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Sci-Fu #1
Sci-Fu
Hip-Hop, Sci-Fi and Kung Fu all hit the turn-tables for the mash-up mix of the year! Cartoonist/force of nature Yehudi Mercado (Pantalones, TX, Rocket Salvage) sets his sights on 1980s Brooklyn and Wax, a young mix-master who scratches the perfect beat and accidentally summons a UFO that transports his family, best friend, and current crush to the robot-dominated planet of Discopia. Now Wax and his crew must master the intergalactic musical martial art of Sci-Fu to fight the power and save Earth. Word to your mother.
144 pages, Paperback
First published March 27, 2018
17 people are currently reading
812 people want to read
About the author
Yehudi Mercado
47 books45 followersYehudi Mercado is a former pizza delivery driver and art director for Disney Interactive. He is currently a writer-artist-director living in Los Angeles by way of Austin Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
September 6, 2021
A blended up puree of Scott Pilgrim and Parappa the Rapper with a swirl of Run DMC.
July 20, 2018
Not too long I attended a local comic convention in the Chicago area call C2E2. I’d been to the New York Comic Con once or twice, but that was small potatoes compared to this extravaganza. While there I had the chance to see something that a lot of librarians miss: Comics in their natural element. Comics from big publishers. Comics from small publishers. Independent artists. And, naturally, panels panels panels. On one such panel I saw publisher Charlie "Spike" Trotman of Iron Circus Comics speak about the disconnect between comic creators and libraries. As she pointed out, a lot of librarians are unaware of the vast number of comics available out there and a lot of comic creators are aware of the distinct advantages that come from getting your work in libraries. She was entirely correct on that front. Comics for kids have never been more popular than they are today, but the output available from the standard children’s presses is far outstripped by the need. Add in the fact that 90% of what you find is by white creators, featuring white characters and you’ve got yourself a disconnect. While all these thoughts percolated in my head, I heard about Sci-Fu, a book that falls right smack dab into the shouldn’t-work-but-it-does school of thought. It’s not a book that’s going to correct the schism between what’s available and what libraries provide, but it’s a pretty little babystep in the right direction.
As a kid, Wax can probably be best summed up as a boy with modest dreams. He only wants to be the greatest DJ the world has ever known. He only wants to have Pirate Polly, that incredibly cool girl down the street, as a girlfriend. He only wants to write rhymes that impress beyond measure. But Wax is just a normal kid with a best friend, little sister, and uncle. It’s the 1980s in Brooklyn and nothing out of this world has ever happened to him. Nothing, that is, until an evil alien robot hears his record scratching and interprets the sound as an intergalactic challenge. Now Wax has discovered that he, his family, and Pirate Polly have all been transported to the world of Discopia where he has very little time to master the music/kung-fu art of Sci-Fu before the baddies take him down for good.
I’m an adult that pretends that she can read a book like a kid. Until I had kids I think I honestly believed that I could read with a child’s eye. But you forget, as you age, what it’s actually like for a kid to encounter a book that’s entirely new. I come at every book with a wealth of knowledge about what’s come before, what it might be referencing, and how it compares to other books in the same genre. A lot of a time a kid doesn’t have access to that information. They’re meeting these books on their own terms, and their interpretations are vastly different from my own. It can be near impossible to actually put yourself into their shoes . . . unless you’re dealing with a book like Sci-Fu. People often talk about what happens when a white reader encounters something that is Not For Them and how discombobulated they become. That’s not wrong. I acknowledge freely that I waltz into the reading of a lot of children’s books with a sense of ownership. That’s why Sci-Fu instantly befuddled me. This book is loaded down with references that I am simply not getting. Hip-hop references. Graffiti references. Kung Fu references. Heck, from what I understand the whole first chapter is filled with visual references to Beastie Boys songs. As I read, I realized I had to let a lot of this stuff just slip past my head. It was oddly freeing, knowing as I did that I didn’t need to get any of those references to enjoy the book. After all, a strong work doesn’t need nudges and winks to its adult gatekeepers to stand on its own. Just strong storytelling and killer art.
Which isn’t to say I didn’t do my homework after reading this book. In interviews, Mr. Mercado has mentioned that the hip-hop influences on this book included Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Run DMC, and A Tribe Called Quest. Kung Fu? That’s all about the Jackie Chan. One interviewer mentioned that what the artist does in this book isn’t just referencing hip-hop and Kung Fu but “sampling” them, as you would a beat or musical through line. I liked that link he made between comics and music. It’s something that’s been explored far more on the adult side of graphic literature, but deserves some serious thought here. Mr. Mercado even went so far as to create a Spotify playlist for this book. Now it looks like I’ll have to start calling books “must reads” alongside their “must listen” playlists.
For years authors of books for kids have raided their own childhoods for their writing. Nostalgia is only a part of the reason. For many, the mantra to “write what you know” is easier when you can time travel to a point in your own past when your emotions were at their keenest and clearest. These days, however, there’s yet another reason. Set a book before the 90s and you’ve the additional advantage of telling your tale before the electronic revolution. Mobile phones and the internet are plot busters, plain and simple. That said, I think Mr. Mercado selected 80s Brooklyn as much for its place in history and the romanticism that goes with that as he did plot conveniences. And anyway, I’ve seen books that tried to make it out like scratching and flattops are contemporary, and they never go well. This book, frankly, makes more sense.
But is it any good? Actually, yes. It’s a lot of fun. I think I heard a librarian somewhere claim that the rhymes (and there are a lot of them) don’t always scan on the page, but I reject that idea outright. The scansion was never a problem, as far as I could tell. I like Mercado’s rhymes, almost as much as I like his art. True, it’s busy. If you’re a fan of pure esthetics and clean lines against single color backgrounds, this is not the book for you. Visually, the story is trying to land as much pop, vitality, energy, wit, and sheer eyeball jarring magnificence in each panel as possible without distracting the young reader away from the storyline. The end result can sometimes be a little uneven, with certain fast sequences coming across as more coherent than others, but it’s never boring and it's impossible to ignore.
In an interview, Yehudi Mercado mentioned that he’d encountered two different instances where famous DJs mentioned a link between their scratching and extraterrestrials. That’s one of those weird facts that leads artists to books like this one. Now don’t go handing this book to someone you’re trying to convert to loving comics. I’ll tell you right now, due to the complexity of the material, this is best suited for those folks that have loved comics for years and are interested in trying something new. Brown kids on graphic novel covers are rare in libraries, and black kids, sad to say, are almost unheard of, even in 2018. Seriously, walk over to any library’s comic book section and grab me three books there with black boys on their covers. This book steps into that gap with a love and affection for music and Kung Fu that few would be able to match, creating something wholly, incredibly, entirely new. Long story short: A must have for libraries nationwide.
For ages 9-12
As a kid, Wax can probably be best summed up as a boy with modest dreams. He only wants to be the greatest DJ the world has ever known. He only wants to have Pirate Polly, that incredibly cool girl down the street, as a girlfriend. He only wants to write rhymes that impress beyond measure. But Wax is just a normal kid with a best friend, little sister, and uncle. It’s the 1980s in Brooklyn and nothing out of this world has ever happened to him. Nothing, that is, until an evil alien robot hears his record scratching and interprets the sound as an intergalactic challenge. Now Wax has discovered that he, his family, and Pirate Polly have all been transported to the world of Discopia where he has very little time to master the music/kung-fu art of Sci-Fu before the baddies take him down for good.
I’m an adult that pretends that she can read a book like a kid. Until I had kids I think I honestly believed that I could read with a child’s eye. But you forget, as you age, what it’s actually like for a kid to encounter a book that’s entirely new. I come at every book with a wealth of knowledge about what’s come before, what it might be referencing, and how it compares to other books in the same genre. A lot of a time a kid doesn’t have access to that information. They’re meeting these books on their own terms, and their interpretations are vastly different from my own. It can be near impossible to actually put yourself into their shoes . . . unless you’re dealing with a book like Sci-Fu. People often talk about what happens when a white reader encounters something that is Not For Them and how discombobulated they become. That’s not wrong. I acknowledge freely that I waltz into the reading of a lot of children’s books with a sense of ownership. That’s why Sci-Fu instantly befuddled me. This book is loaded down with references that I am simply not getting. Hip-hop references. Graffiti references. Kung Fu references. Heck, from what I understand the whole first chapter is filled with visual references to Beastie Boys songs. As I read, I realized I had to let a lot of this stuff just slip past my head. It was oddly freeing, knowing as I did that I didn’t need to get any of those references to enjoy the book. After all, a strong work doesn’t need nudges and winks to its adult gatekeepers to stand on its own. Just strong storytelling and killer art.
Which isn’t to say I didn’t do my homework after reading this book. In interviews, Mr. Mercado has mentioned that the hip-hop influences on this book included Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Run DMC, and A Tribe Called Quest. Kung Fu? That’s all about the Jackie Chan. One interviewer mentioned that what the artist does in this book isn’t just referencing hip-hop and Kung Fu but “sampling” them, as you would a beat or musical through line. I liked that link he made between comics and music. It’s something that’s been explored far more on the adult side of graphic literature, but deserves some serious thought here. Mr. Mercado even went so far as to create a Spotify playlist for this book. Now it looks like I’ll have to start calling books “must reads” alongside their “must listen” playlists.
For years authors of books for kids have raided their own childhoods for their writing. Nostalgia is only a part of the reason. For many, the mantra to “write what you know” is easier when you can time travel to a point in your own past when your emotions were at their keenest and clearest. These days, however, there’s yet another reason. Set a book before the 90s and you’ve the additional advantage of telling your tale before the electronic revolution. Mobile phones and the internet are plot busters, plain and simple. That said, I think Mr. Mercado selected 80s Brooklyn as much for its place in history and the romanticism that goes with that as he did plot conveniences. And anyway, I’ve seen books that tried to make it out like scratching and flattops are contemporary, and they never go well. This book, frankly, makes more sense.
But is it any good? Actually, yes. It’s a lot of fun. I think I heard a librarian somewhere claim that the rhymes (and there are a lot of them) don’t always scan on the page, but I reject that idea outright. The scansion was never a problem, as far as I could tell. I like Mercado’s rhymes, almost as much as I like his art. True, it’s busy. If you’re a fan of pure esthetics and clean lines against single color backgrounds, this is not the book for you. Visually, the story is trying to land as much pop, vitality, energy, wit, and sheer eyeball jarring magnificence in each panel as possible without distracting the young reader away from the storyline. The end result can sometimes be a little uneven, with certain fast sequences coming across as more coherent than others, but it’s never boring and it's impossible to ignore.
In an interview, Yehudi Mercado mentioned that he’d encountered two different instances where famous DJs mentioned a link between their scratching and extraterrestrials. That’s one of those weird facts that leads artists to books like this one. Now don’t go handing this book to someone you’re trying to convert to loving comics. I’ll tell you right now, due to the complexity of the material, this is best suited for those folks that have loved comics for years and are interested in trying something new. Brown kids on graphic novel covers are rare in libraries, and black kids, sad to say, are almost unheard of, even in 2018. Seriously, walk over to any library’s comic book section and grab me three books there with black boys on their covers. This book steps into that gap with a love and affection for music and Kung Fu that few would be able to match, creating something wholly, incredibly, entirely new. Long story short: A must have for libraries nationwide.
For ages 9-12
December 13, 2018
*Received through NetGalley*
DNF
2.5
My first time reading/reviewing a "comic book" so my expectations could have been way too low or high but.... The book started off somewhat strong, then completely spiraled in my opinion.
THE GOOD
First and formost, a fun, chill, creative book with an all black cast...mostly (I'll get to that)
I no doubt got the funky feel from the artwork and characters, and it was fun and refreshing being that its not the vibes I get from most of my reading.
Here and there, I ran across some one-liners that really tickled me, so more fun points.
I really want to applaud the author for the original concept. Like I said, I don't usually reads these types of things (comics/hip hop), but it was the concept of disk jockeying mixed with kung fu, thrown in with futuristic vibes, robots and a talking snow man that really got me.
now......
THE BAD
If you somehow were keeping up with my painful updates, you will know that this book went on for WAAAAY to long, I hardly made it past the half point mark. You know when you keep reading and reading something, but when you go to look at the page count, its like you aren't moving along at all? This.
The dialog was kind of hard for me to follow. It was a lot being said, but not really....its hard to explain, but annoyed me greatly.
It didn't really stick to the "concept" very well. We got a lot of chitter from Wax and his friends and family, but not very much of the "Hip-Hop, Sci-Fi and Kung Fu". It felt like a lot could have been cut out, and more could have been focused on, explained better.
The random/timed fights that kept popping up? They should have been exciting but they just were more annoying each time.
Towards the middle.....the polly thing with the sound? Wax ignoring his family? His best friend deciding to turn on them or something? And that weird jumping into the past fight sequence? The "twist" from the bad guys? All should have got me wanting to read more but sadly just had me wanting to slam my head against a wall. This coupled with the biggest turn off for me that was....
Polly. Upon first being introduced to Wax's crush, I thought she was cute, loved her purple puff and eye patch, and I could tell she wouldn't disrupt the story. But you know what else I thought?
"How nice! Cute black girl who is the love interest that isn't displayed in a negative light."
But haha, jokes on me because guess what? Naaaaaaturally, Polly isn't African American. She is Hispanic.
!!!!!!!!!!!
I wanted this not to bother me, but reading from that point had me scratching my head like....why? For her to be cute, or nice, she must not have been able to be just black. And then I looked to Wax's sister who looks like mini terminator in a tutu at times. She has a bad attitude, a weird hairline,scary teeth and eyes, and is overall a ball of negative energy. She is also the only black girl in the book. Hmmmm....
The author is not black, so if this was intentional or not, I don't know, don't care. Maybe it was ok because when black people write things they make sure to do things like that aaaalll the time, so now its just whats expected. Stuff like this happens too much though, and just left a bad taste in my mouth so...yeah.
A cool concept and art work that no doubt takes you on a funky adventure. Was way to long for my liking taking the subject and story line, but that may differ from person to person. Not one of my strongest recommendation due to my dislikes. But hey, different strokes. -Zoe
(P.S. And now I'm confused.... Was Wax and his family African-American or not? I was getting Jamaican vibes but now I'm not sure. Seems kind of hodge podgey to me and real mish mash if so.)
DNF
2.5
My first time reading/reviewing a "comic book" so my expectations could have been way too low or high but.... The book started off somewhat strong, then completely spiraled in my opinion.
THE GOOD
First and formost, a fun, chill, creative book with an all black cast...mostly (I'll get to that)
I no doubt got the funky feel from the artwork and characters, and it was fun and refreshing being that its not the vibes I get from most of my reading.
Here and there, I ran across some one-liners that really tickled me, so more fun points.
I really want to applaud the author for the original concept. Like I said, I don't usually reads these types of things (comics/hip hop), but it was the concept of disk jockeying mixed with kung fu, thrown in with futuristic vibes, robots and a talking snow man that really got me.
now......
THE BAD
If you somehow were keeping up with my painful updates, you will know that this book went on for WAAAAY to long, I hardly made it past the half point mark. You know when you keep reading and reading something, but when you go to look at the page count, its like you aren't moving along at all? This.
The dialog was kind of hard for me to follow. It was a lot being said, but not really....its hard to explain, but annoyed me greatly.
It didn't really stick to the "concept" very well. We got a lot of chitter from Wax and his friends and family, but not very much of the "Hip-Hop, Sci-Fi and Kung Fu". It felt like a lot could have been cut out, and more could have been focused on, explained better.
The random/timed fights that kept popping up? They should have been exciting but they just were more annoying each time.
Towards the middle.....the polly thing with the sound? Wax ignoring his family? His best friend deciding to turn on them or something? And that weird jumping into the past fight sequence? The "twist" from the bad guys? All should have got me wanting to read more but sadly just had me wanting to slam my head against a wall. This coupled with the biggest turn off for me that was....
Polly. Upon first being introduced to Wax's crush, I thought she was cute, loved her purple puff and eye patch, and I could tell she wouldn't disrupt the story. But you know what else I thought?
"How nice! Cute black girl who is the love interest that isn't displayed in a negative light."
But haha, jokes on me because guess what? Naaaaaaturally, Polly isn't African American. She is Hispanic.
!!!!!!!!!!!
I wanted this not to bother me, but reading from that point had me scratching my head like....why? For her to be cute, or nice, she must not have been able to be just black. And then I looked to Wax's sister who looks like mini terminator in a tutu at times. She has a bad attitude, a weird hairline,scary teeth and eyes, and is overall a ball of negative energy. She is also the only black girl in the book. Hmmmm....
The author is not black, so if this was intentional or not, I don't know, don't care. Maybe it was ok because when black people write things they make sure to do things like that aaaalll the time, so now its just whats expected. Stuff like this happens too much though, and just left a bad taste in my mouth so...yeah.
A cool concept and art work that no doubt takes you on a funky adventure. Was way to long for my liking taking the subject and story line, but that may differ from person to person. Not one of my strongest recommendation due to my dislikes. But hey, different strokes. -Zoe
(P.S. And now I'm confused.... Was Wax and his family African-American or not? I was getting Jamaican vibes but now I'm not sure. Seems kind of hodge podgey to me and real mish mash if so.)
May 3, 2020
'Sci-Fu' with story and art by Yehudi Mercado is a graphic novel story with a mashup of hip-hop, sci-fi, and kung-fu.
Wax is a young, aspiring DJ. He seems to be more though. When his entire building (including the store downstairs) is sent hurtling off ot another planet, he finds out he has been chosen to fight off an assortment of odd looking robot (robot chicken and teddy bear anyone?). The weapon the bad guys have is a really bad tape that Wax created for his crush, but Wax is a quick study and with help, he'll get everyone back safely to Brooklyn.
I really liked the whole approach in this graphic novel. The story was a bit over the top, but it matched everything else. The humor is pretty good too. The art is a really great style and very colorful. I also liked the included playlist of songs.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Oni Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Wax is a young, aspiring DJ. He seems to be more though. When his entire building (including the store downstairs) is sent hurtling off ot another planet, he finds out he has been chosen to fight off an assortment of odd looking robot (robot chicken and teddy bear anyone?). The weapon the bad guys have is a really bad tape that Wax created for his crush, but Wax is a quick study and with help, he'll get everyone back safely to Brooklyn.
I really liked the whole approach in this graphic novel. The story was a bit over the top, but it matched everything else. The humor is pretty good too. The art is a really great style and very colorful. I also liked the included playlist of songs.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Oni Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
May 27, 2018
This book right here was given to me from a great friend and I gotta say it delivers a very unique experience. This story feels like it could make for a great cartoon series on Cartoon Network.
What I loved!
1. I appreciated the many 80s and 90s references.
2. A great number of cool henchmen that kept my interest from page to page.
3. The main enemy was a killer robot who wields a mixtape that could destroy the universe!
Totally recommended for Middle School or High School audiences. This book is Very crafty in feeling adult but is totally meant for all age readers!
What I loved!
1. I appreciated the many 80s and 90s references.
2. A great number of cool henchmen that kept my interest from page to page.
3. The main enemy was a killer robot who wields a mixtape that could destroy the universe!
Totally recommended for Middle School or High School audiences. This book is Very crafty in feeling adult but is totally meant for all age readers!
June 14, 2018
If you like Robots, DJ Battles, and Intergalactic Rivalry then this action-packed graphic novel is sure to please.
December 31, 2017
Wax is determined to be the best DJ in the world, but when his mixes accidentally answer an interstellar challenge, he'll have to be the best DJ in the universe to protect his family and friends from the robots of Discotopia, where he fights against the evil King using the ancient art of Sci-Fu, a martial art that uses sound waves as weapons.
I'm not much of a fan of rap music, but I am a musician, so I was more than intrigued about a comic that uses music to fight off alien robots! I loved all the rhyming and rhythm. I could almost hear the music in my head as I was reading the book!
The plot surprised me and kept me guessing with lots of great twists. The dialogue is snappy and kept me laughing. The characters have some great development, and I loved seeing how they each interact with each other, building trust and working together to protect their planet.
The illustrations are full of vibrant colors and it gives a very energetic feel to the panels. The fight scenes are wonderfully put together, and the action is clear and interesting.
The world of Discotopia is imaginative and playful. Even though the battles are serious, and we feel the suspense of everything being at stake for our characters, there is also such amusing humor too, so that it never feels too heavy.
A delightful read!
Disclaimer: I received an ecopy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
I'm not much of a fan of rap music, but I am a musician, so I was more than intrigued about a comic that uses music to fight off alien robots! I loved all the rhyming and rhythm. I could almost hear the music in my head as I was reading the book!
The plot surprised me and kept me guessing with lots of great twists. The dialogue is snappy and kept me laughing. The characters have some great development, and I loved seeing how they each interact with each other, building trust and working together to protect their planet.
The illustrations are full of vibrant colors and it gives a very energetic feel to the panels. The fight scenes are wonderfully put together, and the action is clear and interesting.
The world of Discotopia is imaginative and playful. Even though the battles are serious, and we feel the suspense of everything being at stake for our characters, there is also such amusing humor too, so that it never feels too heavy.
A delightful read!
Disclaimer: I received an ecopy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
March 10, 2018
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Wax is a kid from Brooklyn, he loves DJing, rapping and hanging out with his best friend. One day, as he’s DJing, something very weird happens and his entire house and the street near it is transported into another planet and dimension.
The welcoming committee is a talking snowman that tells him he’s a sci-fu master and and a giant robot that tries to kill him.
That’s when trouble starts…
When I read the synopsis, I was very intrigued. It seemed like a very interesting idea. And it was interesting. Sadly, it was also confusing, too much was happening too fast, it lacked built up. I also couldn’t feel the love between the characters and I didn’t have time to fall for them either.
It all just felt rushed. And that’s a damn shame.
Wax is a kid from Brooklyn, he loves DJing, rapping and hanging out with his best friend. One day, as he’s DJing, something very weird happens and his entire house and the street near it is transported into another planet and dimension.
The welcoming committee is a talking snowman that tells him he’s a sci-fu master and and a giant robot that tries to kill him.
That’s when trouble starts…
When I read the synopsis, I was very intrigued. It seemed like a very interesting idea. And it was interesting. Sadly, it was also confusing, too much was happening too fast, it lacked built up. I also couldn’t feel the love between the characters and I didn’t have time to fall for them either.
It all just felt rushed. And that’s a damn shame.
February 27, 2018
The illustrations are awesome and the story is fun, but the rap battles don't translate well to written text and, since the raps are kind of central to the whole concept of the book, it negatively impacted my impression of the book as a whole.
February 27, 2020
Set in the 1980s, this brightly-colored action-packed comic stars Wax, a preteen with ambitions of being the best DJ in the world. He raps and scratches with his best friend about his crush, his job working in his uncle's ice cream truck, his fierce little sister, and life in Brooklyn. One day his music sends an unexpected signal into space and an alien ship captures the whole corner of his block and transports in to Discotopia: a world of rapping robots, kung-fu masters, and hip hop battles to the death. It turns out Wax's song has accidentally entered him into a series of dangerous tests with the fate of his family and his world resting in his hands! I was really impressed by how much plot this book very effectively fit into a tight package. It moves quick but never feels rushed. A nostalgic ode to the author's childhood, delightfully playful, and hopefully the beginning of an ongoing series!
July 31, 2018
So fun! Love the rhymes, the fact that it’s set in the 80s, and the artwork is awesome!
February 10, 2018
Good little middle-grade graphic novel that manages to seamlessly connect sci-fi and hip-hop in 1980s Brooklyn. Some of the references may go over the head of younger readers, but all the knowing inclusions that Mercado adds into the narrative don't detract from the story-telling, so readers won't get drawn out or lost in this.
The art style is influenced by '80s street art, and although a few panels are noisy making it hard to distinguish the voices and stalling the narrative a few times, it adds to the over-all theme of the comic.
Would recommend for readers aged 10-14, and probably parents aged 40-60 too!
The art style is influenced by '80s street art, and although a few panels are noisy making it hard to distinguish the voices and stalling the narrative a few times, it adds to the over-all theme of the comic.
Would recommend for readers aged 10-14, and probably parents aged 40-60 too!
April 5, 2022
Really fun graphic novel with some rhyme beats within. Wax's main goal is to become the best DJ in the world, oh, and also to impress Pirate Polly, who he kinda likes. However, while playing one of his mixes, the beat accidentally becomes a portal and Wax's whole building enters a robot world and he's gotta defend them all.
Super colorful graphics with playful DJ-style language plus characters that are unique, fun, and cleverly named make this a great and engaging read for tweens. It reminds of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World meets Five Nights at Freddy's. Battles will begin and it's up to Wax and his friends to save the world!
Super colorful graphics with playful DJ-style language plus characters that are unique, fun, and cleverly named make this a great and engaging read for tweens. It reminds of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World meets Five Nights at Freddy's. Battles will begin and it's up to Wax and his friends to save the world!
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May 3, 2018
This was cool! I definitely want more.
January 16, 2022
Cute graphics and storyline. This graphic novel would be great for anyone in grade school.
August 31, 2020
The art is amazingly fun, the story is funny and pretty darn cute. I enjoyed every moment and just wish that I could actually hear the epic rap battles happening!
March 13, 2018
Have you been looking for an all ages book featuring a mostly Black cast, an ice cream truck, robot aliens, hip-hop, and cats. Well, it's finally Your Year.
Sci-Fu is a fun book, if you can stomach 80s style raps as written in the voice of young teenagers. It's silly, beautifully drawn, and perfectly colored. My one issue is that the "terrible" "worst rap ever" is really the same quality as the rest of the rap in the book that's supposed to be "the best ever", but that might be a deliberate joke on the author's part. Even if it isn't, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story.
I recommend this for kids, people looking for more all-age books with Black protagonists (and robot aliens), sci-fi fans, people who really like pink and purple in the background of comic panels, readers who scan panels looking for cool detail effects, and fans of cheesy 80s freestyle-style rap.
Sci-Fu is a fun book, if you can stomach 80s style raps as written in the voice of young teenagers. It's silly, beautifully drawn, and perfectly colored. My one issue is that the "terrible" "worst rap ever" is really the same quality as the rest of the rap in the book that's supposed to be "the best ever", but that might be a deliberate joke on the author's part. Even if it isn't, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story.
I recommend this for kids, people looking for more all-age books with Black protagonists (and robot aliens), sci-fi fans, people who really like pink and purple in the background of comic panels, readers who scan panels looking for cool detail effects, and fans of cheesy 80s freestyle-style rap.
September 18, 2023
What it’s about: Wax is a middle grader growing up in 1980s Brooklyn, and he is an aspiring DJ. He and his best friend Cooky P love to mix and scratch and rap, bringing dope beats and fresh rhymes everywhere they go.
But one day, as Wax tries to create a love song for his crush, Pirate Polly, something weird happens - his building gets sucked up into space and through a wormhole to the distant planet Discopia. Along for the ride are Cooky P, Pirate Polly, Finster the cat, Wax's sister The D, and Wax's uncle.
Before they can figure out what's going on, they're attacked by a giant robot. Wax fights him after he realizes his hand has become metallic, and accidentally manages to defeat the rampaging machine.
Suddenly, Wax is involved in a cultural war! He has to learn how to be a sci-fu master, harnessing the soundwaves of the universe to battle the Five Deadly Dangers before facing their boss, Choo Choo the killer robot (son of the robot Wax destroyed).
Wax will be trained by Kabuki Snowman - but will he be able to level up fast enough to save himself - and all of Earth?
What I thought: This is a really weird, fun, strange sci fi story with lots of 80s nostalgia - and I'm here for it! Younger readers will enjoy the action and humor; older readers will get the references that will probably go right over the target audience's head.
The art is fun and colorful, and the pages are densely packed with goings-on. I would normally expect a story with this much happening to be broken out into two or three books (which would be very disappointing), but Mercado does a great job keeping things moving right along and manages to get the whole first installment across to readers.
This could be read as a stand-alone, but it's clearly intended to carry on as a series, and I'm looking forward to getting the next installments!
Why I chose those shelves:
Content Warnings:
Bullying, violence: the bad guys are bullies who push others around and there is cartoon violence (a few robots are sliced to pieces; Wax gets bruised and cut in some fights).
Characters: BIPOC, Black, Latine, diverse: Wax and his friends are coded as Black, and Pirate Polly is coded as at least partially Latina;
Genres:
Action-adventure: This is a fight-filled, action-packed story! Romance: the MC is trying to figure out how to tell the girl he likes that he likes her - his love song becomes a pivotal part of the story; Chosen one: not explicitly stated as such, but Wax is the strongest sci-fu champion ever. and there is evidence of some Chosen One tropes as the story unfolds; Fantasy, Sci Fi, Space Opera: This mostly reads like sci fi, with robots and aliens, but there is explicit mention of magic as well, and the story plays out across planets in a rather operatic way; humor: In addition to the fun Easter egg references throughout, the story is very goofy and humorous;
Topics:
Friendship found family : Wax and D live with their uncle because their parents are globe-hopping reporters, and Cooky P is Wax's BF because he would deliver pizzas to Wax and his family on their Friday night Pizza dinners before his parents sent them to love with their uncle; magic: Magic is specifically called out during the story once or twice; music: The heart of this story is music - specifically, '80s rap and hip-hop.
Style:
Multiple perspectives : Although most of the story follows Wax's POV, there are moments that show other characters' POV.
Why I rated it like I did:
This is a fun, goofy sci Fi adventure story for middle grades and up readers.
But one day, as Wax tries to create a love song for his crush, Pirate Polly, something weird happens - his building gets sucked up into space and through a wormhole to the distant planet Discopia. Along for the ride are Cooky P, Pirate Polly, Finster the cat, Wax's sister The D, and Wax's uncle.
Before they can figure out what's going on, they're attacked by a giant robot. Wax fights him after he realizes his hand has become metallic, and accidentally manages to defeat the rampaging machine.
Suddenly, Wax is involved in a cultural war! He has to learn how to be a sci-fu master, harnessing the soundwaves of the universe to battle the Five Deadly Dangers before facing their boss, Choo Choo the killer robot (son of the robot Wax destroyed).
Wax will be trained by Kabuki Snowman - but will he be able to level up fast enough to save himself - and all of Earth?
What I thought: This is a really weird, fun, strange sci fi story with lots of 80s nostalgia - and I'm here for it! Younger readers will enjoy the action and humor; older readers will get the references that will probably go right over the target audience's head.
The art is fun and colorful, and the pages are densely packed with goings-on. I would normally expect a story with this much happening to be broken out into two or three books (which would be very disappointing), but Mercado does a great job keeping things moving right along and manages to get the whole first installment across to readers.
This could be read as a stand-alone, but it's clearly intended to carry on as a series, and I'm looking forward to getting the next installments!
Why I chose those shelves:
Content Warnings:
Bullying, violence: the bad guys are bullies who push others around and there is cartoon violence (a few robots are sliced to pieces; Wax gets bruised and cut in some fights).
Characters: BIPOC, Black, Latine, diverse: Wax and his friends are coded as Black, and Pirate Polly is coded as at least partially Latina;
Genres:
Action-adventure: This is a fight-filled, action-packed story! Romance: the MC is trying to figure out how to tell the girl he likes that he likes her - his love song becomes a pivotal part of the story; Chosen one: not explicitly stated as such, but Wax is the strongest sci-fu champion ever. and there is evidence of some Chosen One tropes as the story unfolds; Fantasy, Sci Fi, Space Opera: This mostly reads like sci fi, with robots and aliens, but there is explicit mention of magic as well, and the story plays out across planets in a rather operatic way; humor: In addition to the fun Easter egg references throughout, the story is very goofy and humorous;
Topics:
Friendship found family : Wax and D live with their uncle because their parents are globe-hopping reporters, and Cooky P is Wax's BF because he would deliver pizzas to Wax and his family on their Friday night Pizza dinners before his parents sent them to love with their uncle; magic: Magic is specifically called out during the story once or twice; music: The heart of this story is music - specifically, '80s rap and hip-hop.
Style:
Multiple perspectives : Although most of the story follows Wax's POV, there are moments that show other characters' POV.
Why I rated it like I did:
This is a fun, goofy sci Fi adventure story for middle grades and up readers.
January 14, 2020
Series Info/Source: This is the first book in the Sci-Fu series. I got this as a gift for Christmas.
Story (4/5): This is about a pre-teen boy who accidentally summons an alien spaceship and gets transported to the planet of Discopia. There he has to use his musical martial art Sci-Fu to defeat the robot aliens in a sort of musical mix-off. It’s a fun story line and decently done.
Characters (3/5): The characters were okay. Wax is the main character and he was spunky and fun. He is really the focus of the story, the other characters weren’t as well developed and really take a back seat to Wax.
Setting (4/5): Most of the book is set on the alien robot planet of Discopia. I liked the setting and thought it was interesting and fun.
Writing Style (3/5): I enjoyed the brightly colored illustrations throughout the book, although at times they were a bit hard to follow. I wasn’t a fan of the rap/rhyming style that a lot of the story was written in. This writing style was hard to read and a lot of the rhymes were pretty bad. The story got a bit hard to follow as well.
Summary (3.5/5): While I loved the illustration style here, I wasn’t a huge fan of the characters or the way the story was written. My son (13 years old) read this and kind of felt the same. When I asked him how he liked it he said “Eh, it was okay”...I agree with him. It’s a neat concept and well drawn, but the rest was just “eh”. I won’t be continuing the series.
Story (4/5): This is about a pre-teen boy who accidentally summons an alien spaceship and gets transported to the planet of Discopia. There he has to use his musical martial art Sci-Fu to defeat the robot aliens in a sort of musical mix-off. It’s a fun story line and decently done.
Characters (3/5): The characters were okay. Wax is the main character and he was spunky and fun. He is really the focus of the story, the other characters weren’t as well developed and really take a back seat to Wax.
Setting (4/5): Most of the book is set on the alien robot planet of Discopia. I liked the setting and thought it was interesting and fun.
Writing Style (3/5): I enjoyed the brightly colored illustrations throughout the book, although at times they were a bit hard to follow. I wasn’t a fan of the rap/rhyming style that a lot of the story was written in. This writing style was hard to read and a lot of the rhymes were pretty bad. The story got a bit hard to follow as well.
Summary (3.5/5): While I loved the illustration style here, I wasn’t a huge fan of the characters or the way the story was written. My son (13 years old) read this and kind of felt the same. When I asked him how he liked it he said “Eh, it was okay”...I agree with him. It’s a neat concept and well drawn, but the rest was just “eh”. I won’t be continuing the series.
September 4, 2018
Rapping kids from Brooklyn wind up on another planet with their Uncle Rashad, and it turns out that Wax has got some sort of connection to this planet, making him into a sci-fu warrior. All the battles include rap in some way or another, one of the fabulous girls who accidentally come along turns out to save the day because of her connection to this weird planet of Discopia.
This is definitely not a complete enough story to be the best book ever for me, but it's got lots of hilarious rhymes, it's got black kids in the city in a sci-fi story, Pirate Polly (our girl who saves the day) has an eye patch....but also the nickname (or name?) Pirate Polly....but also the love of Wax? I think there is a lot of fun to be had in reading this book, and I'm grateful for some of the representation, even if it isn't done quite as thoughtfully as I'd like. There is a lot of background about these characters that isn't shown in the book, although the story in the book is fairly complete, including the rules of Discopia, so maybe it just didn't make it into this slim action graphic novel.
I'm also curious if younger kids will get the rhymes the same way I did--some are completely out of the 80s/90s. It does have a playlist in the back though.
This is definitely not a complete enough story to be the best book ever for me, but it's got lots of hilarious rhymes, it's got black kids in the city in a sci-fi story, Pirate Polly (our girl who saves the day) has an eye patch....but also the nickname (or name?) Pirate Polly....but also the love of Wax? I think there is a lot of fun to be had in reading this book, and I'm grateful for some of the representation, even if it isn't done quite as thoughtfully as I'd like. There is a lot of background about these characters that isn't shown in the book, although the story in the book is fairly complete, including the rules of Discopia, so maybe it just didn't make it into this slim action graphic novel.
I'm also curious if younger kids will get the rhymes the same way I did--some are completely out of the 80s/90s. It does have a playlist in the back though.
August 31, 2018
Got this free from Netgalley. Loved the art. I stopped a quarter of the way through but my kids finished it on their own. My 9-yr-old boy gave it 3 stars, my 11-yr-old girl gave it 5. I would've given it one or two because I can't stand rap, or rhyming books, and the hood culture was a confusing and tedious to me since I'm about as white bread as they come. But I did really appreciate how the expletives were beeped out in a silly middle-grade fashion, and that it wasn't trying to be edgy. Despite it being not to my taste, I think this is a book that lots of kids will adore. Especially those with a proclivity for rap.
March 9, 2022
Hip hop, sci-fi and Kung fu come together for an amazing MG graphic novel.
🎧
Set in 1980s Brooklyn, a young DJ accidentally summons a UFO that transports his family, best friend and crush to the robot-dominated planet of Discopia. Full of humor, adventure and gorgeous graphics, this title, first in a series, will grab your middle grade readers immediately and never let go!
🎧
I fell in love with this author and illustrator after reading Chunky last year and nominating it for the #MaverickList so I had to see what else he had written and what a fun ride this was! I loved the diversity in the characters, the artwork and the story. Fans of Scott Pilgrim will love it!
🎧
Set in 1980s Brooklyn, a young DJ accidentally summons a UFO that transports his family, best friend and crush to the robot-dominated planet of Discopia. Full of humor, adventure and gorgeous graphics, this title, first in a series, will grab your middle grade readers immediately and never let go!
🎧
I fell in love with this author and illustrator after reading Chunky last year and nominating it for the #MaverickList so I had to see what else he had written and what a fun ride this was! I loved the diversity in the characters, the artwork and the story. Fans of Scott Pilgrim will love it!
July 21, 2018
Yes, yes, y'all and you don't stop. A very fun story of a kid DJ who goes by "Wax" who while spinin' and scratchin' records on the "wheels of steel" inadvertently sends out an interstellar challenge. Hip Hop and martial arts mix together as Wax, his uncle Rashad, his little sister The D, his best friend Cooky P, and his school crush Pirate Polly band together along with Kabuki Snowman to defeat Choo Choo and The Five Deadly Dangers from taking over the earth. The art is done in a wonderful graffiti style with vibrant colors. A very fun read for those in the 9-12 year old set. Word!
April 18, 2019
Wax drops the sickest beats in Brooklyn but can't get the attention of the girl he likes, Pirate Patty. Then one day while he is djing, his entire block is sucked through a portal to Discopia. There he battles the King and sets off a series of encounters with Prince Choo Choo. This is a combination of rap, science fiction and kung fu as Wax becomes a SciFu master. It wasn't really my favorite. It was too long and a bit convoluted. But then I am probably not the right demographic for this either.
Read
April 3, 2020Graphic Novel
Wax is a DJ, he loves hip hop and rap, and somehow he manages to send himself and his friends to a whole new planet! This novel is fresh and funny and a little bit strange, but it definitely keeps the pages turning as you can't wait to see what Wax gets up to next!
This is a great intermediate graphic novel because it deals with a bit darker content than Captain Underpants, but not so much that a kid who is 9 or 10 won't be able to enjoy the story. The artwork is pleasing to the eye, and is a pleasure to read.
Wax is a DJ, he loves hip hop and rap, and somehow he manages to send himself and his friends to a whole new planet! This novel is fresh and funny and a little bit strange, but it definitely keeps the pages turning as you can't wait to see what Wax gets up to next!
This is a great intermediate graphic novel because it deals with a bit darker content than Captain Underpants, but not so much that a kid who is 9 or 10 won't be able to enjoy the story. The artwork is pleasing to the eye, and is a pleasure to read.
December 27, 2022
It's the 1980s in Brooklyn, and Wax is a good DJ but a pretty bad rapper. He makes a mixtape that bombs and summons him, his family, and his apartment building to an alien planet called Discopia. After quickly killing the king of the planet, his son demands revenge. To win and go back home, Wax must learn sci-fu (manipulating sound waves) from his teacher, Kabuki Snowman. Definitely not my kind of a story, but I get its appeal. It's an action-packed samurai story. For fans of Secret Coders, Hilo, Cleopatra in Space, and Karate Kid.
January 8, 2018
Really retro but fully futuristic, Sci-Fu is a fun rap battle graphic novel. Wax's mix skills accidentally get him in a duel with rapping kung fu robot aliens. If Wax loses, the aliens gain control of not just Brooklyn, but the whole earth. If Wax wins, maybe he will also win the heart of his crush, Pirate Polly.
Great artwork and diverse characters. I can definitely say that my students will be excited to check this book out!
Great artwork and diverse characters. I can definitely say that my students will be excited to check this book out!
August 2, 2018
Wax’s scratches to his girlfriend Polly
Bring her running to his pad, O golly
But it also takes him out of his world
Into another dimension he’s swirled.
Now he’s got to fight robot freaks
Or all his pals are gonna be dead meat.
Now Kubuki Snowman must train him deep
So he'll reach the very top of the Sci-Fu heap.
Many props to Yehudi and all his crew
For bringing this fun action comic to you.
Smooth lines and scratchy-scratchy rhymes
Splashed with color make the story super fine!
Bring her running to his pad, O golly
But it also takes him out of his world
Into another dimension he’s swirled.
Now he’s got to fight robot freaks
Or all his pals are gonna be dead meat.
Now Kubuki Snowman must train him deep
So he'll reach the very top of the Sci-Fu heap.
Many props to Yehudi and all his crew
For bringing this fun action comic to you.
Smooth lines and scratchy-scratchy rhymes
Splashed with color make the story super fine!
March 22, 2019
What a totally weird and wacky book. Set in Brooklyn in the 1980s, young Wax plays an amazing beat one night for his friends and family, and it summons a spaceship from the planet Discopia. Before they know it, their whole building has been picked up and transported to Discopia where Wax is expected to battle it out with the giant, ruling robots for the right to rule the planet. Their weapon? Sci-fu: a mix of martial arts and rapping, where slickest rhymes make you the champion.
April 13, 2018
I won a copy of this graphic novel.
Wax is a DJ and manages to scratch a beat that responds to an Alien challenge. Transpotred through space to the awaiting challenger, Wax and his friends must fight Choo Choo and his Five Deadly Dangers. Drawings are vibrant and the characters are likable and kids should be able to relate to them. It's a solid middle grade graphic novel.
Wax is a DJ and manages to scratch a beat that responds to an Alien challenge. Transpotred through space to the awaiting challenger, Wax and his friends must fight Choo Choo and his Five Deadly Dangers. Drawings are vibrant and the characters are likable and kids should be able to relate to them. It's a solid middle grade graphic novel.
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