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Rickety Stitch and the Gelatinous Goo #1
The Road to Epoli
Meet Rickety Stitch . . . a walking, talking, singing skeleton minstrel. He's the one skeleton in the dungeon who seems to have retained his soul, and he has no idea why.
His only clue to his former identity is a song he hears snippets of in his dreams, an epic bard's tale about the Road to Epoli and the land of Eem.
His sidekick and sole friend is the gelatinous Goo, who Rickety alone can understand. Together they set out in search of Rickety's past, with abundant humor and danger galore.
His only clue to his former identity is a song he hears snippets of in his dreams, an epic bard's tale about the Road to Epoli and the land of Eem.
His sidekick and sole friend is the gelatinous Goo, who Rickety alone can understand. Together they set out in search of Rickety's past, with abundant humor and danger galore.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published June 6, 2017
27 people are currently reading
666 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
November 3, 2017
Rickety Stitch is a songweaver or minstrel questing for who he used to me. He can't remember who he was as a human and he doesn't act like other skeletons. His side kick is Gelatinous Goo; the strangest side-kick to ever be conceived.
The story is full of surprises and I certainly couldn't predict what was going to happen next. The writing is good and funny. Stitch is a good skeleton. He keeps dreaming of a song telling him to make his way to Epoli. I am supposing that will come later in the future novels.
The art is warm and vibrant with some creepy thrown in. There is plenty of quirky in here as well. The characters are interesting. A grand adventure. I will stick with this series if there are more.
The story is full of surprises and I certainly couldn't predict what was going to happen next. The writing is good and funny. Stitch is a good skeleton. He keeps dreaming of a song telling him to make his way to Epoli. I am supposing that will come later in the future novels.
The art is warm and vibrant with some creepy thrown in. There is plenty of quirky in here as well. The characters are interesting. A grand adventure. I will stick with this series if there are more.
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July 20, 2017You know when you finish a book and your first thought is that more people need to know about this story? That’s how I felt finishing Rickety Stitch. It’s a weird and wonderful tale about a skeleton bard searching for clues about the man he used to be. The humor is punny and irreverent, and the art is bold and gorgeous. There’s also an accompanying song, which has been stuck in my head for days. This book is just my brand of weird. —Kelly (https://www.bookish.com/articles/staf...)
December 17, 2016
Eerie, funny, intriguing, touching -- everything you could want in a graphic novel. But it's barely suitable for kids, so I think the decision to market it for children instead of adults is bizarre.
Nevertheless, grown-up peeps: this is really really good.
Nevertheless, grown-up peeps: this is really really good.
September 14, 2017
Not for me. The humor is probably too juvenile for most adult readers, but some of the themes are too mature for middle grade readers.
December 7, 2017
Read this short, cute/creepy graphic novel in about an hour in my desperate bid to reach my Goodreads Challenge Goal before the rapidly approaching new year. (SHOULD IT BE THAT HARD TO READ 35 BOOKS IN A YEAR, STEFAN? No. It should not.) Anyway. I'm glad I did. It's got a Don Quixote vibe, and a Dungeons-&-Dragons-with-a-twist feel (I love the idea of a skeleton member of the dark lord's undead army escaping and going his own quest).
So, the world-building hook intrigued me from the get-go, and the rest - some funny illustrations, a sentient blob of goo, a mysterious city that the MC is trying to reach - were good, too. Some of the reviews on here are unsure who might like this and I agree the tone is every which way in places. I'd definitely be more likely to recommend it to grownups than kids. That said, reviews pondering whether other people will like a book are the most boring reviews because the question is not "will utter strangers whose tastes I have no clue about like this" but "did Iiiiii like it."
I liked it a lot. :)
So, the world-building hook intrigued me from the get-go, and the rest - some funny illustrations, a sentient blob of goo, a mysterious city that the MC is trying to reach - were good, too. Some of the reviews on here are unsure who might like this and I agree the tone is every which way in places. I'd definitely be more likely to recommend it to grownups than kids. That said, reviews pondering whether other people will like a book are the most boring reviews because the question is not "will utter strangers whose tastes I have no clue about like this" but "did Iiiiii like it."
I liked it a lot. :)
June 4, 2017
Gooey is my new favourite sidekick.
October 8, 2017
His name is Rickety, Rickety Stitch, which totally makes sense, because he’s a singing skeleton. And if Rickety is Don Quixote, then Gelatinous Goo, a sack of, well, you know, goo, is his Sancho Panza.
When Rickety is fired from his dungeon job by the Chief Execution Officer, he and Goo embark on a journey to a new way of life and pursue some questions Rickety has about his origins. Like the recurring dream in which a song about the road to Epoli comes back to him piece by piece. Other dreams show him a troubling past of life in exile and a powerful evil force. As Rickety and Goo continue to travel, they perform at a bar that looks like it belongs on Mos Eisley and are lucky to leave with their lives intact. Then, they enter the Grimly Wood, where Rickety lets the mischievous imp, Zigglidorglymorkin, lead him to the forest ogre. The ogre (full name: Golo the Gargantuan, Ogre-Spawn of Gordak, Glutton King of Grimly Wood) takes Goo captive, and Rickety becomes responsible for planning an elaborate escape.
Rest of review is here:
http://noflyingnotights.com/blog/2017...
When Rickety is fired from his dungeon job by the Chief Execution Officer, he and Goo embark on a journey to a new way of life and pursue some questions Rickety has about his origins. Like the recurring dream in which a song about the road to Epoli comes back to him piece by piece. Other dreams show him a troubling past of life in exile and a powerful evil force. As Rickety and Goo continue to travel, they perform at a bar that looks like it belongs on Mos Eisley and are lucky to leave with their lives intact. Then, they enter the Grimly Wood, where Rickety lets the mischievous imp, Zigglidorglymorkin, lead him to the forest ogre. The ogre (full name: Golo the Gargantuan, Ogre-Spawn of Gordak, Glutton King of Grimly Wood) takes Goo captive, and Rickety becomes responsible for planning an elaborate escape.
Rest of review is here:
http://noflyingnotights.com/blog/2017...
May 8, 2017
To be honest, I thought that this book was boring. It was almost painful to read and I couldn't even finish it. It would be better for younger kids.
March 5, 2017
I don't usually read graphic novels, but when I got this one for review, I was pretty curious about it. Because that cover is pretty awesome. And I thought the story sounded pretty interesting too. I just read this one, and sadly, I didn't like it all that much. Aw. But there were parts that I enjoyed a bit.
Like the gorgeous illustrations. I found all the images to be stunning. The skeleton looks pretty awesome. And I liked looking at the pictures, haha. I just didn't think the story was very good. I'm not sure what age group this is for, but it says above twelve. At times it felt very adult, yet also so childish.
And so I'm not sure who to recommend this to. But I sure do know that I do not think children should read it, because it isn't for kids at all. But still, nothing too adult about it either. Sigh. Anyway. I had a lot of issues with this one, sadly. And I think that the only thing I enjoyed about this book was the artwork. Aw. And that it was a fast read, lol. I'm glad I gave it a try, though. I do wish to read more graphic novels. I just wish this one had been a lot better. I also don't get the title, The Road to Epoli. As they spent this whole first book in a forest. Hmph. There will be other books, I think, that will be on the road to Epoli. But I won't be reading those. Though I am sort of curious to know what happens next. I am just not curious enough.
This book tells the story of Rickety Stitch. He's a living skeleton. He also sings. Though he sings rather terribly, and no one likes listening to him. We learn a little bit about him in this book, though I didn't really care at all. Aw. But I really liked seeing the pages from his dreams. Those were interesting. And I wanted to know more about that. This whole book is in color, which I loved, except for all his dreams, which are black and white. So pretty. This skeleton is sort of interesting to read about, yet I didn't really care for him.
He has one friend, the Gelatinous Goo. Aka some jelly thingy. Seemed sort of cute. Except, well, they both go drinking in this book, and I didn't really care for that scene at all. It was a bit disturbing. Aw. Oh, well. There are a bunch of characters in this book. Some of them kind of interesting. Like the gnome. But some just really annoying, like the imp. I didn't like his character at all. Lying creature. Though he did look cute, sometimes. There are jokes in this book, I suppose, but they were a bit too adult for this age group.
I'm not sure what else I wish to say about this book. There isn't really that much to mention. It was just over two hundred pages, I think, and it was a quick read. The story was interesting at times, but I found most of it to be boring. At least the drawings were pretty. I wish I had liked this book more, but that just wasn't the case. Still, I'm glad I gave it a try. Huge thank you to the publisher for sending me this ARC to review while I was in Chicago. Means the most. It sure is gorgeous. Curious to know what others think.
---
This review was first posted on my blog, Carina's Books, here: http://carinabooks.blogspot.no/2017/0...
Like the gorgeous illustrations. I found all the images to be stunning. The skeleton looks pretty awesome. And I liked looking at the pictures, haha. I just didn't think the story was very good. I'm not sure what age group this is for, but it says above twelve. At times it felt very adult, yet also so childish.
And so I'm not sure who to recommend this to. But I sure do know that I do not think children should read it, because it isn't for kids at all. But still, nothing too adult about it either. Sigh. Anyway. I had a lot of issues with this one, sadly. And I think that the only thing I enjoyed about this book was the artwork. Aw. And that it was a fast read, lol. I'm glad I gave it a try, though. I do wish to read more graphic novels. I just wish this one had been a lot better. I also don't get the title, The Road to Epoli. As they spent this whole first book in a forest. Hmph. There will be other books, I think, that will be on the road to Epoli. But I won't be reading those. Though I am sort of curious to know what happens next. I am just not curious enough.
This book tells the story of Rickety Stitch. He's a living skeleton. He also sings. Though he sings rather terribly, and no one likes listening to him. We learn a little bit about him in this book, though I didn't really care at all. Aw. But I really liked seeing the pages from his dreams. Those were interesting. And I wanted to know more about that. This whole book is in color, which I loved, except for all his dreams, which are black and white. So pretty. This skeleton is sort of interesting to read about, yet I didn't really care for him.
He has one friend, the Gelatinous Goo. Aka some jelly thingy. Seemed sort of cute. Except, well, they both go drinking in this book, and I didn't really care for that scene at all. It was a bit disturbing. Aw. Oh, well. There are a bunch of characters in this book. Some of them kind of interesting. Like the gnome. But some just really annoying, like the imp. I didn't like his character at all. Lying creature. Though he did look cute, sometimes. There are jokes in this book, I suppose, but they were a bit too adult for this age group.
I'm not sure what else I wish to say about this book. There isn't really that much to mention. It was just over two hundred pages, I think, and it was a quick read. The story was interesting at times, but I found most of it to be boring. At least the drawings were pretty. I wish I had liked this book more, but that just wasn't the case. Still, I'm glad I gave it a try. Huge thank you to the publisher for sending me this ARC to review while I was in Chicago. Means the most. It sure is gorgeous. Curious to know what others think.
---
This review was first posted on my blog, Carina's Books, here: http://carinabooks.blogspot.no/2017/0...
March 9, 2017
This is a fun graphic novel that puts a satirical spin on medieval fantasy yarns. At first I thought it might be a ripoff of one of my favorite book series from a few years ago, "Skullduggery Pleasant," because that too has a walking, talking, witty and clothed skeleton for a main character, and how often do you see *that* in books for teens?! But this is entirely different, aside from those initial similarities. Our friend Rickety is a troubadour (or minstrel), lives in a vaguely medieval time period, and has weird dreams/nightmares of surviving a horrible battle, all underlaid with the strains of an epic ballad that he can not *quite* remember when he wakes up. (I loved that the book is in color but those dreams/memories are in black and white.) Rickety has a weird little friend, The Gelatinous Goo, a cube of, well, goo, whose incomprehensible noises only Rickety can understand. The Goo is quite funny and pretty expressive for a blue glob of Jell-O, it's really hilarious as a sidekick! The two get fired from their job haunting a dungeon, and, all alone in the world, Rickety decides to try to figure out where he's from, what he was like as a living human, and what IS that song all about, "The Road to Epoli"? Along their journey through "Grimly Wood" they encounter an imp, they get mixed up with a nasty giant ogre, and there's a cute gnome named "L. Nerman Fuddle" (really, the names in this book are hilarious! At one point the imp disguises himself as "Chet Whistlefeet"), and then there comes the heart of the story, the evil of course, and more fantasy tropes twisted around a bit. OH! Did I mention the unicorn?! Because it's not your normal shy unicorn! I won't go on, but I do hope this series goes on for quite a bit, because I had a terrific time reading it. Rickety is snide and witty and yet also mournful--he has a soul. There are some innuendo jokes for older readers and plenty of gross-out humor for younger readers. The expressive bold art is great, too. Amazing how many expressions you can put on a cartoon skeleton's skull face!
I read an advance reader copy of this book, due for publication in June 2017.
I read an advance reader copy of this book, due for publication in June 2017.
June 25, 2017
Don't get me wrong. Mr. Jelly and the Skellytones is an excellent band name.
This is such a weird and wonderful graphic novel. It tells the tale of a skeleton bard on a quest to discover who he was before he died. He's guided by a song that he only remembers in his dreams, and he's joined on his journey by his best friend, a blob of goo who speaks in punctuation marks that only Rickety can understand.
The plot is great for fantasy fans who like to see familiar quest tropes played with in new ways. The humor is punny, irreverent, and very tongue-in-cheek. And there's also plenty of heart and a nice focus on friendship and finding out who you are.
The art is gorgeous. Rickety's dreams are told in black and white, while his waking days are in full color. The color choices are bold (we have a unicorn with a hot pink mane), and the characters' facial expressions are on point. Who knew a skull and blob of goo could be so expressive?
I had hoped that the badass female knight with the shaved head on the cover would make a longer appearance, and my fingers are crossed that she plays a larger role in the sequel.
This was a really fun read, and I'm already excited for the sequel. It's the kind of story that I enjoy the more I think about it.
Also, the creators put together wonderful recording of Rickety's song for anyone (like me) who was curious about what it truly sounded like: https://ricketystitch.com/song
I've seen outlets recommend this for readers of Nimona and I completely agree, but would say this is a completely different type of story. But if you're up for a funny, strange, fantasy adventure, this is a great one.
This is such a weird and wonderful graphic novel. It tells the tale of a skeleton bard on a quest to discover who he was before he died. He's guided by a song that he only remembers in his dreams, and he's joined on his journey by his best friend, a blob of goo who speaks in punctuation marks that only Rickety can understand.
The plot is great for fantasy fans who like to see familiar quest tropes played with in new ways. The humor is punny, irreverent, and very tongue-in-cheek. And there's also plenty of heart and a nice focus on friendship and finding out who you are.
The art is gorgeous. Rickety's dreams are told in black and white, while his waking days are in full color. The color choices are bold (we have a unicorn with a hot pink mane), and the characters' facial expressions are on point. Who knew a skull and blob of goo could be so expressive?
I had hoped that the badass female knight with the shaved head on the cover would make a longer appearance, and my fingers are crossed that she plays a larger role in the sequel.
This was a really fun read, and I'm already excited for the sequel. It's the kind of story that I enjoy the more I think about it.
Also, the creators put together wonderful recording of Rickety's song for anyone (like me) who was curious about what it truly sounded like: https://ricketystitch.com/song
I've seen outlets recommend this for readers of Nimona and I completely agree, but would say this is a completely different type of story. But if you're up for a funny, strange, fantasy adventure, this is a great one.
June 12, 2021
Fun! This has both goofy shenanigans/colorful characters and Actual Serious Plot Stuff, which is one of my favorite storytelling combos when the right balance is hit, as it is here. There are a few off-color jokes and a couple mild swears, which is a shame since the fun characters and art would definitely attract kids, but I think it might be heading in a darker direction anyway, so? Teens and up, I guess? (I'm assuming there's going to be more since a lot of questions were left unanswered and also the rad-looking lady knight was BARELY IN IT, SHE HAD LIKE FIVE PANELS and I mean don't get me wrong I still really enjoyed it but I was waiting for the awesome lady knight the whole time so she'd better be a more prominent character in the next one)
September 21, 2017
This book was a joy and a delight. Set in a D&D-ish fantasy world, it opens with our heroes Rickety Stitch (a reanimated skeleton minstrel) and his dear friend the Gelatinous Goo being fired from their jobs in a corporate dungeon. Seeking better prospects they hit the road. Rickety plays the part of a happy-go-lucky wanderer but when he sleeps he dreams of a haunting song, and the fact of his existence is very strange. Most animated skeletons are mindless automatons who work day and night. But Rickety has a heart, a soul, and soon, a goal: follow the path of his dream song and find the road to Epoli.
January 4, 2017
Rickety Stitch is a wonderful experience. The story is compelling and very well presented, the art is absolutely charming, and the humor is all there.
I highly recommend reading through it, I enjoyed every page, and can't wait for more.
I highly recommend reading through it, I enjoyed every page, and can't wait for more.
January 27, 2017
Reading this comic was a surreal experience. Despite the ghastly elements of Rickety's world that are hinted at throughout, it gave me a warm and whimsical feeling. The artwork is simple but memorable.
February 5, 2024
This book felt so middle of the pack to me. To much of it felt unimportant and boring. The characters were not memorable. When the songs were written in cursive it was hard to read. It wasn’t a bad book but also not great. I won’t be reading the sequel.
January 27, 2017
Rickety Stitch is a cool dude. Yeah.
Gelatinous Goo is a cool dude. Yeah.
Their adventures together are funny and fun. I love them.
Gelatinous Goo is a cool dude. Yeah.
Their adventures together are funny and fun. I love them.
June 14, 2018
Beautiful art with a fun, fantastical story! Rickety Stitch is a hoot and I love Gelatinous Goo! Impatiently awaiting volume 2!
February 8, 2023
Plot
Sure, Rickety Stitch is a skeleton, but he's also an intelligent minstrel, though perhaps a little lazy. Does it really matter if the dungeon's torture devices are still dirty for the next victims? I mean, come on. His supervisor at Subterranean Pits and Lairs LLC is not impressed, and neither is his boss. Rickety Stitch and his bestie Goo get fired without severance pay, and so the two decide to embark on an adventure to figure out Rickety's mysterious past that he's got no memory of. The only thing he can remember are awful skeletony dreams with song lyrics that invade his waking life.
Along their quest they meet an imp called Zigglidorglmorkin who accompanies Ritckety Stich on his quest to find a gnome, but he's following orders from his hungry ogre master. Can Rickety Stitch trust the imp? Will the Gelatinous Goo be consumed by the ogre?
Review
This was a fun start to an adventure. I really like the art and how it switched between the current day story in color, to Rickety's dreams in black and white sketches. I sang along with my own tune throughout the book, and appreciated that the song in its entirety is in the end of the book. However, they do have the song up on YouTube, and my mental version was way better. It's fun having interactive online content for books, especially if it still exists years later! I've already checked out the ebook version of the second volume. This series is published over the last five? years, and I am curious if there will be more than the three published.
Notes:
There is a lot of bodily fluid, perfect for middle schoolers who giggle about poo, butts, and mucus. I mean, an imp getting shot out of an ogre's snotty nose?? So hilariously gross if you're 12. No romance, just some bromance with old and new friends, so the middle grade boys will appreciate this more. Eyeroll.
Contains: torture, death, bodily fluids, imp butt shots [gasp!], drinking.
Sure, Rickety Stitch is a skeleton, but he's also an intelligent minstrel, though perhaps a little lazy. Does it really matter if the dungeon's torture devices are still dirty for the next victims? I mean, come on. His supervisor at Subterranean Pits and Lairs LLC is not impressed, and neither is his boss. Rickety Stitch and his bestie Goo get fired without severance pay, and so the two decide to embark on an adventure to figure out Rickety's mysterious past that he's got no memory of. The only thing he can remember are awful skeletony dreams with song lyrics that invade his waking life.
Along their quest they meet an imp called Zigglidorglmorkin who accompanies Ritckety Stich on his quest to find a gnome, but he's following orders from his hungry ogre master. Can Rickety Stitch trust the imp? Will the Gelatinous Goo be consumed by the ogre?
Review
This was a fun start to an adventure. I really like the art and how it switched between the current day story in color, to Rickety's dreams in black and white sketches. I sang along with my own tune throughout the book, and appreciated that the song in its entirety is in the end of the book. However, they do have the song up on YouTube, and my mental version was way better. It's fun having interactive online content for books, especially if it still exists years later! I've already checked out the ebook version of the second volume. This series is published over the last five? years, and I am curious if there will be more than the three published.
Notes:
There is a lot of bodily fluid, perfect for middle schoolers who giggle about poo, butts, and mucus. I mean, an imp getting shot out of an ogre's snotty nose?? So hilariously gross if you're 12. No romance, just some bromance with old and new friends, so the middle grade boys will appreciate this more. Eyeroll.
Contains: torture, death, bodily fluids, imp butt shots [gasp!], drinking.
June 17, 2019
Imagine a stereotypical tabletop RPG setting: fantasy land of some vague medieval flavor, filled with ruins and dungeons holding monsters and treasure. Now imagine that those dungeons actually have their own capitalistic economy, the monsters are all workers with terrible benefits, and you can be fired for not being a good enough monster.
...Which is, of course, exactly what happens to our heros: Rickety Stitch the skeleton (prefers lute-playing and singing to scaring, likes to sleep instead of being 24/7 silent drudge) and the Gelatinous Goo (afraid of the dark, of which there is an abundance in dungeons) get fired from their dungeon, tossed into the wastes, and decide to wander around trying to figure out who Rickety Stitch was before he died, and why he was dreams of a far-away, long-forgotten city.
It's a pretty solid story, with Rickety and the Goo meeting people who may be able to help and expanding the reader's understanding of the story's world. There's humor--not Squirrel Girl levels of self-aware and referential patter, but a bit ("Can I still put you down as a reference?" Rickety asks as he's thrown out of the dungeon). It's got a bit more humor and self-awareness than a straight high-fantasy setting, but it's not a laugh-out-loud story: at its core, this is the story of Rickety's quest.
The art is expressive and bright, easy to follow and rarely muddled or confusing.
Also, "Rickety Stitch" is just fun to say.
...Which is, of course, exactly what happens to our heros: Rickety Stitch the skeleton (prefers lute-playing and singing to scaring, likes to sleep instead of being 24/7 silent drudge) and the Gelatinous Goo (afraid of the dark, of which there is an abundance in dungeons) get fired from their dungeon, tossed into the wastes, and decide to wander around trying to figure out who Rickety Stitch was before he died, and why he was dreams of a far-away, long-forgotten city.
It's a pretty solid story, with Rickety and the Goo meeting people who may be able to help and expanding the reader's understanding of the story's world. There's humor--not Squirrel Girl levels of self-aware and referential patter, but a bit ("Can I still put you down as a reference?" Rickety asks as he's thrown out of the dungeon). It's got a bit more humor and self-awareness than a straight high-fantasy setting, but it's not a laugh-out-loud story: at its core, this is the story of Rickety's quest.
The art is expressive and bright, easy to follow and rarely muddled or confusing.
Also, "Rickety Stitch" is just fun to say.
June 4, 2021
This is a cute graphic novel that follows a skeleton in search of his past and his gelatinous goo friend. Along their adventure to meet many colorful characters - gnomes, unicorn, imps, etc. It took me longer than I expected to get into it. The characters are somewhat bland but given the graphic novel nature, it was a quick read. It kept my interest enough that I'll continue with the series (there are currently three novels available). The book also leans heavily on a song which might have been part of my problem as I couldn't put it to a tune or rhythm - luckily I found, at the end, that they have the song on their website.
October 1, 2018
Truly a good and funny story. I didn't expect to get so emotionally involved. I love the darker over-story spanning over a more light hearted, goofy, snot-spattered first arc. It reminds me of a more PG-rated Adventure Zone like that, in a way. I'm excited to see where the Road to Epoli goes in the future. (Hopefully Xorgana's on it again.)
Read
October 16, 2023Funny quick read
July 1, 2024
Skeleton man crazy funny fr
September 7, 2021
This was way more fun than I was expecting! 💀😈
Read
November 21, 2017Cute journey of a skeleton with a soul and his best friend, a shopping bag-shaped goo.
I'm surprised that this book is YA - the jokes and the sense of humor is more in tune with a tween audience. And one nitpicky thing - I wish it had page numbers.
I'm surprised that this book is YA - the jokes and the sense of humor is more in tune with a tween audience. And one nitpicky thing - I wish it had page numbers.
July 9, 2017
What's up, guys! This was a delightful read. More than ever it makes me really want to publish my first book. This one's going to be pretty short, almost like a mini review.
STORY:
Rickety Stitch and the Gelatinous Goo: The Road to Epoli by Ben Costa & James Parks (208 pages) is about Rickety, a free-thinking skeleton who comically misses the point and has some disturbing dreams. Recently through a haunting song that stirs up memories in Rickety's head and after being fired from a dungeon-keeper job, he decides to go on a journey to discover who/what he was before a singing skeleton.
I hadn't expected too much out of this story besides some awesome art, but I found the story kind of heartwarming. To be honest not too much happens in this book. I will say it's a great set up because I am eager for the second book.
CHARACTERS:
Rickety Stitch— had a lovely cast of characters. The female knight only made a cameo this book, but I am certain we will see more of her come the next one.
Rickety seems pretty sweet. He really doesn't understand much about the world or himself, but he knows he loves his friends and his hilariously bad music gigs.
Goo! Not much to say about him, but he was very clever.
I enjoyed Ziggy, the friendless imp, the most. He had some pretty quick but good character development.
ART:
I loved the art. It had such a whimsical, storybook feel. The color direction as well was great too. The lighting in this story can go from deep browns and blues to bright grays and yellows. I just love how varied it is and how rich the colors are in this book. Great job to the colorists!
OVERALL:
You should read this story. I think it started a bit slow, but once I got involved into the story I liked it. It's sort of heartwarming at times.
Read more of my reviews here
STORY:
"You are someone, Rickety Stitch. That much I know."
Rickety Stitch and the Gelatinous Goo: The Road to Epoli by Ben Costa & James Parks (208 pages) is about Rickety, a free-thinking skeleton who comically misses the point and has some disturbing dreams. Recently through a haunting song that stirs up memories in Rickety's head and after being fired from a dungeon-keeper job, he decides to go on a journey to discover who/what he was before a singing skeleton.
I hadn't expected too much out of this story besides some awesome art, but I found the story kind of heartwarming. To be honest not too much happens in this book. I will say it's a great set up because I am eager for the second book.
CHARACTERS:
Rickety Stitch— had a lovely cast of characters. The female knight only made a cameo this book, but I am certain we will see more of her come the next one.
Rickety seems pretty sweet. He really doesn't understand much about the world or himself, but he knows he loves his friends and his hilariously bad music gigs.
Goo! Not much to say about him, but he was very clever.
I enjoyed Ziggy, the friendless imp, the most. He had some pretty quick but good character development.
ART:
I loved the art. It had such a whimsical, storybook feel. The color direction as well was great too. The lighting in this story can go from deep browns and blues to bright grays and yellows. I just love how varied it is and how rich the colors are in this book. Great job to the colorists!
OVERALL:
You should read this story. I think it started a bit slow, but once I got involved into the story I liked it. It's sort of heartwarming at times.
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September 22, 2017
Rickety Stitch is a skeleton who has somehow retained his soul and his humanity in a world where all the other skeletons have not. In this world skeletons are mindless, tireless workers. Rickety is a dreamer who is easily distracted from the job at hand. He and his best friend Gooey start traveling the country, trying to entertain people with his songs, and trying to remember who he was, and why the song about the Road to Epoli keeps coming to him in his dreams.
September 21, 2017
A lighthearted story of a skeleton with a soul on an epic quest. Colorful artwork, interesting storyline, overall, I liked it and would read more. I just feel like more could have happened in the story. I get that this is the first volume, just introducing some of the basics, but still. . . Not a whole lot happened.
July 17, 2017
A traveling bard makes his way from one bad job situation to another while drowning his sorrows in a variety of pub scenes with this friend, Goo. The illustrations remind me a bit of Raina Telgemeier's style, or Ben Hatke: they are phenomenal. Bright and round and bold and clear.
The story is less clear. I'm not the biggest fan of musical interludes, but that's a personal problem. The mystery of who Rickety Stitch is (or rather, who he was in life) persists throughout the book, which is heavy with a fair amount of humor. Overall, I enjoyed the story and look forward to more. Even less clear, however, is the intended audience. While the illustrations might be very attractive to tweens, there are multiple references to "getting hammered" and vague allusions to other more grown up activities. So I would just know your audience if you recommend this one.
Favorite characters: The Goo (which works surprisingly well), the Unicorn Xorgana (oh my goodness, her HAIR!), and the gnome Fuddle (sensible and cheerful and all things noble and good).
The story is less clear. I'm not the biggest fan of musical interludes, but that's a personal problem. The mystery of who Rickety Stitch is (or rather, who he was in life) persists throughout the book, which is heavy with a fair amount of humor. Overall, I enjoyed the story and look forward to more. Even less clear, however, is the intended audience. While the illustrations might be very attractive to tweens, there are multiple references to "getting hammered" and vague allusions to other more grown up activities. So I would just know your audience if you recommend this one.
Favorite characters: The Goo (which works surprisingly well), the Unicorn Xorgana (oh my goodness, her HAIR!), and the gnome Fuddle (sensible and cheerful and all things noble and good).
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