and they all have really unusual names making it impossible to keep track of everyone. Third, just when I thought I might find out what was wrong with Hukka and how Quirk was going to solve the problem, the story ends leaving it open for a series. I would pass on reading anything else in a series, and wouldn’t recommend this book. The illustrations look like Fraggle Rock characters which is cute, but the story line is boring and doesn’t end up going anywhere.
EL – NO. Reviewer, C. Peterson.
October 15, 2016
Strange little graphic novel, but one I very much enjoyed. We'll be discussing this one as well as three other First Second titles on an upcoming edition of The Comics Alternative for Young Readers.
October 30, 2016
http://openbooksociety.com/article/qu...
Review:
Captain Quirk is out for King and Country as he is charted to explore the ‘unknown regions’ that ply the lands surrounding his home. Quirk’s Quest: Into the Outlands is a thoroughly delightful adventure that carries with it a unique art style that readers are bound to take delight in. Deep in scope, yet easily read and digestible, Into the Badlands offers the perfect mix between art and story content leaving, myself included, wanting more. There is just such a wealth of material to explore here, it would be a shame not to continue.
The plot is something out of “Star Trek,” of which I’m sure Captain Quirk is an alternate version of the more notorious Captain of the Enterprise. Essentially, Quirk is assigned a long term mission to search out, map, explore strange new places, meet and catalog strange new cultures and flora and fauna, and new civilizations – so the story goes. Although the ship is lost in its first encounter, the thinly veiled resemblance to “Star Trek” is uncanny. A definite testament to the writing/artist talents of Christie and Lang, who have lovingly crafted this wild and wonderful world and it’s (oft lethal to the red shirts – the militia and swabs men) inhabitants. Rising action is the order of the day, and the plot twists and turns owe more to the “Twilight Zone” than to anything else. Given the cast of characters, of whom each receives their own voice, and I’d bank on this. It is the beginning of a tale, not the end, however so readers looking for closure, might not find it here. If nothing else, it prepares you for what is to come.
The artwork can best be described as ‘The Fraggles” meets Dr. Seuss. In that deft line that the good Doctor put pen to the page, this follows, with it, a hint of Muppet madness. Different species inhabit this unique environ, and these Muppet-like creatures adorn it. Keeping the detail consistent between foreground and background plays a key element here, and help ground the characters to their world. The art reads clearly; the eye always knowing where to go in the six-panel layout. The lines are determined and the characters unique in their own unique ways. Playful, yet serious at the same time, the readers come to love the cast (and crew)! Overall, it’s the culmination between word and picture that brings this book to the fore and center. It is truly an enchanting work of art. Word balloons are placed appropriately, and do not obscure the action. Given the scope of what happens over the coure of the graphic novel, this style of art is suitable one-hundred per cent.
Together, Quirk’s Quest: Into the Outlands is sure to please readers of all ages and backgrounds. Both the writing and the artwork ease the reader gently in to the story – breeding a realm of familiarity in any demographic. The humor is multi-faceted, appealing to both the young and the old, and the story, is a flight of fancy that every lover of graphic art should add to his or her collection. Kudos to Christie and Lang for a delightful, fun read.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
Review:
Captain Quirk is out for King and Country as he is charted to explore the ‘unknown regions’ that ply the lands surrounding his home. Quirk’s Quest: Into the Outlands is a thoroughly delightful adventure that carries with it a unique art style that readers are bound to take delight in. Deep in scope, yet easily read and digestible, Into the Badlands offers the perfect mix between art and story content leaving, myself included, wanting more. There is just such a wealth of material to explore here, it would be a shame not to continue.
The plot is something out of “Star Trek,” of which I’m sure Captain Quirk is an alternate version of the more notorious Captain of the Enterprise. Essentially, Quirk is assigned a long term mission to search out, map, explore strange new places, meet and catalog strange new cultures and flora and fauna, and new civilizations – so the story goes. Although the ship is lost in its first encounter, the thinly veiled resemblance to “Star Trek” is uncanny. A definite testament to the writing/artist talents of Christie and Lang, who have lovingly crafted this wild and wonderful world and it’s (oft lethal to the red shirts – the militia and swabs men) inhabitants. Rising action is the order of the day, and the plot twists and turns owe more to the “Twilight Zone” than to anything else. Given the cast of characters, of whom each receives their own voice, and I’d bank on this. It is the beginning of a tale, not the end, however so readers looking for closure, might not find it here. If nothing else, it prepares you for what is to come.
The artwork can best be described as ‘The Fraggles” meets Dr. Seuss. In that deft line that the good Doctor put pen to the page, this follows, with it, a hint of Muppet madness. Different species inhabit this unique environ, and these Muppet-like creatures adorn it. Keeping the detail consistent between foreground and background plays a key element here, and help ground the characters to their world. The art reads clearly; the eye always knowing where to go in the six-panel layout. The lines are determined and the characters unique in their own unique ways. Playful, yet serious at the same time, the readers come to love the cast (and crew)! Overall, it’s the culmination between word and picture that brings this book to the fore and center. It is truly an enchanting work of art. Word balloons are placed appropriately, and do not obscure the action. Given the scope of what happens over the coure of the graphic novel, this style of art is suitable one-hundred per cent.
Together, Quirk’s Quest: Into the Outlands is sure to please readers of all ages and backgrounds. Both the writing and the artwork ease the reader gently in to the story – breeding a realm of familiarity in any demographic. The humor is multi-faceted, appealing to both the young and the old, and the story, is a flight of fancy that every lover of graphic art should add to his or her collection. Kudos to Christie and Lang for a delightful, fun read.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
February 15, 2017
This graphic novel promises high adventure when its crew of characters, led by Captain Quenterindy Quirk, set out to explore the outer islands of Crutonia. A mere few days into the expedition find the crew besieged by giants that devour their ship, leaving them stranded on a remote island. The castaways find shelter in a cave inhabited by Hukka, a one-eyed sorceress, who only lets them stay for three days. Fearing the giants, what’s left of the crew befriend the happy, friendly Yoon, another group of creatures that are poisonous to the giants. Will the survivors escape the island to complete their mission? The cliffhanger ending suggests a sequel. This fast paced, engaging title features plot twists and an abundance of Muppet-like characters. An appendix highlights “Characters of Note” and will help readers keep track of the key players. The multi-hued cartoon panels are bright and appealing. The brainy intellectual vocabulary of the verbose captain and the unusual character names are probably more suited to upper middle readers. Fans of the Amulet series and Bone adventures will no doubt enjoy this title as well.
February 14, 2017
3.5? I enjoyed this, actually, but couldn't get over the feeling that it was a story told by the Fraggle's Uncle Traveling Matt. 3rd-4th
October 14, 2016
Quirk's Quest: Into the Outlands by Robert Christie & Deborah Lang
First Second, 2016
Fantasy/Graphic Novel
127 pages
Recommended for grades 4-6
This story will appeal to readers that like high fantasy and stories with action packed pace.
When Quirk and his crew are shipwrecked on unknown lands, danger is high and a way out is unknown. The crew is surrounded by new creatures, unsure of who is safe to trust, and who is out to get them. The illustrations remind me of fraggles (does this date me?) with a touch of the Simpsons. The story sets itself up to lead right into the second book in the series. I do have some qualms about the book though: many of the words used and names chosen might trip up some readers. The story is not as deep as the language might play up. The cursive script used in the Captain's log is also a potential pitfall for some readers.
First Second, 2016
Fantasy/Graphic Novel
127 pages
Recommended for grades 4-6
This story will appeal to readers that like high fantasy and stories with action packed pace.
When Quirk and his crew are shipwrecked on unknown lands, danger is high and a way out is unknown. The crew is surrounded by new creatures, unsure of who is safe to trust, and who is out to get them. The illustrations remind me of fraggles (does this date me?) with a touch of the Simpsons. The story sets itself up to lead right into the second book in the series. I do have some qualms about the book though: many of the words used and names chosen might trip up some readers. The story is not as deep as the language might play up. The cursive script used in the Captain's log is also a potential pitfall for some readers.
January 4, 2018
The first time I attempted to read this I didn't get very far. The story seemed boring, the "captain's log" was difficult to read due to the chosen font, and the art kept reminding me of Fraggle Rock. However I decided to give it one more chance. I just ignored the captain's log parts and tried to not think of Fraggles. It was okay. Still don't think it was anything special, but mildly interesting. I won't be reading anymore in the series but as a librarian I know some children that will likely enjoy the entire graphic adventure.
October 29, 2016
The art is cute but otherwise, it did nothing for me. Nothing really happens and there's no explanation for what little does happen. Plus all the names are unpronounceable and there are made-up words which are just plain annoying.
December 6, 2016
A very well designed and produced book as is always the case with First Second. The illustrations have a sort of Fraggle Rock feel to them and the story line was rather goofy but interesting. Readers of the Rick Riordan series are a natural for this fantasy GN.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews