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Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters (issues) #1
Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters Vol. 1
An epic tale of sisters, survival, and some monster-punching
Rainbow has been looking for her younger sister, Jonna, for over a year--since the monsters appeared and their world began to dry up. Going from settlement to settlement, Rainbow asks every survivor she meets: Have you seen my sister?
Then, one day, Jonna is spotted out in the wild: filthy, but strong. Strong enough to knock back a towering monster with one punch. All this time, she's been surviving, on her own, without Rainbow, without anyone.
But there are more dangers in the world than monsters, and when the two sisters reunite, they'll discover the secrets of this new and terrifying world firsthand.
Collects issues #1-#4
Rainbow has been looking for her younger sister, Jonna, for over a year--since the monsters appeared and their world began to dry up. Going from settlement to settlement, Rainbow asks every survivor she meets: Have you seen my sister?
Then, one day, Jonna is spotted out in the wild: filthy, but strong. Strong enough to knock back a towering monster with one punch. All this time, she's been surviving, on her own, without Rainbow, without anyone.
But there are more dangers in the world than monsters, and when the two sisters reunite, they'll discover the secrets of this new and terrifying world firsthand.
Collects issues #1-#4
112 pages, Paperback
First published August 17, 2021
1 person is currently reading
298 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
December 16, 2024
What do you get when you cross Kamandi with Ultraman? Jonna! In a world ruled by giant monsters Jonna and her sister Rainbow are on a journey looking for their father - but there is danger lurking around every corner. Jonna has incredible strength and leaping ability (like Hulk) and she can take monsters out with one punch! Is Jonna a mutant or something else? Great collaboration between Chris and Laura Samnee! Post apocalyptic comic series that I look forward to following!
August 6, 2021
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
A book that sounded incredible, sadly it lacked in execution and I wasn’t a big fan. 2 stars. 🙁
Why didn’t I enjoy this one so much? Well, the story begins good with an exciting scene of one sister (Rainbow) following her sister (Jonna) who is once again running around. Something happens and boom it is a year later. Yep. That is what happens. However, instead of seeing something of a search she eats something at an older lady and boom someone has found her sister for her. It just felt so rushed. I would have loved more of a search. Seeing more of the land. Seeing more of everything. See her travel. Not eat dinner at someone’s place and then boom.
It is that the blurb states what has happened to the world otherwise I wouldn’t have understood it for most. I mean, we are a year later and suddenly the whole world is a dead zone. With monsters, no water, tons of dried out stuff, and more. It is dangerous. But instead of seeing what happened we just have to guess. Later on we get some conversations on what happened but it felt too late for me.
It also didn’t help that what Jonna is. I mean, I just cannot get a handle on the girl. She is so strong. She doesn’t seem to talk (and never did from what we glimpse in the earlier part/memories we get). For me it just seemed like Rainbow picked up a random wild girl. Jonna has zero emotion over seeing her sister again. Like she didn’t even know here. It just felt odd and very weird.
The whole story was just going from one thing to another. BOOM next scene. BOOM next scene. Explanations? What are those? Story? Naaaahhhh, action is where it is. Screw stories and explaining people what is going on. I mean the action is good, but it needs to flow right with the story. We need to be rooting for these people, not just seeing them for a couple of pages.
So Mehsi, is there anything you liked? Yes, I loved the art, it was fantastic. Lovely colour scheme, great character designs (well for most, still not sold on Jonna). I loved that we get some activities near the end.
But yeah, lack of story, lack of execution isn’t making me want to read this series further and this could have just been so much more. Just give it 50 more pages, instead of 115/116 make it more. Explain stuff. Give us reason to root for the characters. Show the world. Expand!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
A book that sounded incredible, sadly it lacked in execution and I wasn’t a big fan. 2 stars. 🙁
Why didn’t I enjoy this one so much? Well, the story begins good with an exciting scene of one sister (Rainbow) following her sister (Jonna) who is once again running around. Something happens and boom it is a year later. Yep. That is what happens. However, instead of seeing something of a search she eats something at an older lady and boom someone has found her sister for her. It just felt so rushed. I would have loved more of a search. Seeing more of the land. Seeing more of everything. See her travel. Not eat dinner at someone’s place and then boom.
It is that the blurb states what has happened to the world otherwise I wouldn’t have understood it for most. I mean, we are a year later and suddenly the whole world is a dead zone. With monsters, no water, tons of dried out stuff, and more. It is dangerous. But instead of seeing what happened we just have to guess. Later on we get some conversations on what happened but it felt too late for me.
It also didn’t help that what Jonna is. I mean, I just cannot get a handle on the girl. She is so strong. She doesn’t seem to talk (and never did from what we glimpse in the earlier part/memories we get). For me it just seemed like Rainbow picked up a random wild girl. Jonna has zero emotion over seeing her sister again. Like she didn’t even know here. It just felt odd and very weird.
The whole story was just going from one thing to another. BOOM next scene. BOOM next scene. Explanations? What are those? Story? Naaaahhhh, action is where it is. Screw stories and explaining people what is going on. I mean the action is good, but it needs to flow right with the story. We need to be rooting for these people, not just seeing them for a couple of pages.
So Mehsi, is there anything you liked? Yes, I loved the art, it was fantastic. Lovely colour scheme, great character designs (well for most, still not sold on Jonna). I loved that we get some activities near the end.
But yeah, lack of story, lack of execution isn’t making me want to read this series further and this could have just been so much more. Just give it 50 more pages, instead of 115/116 make it more. Explain stuff. Give us reason to root for the characters. Show the world. Expand!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
August 5, 2021
Review originally posted here: https://sammythecritic.blogspot.com/2...
Synopsis: Orphan wanderer Rainbow is in search in the wild for her sister Jonna who has been missing for a year, only to discover a world with larger-than-life beasts in the first volume of this epic fantasy adventure.
My Thoughts: Story/Pacing (5/5) -- The entire plotting reads like a perfect setup to a large-scale saga of the ages, not unlike the beginning entries of Jeff Smith’s masterpiece Bone, a parallel I couldn’t resist drawing since Smith also praised this book on the cover. We’re introduced to a colorful setting that seems to draw heavy inspiration from Asian architecture and tropical scenery over a series of mostly pantomime panels. These pages do an excellent job bringing forward the immersive qualities as parts of the world are revealed throughout the story while leaving out enough mystery behind this universe for us to figure out until the next installment arrives.
Characters (5/5) – Despite the title, I would say Rainbow takes the center stage in screen presence and characterization who is presented as this bright, ambitious adventurer clad in overalls and pink hat with stubby animal ears loosely reminiscent of Finn the Human’s (Adventure Time). Meanwhile, Jonna, who has become a feral wanderer, mostly serves as a cynosure to Rainbow’s perilous quest. This doesn’t diminish Jonna’s character in the slightest, nevertheless, as there are several panels of her alone depicting her resourcefulness and agility which allows her to survive in the wild. There are even hints towards her extraordinary strength which might play an important role in later volumes.
Art (5/5) – It was stunning. The linework, bouncy character designs, and backgrounds all amazed me. The heavily blue to purplish color schemes particularly during the jungle scenes stood out as stylistically unique and was an ideal backdrop for all the exhilarating action scenes.
Final Thoughts: Overall, Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters is a quick-moving, short but enjoyable read that seems to be setting itself up for some colossal expectations lore-wise. It’s ideal reading for its middle-grade target audience and has enough high stakes to even thrill older readers.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with my first advance ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: Orphan wanderer Rainbow is in search in the wild for her sister Jonna who has been missing for a year, only to discover a world with larger-than-life beasts in the first volume of this epic fantasy adventure.
My Thoughts: Story/Pacing (5/5) -- The entire plotting reads like a perfect setup to a large-scale saga of the ages, not unlike the beginning entries of Jeff Smith’s masterpiece Bone, a parallel I couldn’t resist drawing since Smith also praised this book on the cover. We’re introduced to a colorful setting that seems to draw heavy inspiration from Asian architecture and tropical scenery over a series of mostly pantomime panels. These pages do an excellent job bringing forward the immersive qualities as parts of the world are revealed throughout the story while leaving out enough mystery behind this universe for us to figure out until the next installment arrives.
Characters (5/5) – Despite the title, I would say Rainbow takes the center stage in screen presence and characterization who is presented as this bright, ambitious adventurer clad in overalls and pink hat with stubby animal ears loosely reminiscent of Finn the Human’s (Adventure Time). Meanwhile, Jonna, who has become a feral wanderer, mostly serves as a cynosure to Rainbow’s perilous quest. This doesn’t diminish Jonna’s character in the slightest, nevertheless, as there are several panels of her alone depicting her resourcefulness and agility which allows her to survive in the wild. There are even hints towards her extraordinary strength which might play an important role in later volumes.
Art (5/5) – It was stunning. The linework, bouncy character designs, and backgrounds all amazed me. The heavily blue to purplish color schemes particularly during the jungle scenes stood out as stylistically unique and was an ideal backdrop for all the exhilarating action scenes.
Final Thoughts: Overall, Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters is a quick-moving, short but enjoyable read that seems to be setting itself up for some colossal expectations lore-wise. It’s ideal reading for its middle-grade target audience and has enough high stakes to even thrill older readers.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with my first advance ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 18, 2023
Коли автори коміксів засновують свої проекти на власних родинних стосунках, то це може зіграти, як у позитивну, так і в негативну сторони. Серію коміксів «Джонна й нереальні монстри» Лора та Кріс Самні присвячують своїм трьом донькам і стверджують, що саме вони були головним натхненням для створення цих коміксів для всіх вікових категорій. Із художньою роботою Кріса Самні вперше я познайомився читаючи комікси «Сила вогню» Роберта Кіркмана. І вже там стиль малюнку цього художника мені сподобався. Сьогодні піде мова про першу сюжетну арку, яка знайомить нас зі світом та героями цієї серії коміксів.
«Джонна й нереальні монстри» — це фентезі-пригода в пост апокаліптичному світі, де гігантські монстри блукають землями, що починають висихати. У цьому суворому й невблаганному світі, життя — це постійна боротьба за виживання. А небезпека підстерігає за кожним кутом. Історія розповідає про Рейнбоу, сироту-мандрівницю, яка вже більше року шукає свою молодшу сестру Джонну після того, як їхній дім зруйнував один із цих монстрів. Незважаючи на всі труднощі, Рейнбоу відмовляється втрачати надію і сповнена рішучості знайти свою сестру. Подорожуючи безплідним ландшафтом, Рейнбоу стикається з усілякими небезпеками — від злісних звірів до безжальних бандитів. Але вона ніколи не втрачає з поля зору своєї мети, і врешті-решт знаходить давно втрачену сестру. Однак, коли Рейнбоу, нарешті, зустрічає Джонну, вона виявляє, що її сестра змінилася. Джонна майже здичавіла і володіє таємничою силою, яка дає змогу їй нормально так відлупцювати гігантських монстрів. Поки вони борються за виживання у світі, який, можливо, має більше жахів, ніж гігантські звірі, Рейнбоу намагається повернути собі сестринську любов, яку вона колись поділяла з Джонною.
Назва може свідчити про протилежне, але Рейнбоу насправді є головною героїнею історії, як із погляду її присутності на сторінках, так і з погляду її характеру. Вона зображена як рішуча та авантюрна дівчина, одягнена в комбінезон та рожеву шапку зі звірячими вушками. Джонна, з іншого боку, перетворилася на здичавілу мандрівницю і здебільшого слугує точкою інтересу для небезпечної подорожі Рейнбоу. Однак це жодним чином не підриває характер Джонни, оскільки в історії є кілька панелей, де вона сама демонструє свою винахідливість і спритність, що дозволяє їй виживати в дикій природі. Крім того, в історії є тонкі натяки на неабияку силу Джонни, яка може зіграти вирішальну роль у наступних томах.
Сюжет цієї арки виглядає хорошим вступом до маленької саги. Історія розгортається у яскравому й барвистому світі, який черпає натхнення в азійській архітектурі та тропічних ландшафтах, а ефект занурення в атмосферу досягається переважно за допомогою безтекстових панелей. Історія розкриває різні частини цього світу поступово, залишаючи достатньо таємниць та інтриг, щоб читачі були зацікавлені і прагнули дізнатися більше в наступній частині. Загалом, історія створює хорошу основу для подальших подій.
Художній стиль Кріса Самні та колір Метью Вілсона — це ті речі, які вельми сподобалися мені. Хороший дизайн персонажів, чіткі й трішки грубуваті лінії та заворожуючі фони не можуть залишити беземоційними під час читання. Вміле використання відтінків зеленого та коричневого, а вночі синього та фіолетового, в сценах джунглів та містечок додає яскравого та виразного стилю, створюючи ідеальне тло для розгортання захоплюючих екшн сцен. Також варто додати, як гарно було передано емоції та настрій персонажів через малюнок. Завдяки майстерній роботі художника, ми бачимо радість, страх, гнів та інші емоції персонажів просто поглянувши на їхні обличчя та міміку. Загалом, малюнок вдало передає атмосферу та настрій історії, створюючи захоплюючий світ, до якого можна повертатися тільки заради нього.
Отже, перша сюжетна арка «Джонна й нереальні монстри» #1-4 — це швидка й коротка історія (адже має тільки чотири випуски в арці та багато безтекстових панелей), але водночас дуже приємна і красива. Співпраця між Крісом і Лаурою Самні дійсно вдалася і помітно, з якою любов’ю вони віднеслися до цього проекту. А я ж далі крокуватиму стежкою цього пост апокаліптичного світу із Рейнбоу та Джонною.
«Джонна й нереальні монстри» — це фентезі-пригода в пост апокаліптичному світі, де гігантські монстри блукають землями, що починають висихати. У цьому суворому й невблаганному світі, життя — це постійна боротьба за виживання. А небезпека підстерігає за кожним кутом. Історія розповідає про Рейнбоу, сироту-мандрівницю, яка вже більше року шукає свою молодшу сестру Джонну після того, як їхній дім зруйнував один із цих монстрів. Незважаючи на всі труднощі, Рейнбоу відмовляється втрачати надію і сповнена рішучості знайти свою сестру. Подорожуючи безплідним ландшафтом, Рейнбоу стикається з усілякими небезпеками — від злісних звірів до безжальних бандитів. Але вона ніколи не втрачає з поля зору своєї мети, і врешті-решт знаходить давно втрачену сестру. Однак, коли Рейнбоу, нарешті, зустрічає Джонну, вона виявляє, що її сестра змінилася. Джонна майже здичавіла і володіє таємничою силою, яка дає змогу їй нормально так відлупцювати гігантських монстрів. Поки вони борються за виживання у світі, який, можливо, має більше жахів, ніж гігантські звірі, Рейнбоу намагається повернути собі сестринську любов, яку вона колись поділяла з Джонною.
Назва може свідчити про протилежне, але Рейнбоу насправді є головною героїнею історії, як із погляду її присутності на сторінках, так і з погляду її характеру. Вона зображена як рішуча та авантюрна дівчина, одягнена в комбінезон та рожеву шапку зі звірячими вушками. Джонна, з іншого боку, перетворилася на здичавілу мандрівницю і здебільшого слугує точкою інтересу для небезпечної подорожі Рейнбоу. Однак це жодним чином не підриває характер Джонни, оскільки в історії є кілька панелей, де вона сама демонструє свою винахідливість і спритність, що дозволяє їй виживати в дикій природі. Крім того, в історії є тонкі натяки на неабияку силу Джонни, яка може зіграти вирішальну роль у наступних томах.
Сюжет цієї арки виглядає хорошим вступом до маленької саги. Історія розгортається у яскравому й барвистому світі, який черпає натхнення в азійській архітектурі та тропічних ландшафтах, а ефект занурення в атмосферу досягається переважно за допомогою безтекстових панелей. Історія розкриває різні частини цього світу поступово, залишаючи достатньо таємниць та інтриг, щоб читачі були зацікавлені і прагнули дізнатися більше в наступній частині. Загалом, історія створює хорошу основу для подальших подій.
Художній стиль Кріса Самні та колір Метью Вілсона — це ті речі, які вельми сподобалися мені. Хороший дизайн персонажів, чіткі й трішки грубуваті лінії та заворожуючі фони не можуть залишити беземоційними під час читання. Вміле використання відтінків зеленого та коричневого, а вночі синього та фіолетового, в сценах джунглів та містечок додає яскравого та виразного стилю, створюючи ідеальне тло для розгортання захоплюючих екшн сцен. Також варто додати, як гарно було передано емоції та настрій персонажів через малюнок. Завдяки майстерній роботі художника, ми бачимо радість, страх, гнів та інші емоції персонажів просто поглянувши на їхні обличчя та міміку. Загалом, малюнок вдало передає атмосферу та настрій історії, створюючи захоплюючий світ, до якого можна повертатися тільки заради нього.
Отже, перша сюжетна арка «Джонна й нереальні монстри» #1-4 — це швидка й коротка історія (адже має тільки чотири випуски в арці та багато безтекстових панелей), але водночас дуже приємна і красива. Співпраця між Крісом і Лаурою Самні дійсно вдалася і помітно, з якою любов’ю вони віднеслися до цього проекту. А я ж далі крокуватиму стежкою цього пост апокаліптичного світу із Рейнбоу та Джонною.
January 8, 2022
Jonna leans into Chris Samnee's skillset as a superb visual storyteller with multiple scenes featuring no dialogue. Just like with his Fire Power series, these scenes are excellent and make Jonna well worth a look. The surrounding story is fine, but very incomplete. Jonna is a wild child who can punch out the unpossible monsters roaming the land. This makes her pretty unique, as the rest of humanity seems to be cowering in fear of the indestructible monsters.
Jonna's sister, Rainbow, finds Jonna after a long separation and they begin a quest to find their father - at which point, this volume ends abruptly. A longer first volume with more robust world-building might have had me more excited for future volumes, though I'd follow Samnee and his artwork anywhere.
Jonna's sister, Rainbow, finds Jonna after a long separation and they begin a quest to find their father - at which point, this volume ends abruptly. A longer first volume with more robust world-building might have had me more excited for future volumes, though I'd follow Samnee and his artwork anywhere.
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May 3, 2022Bo'...
August 9, 2021
I enjoyed this book a lot, it’s a brisk and charming all age story about a young girl trying to find her family in a post-kaiju apocalypse world.
Not gonna lie the Samnee art is what drew me to the book but the story was so fun that once I was done with the review copy NetGalley and Oni Press provided me, I bought the issues on Comixology to read with my kids.
The titular Jonna is a fun little would be hero, imagine a cross between Spot from The Good Dinosaur and One Punch Man, She is the standout character but the kaiju are also super neat and playfully designed, the art on them had hints Andrew Maclean without losing any of that classic Samnee cartoony style.
I would suggest this book to parents with young kids who like fun stories and aren’t afraid of big monsters although here, they are presented in a very cartoony way and in my opinion would be fine for 5 years and up. This is all age but those looking for a meaty story will want to consider that the four issues take about 15 minutes total to read, it’s incredibly light. Otherwise it’s oozing with charm, is beautifully illustrated and Matthew Wilson’s colors are vibrant and full of life
August 17, 2021
Set in a post-apocalyptic world where giant monsters roam the lands that are beginning to dry up, Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters follows Rainbow, who has been searching for her younger sister Jonna for over a year after their home was demolished by one of these monsters. When Jonna is spotted in the wild, nearly feral and suddenly possessing the strength to punch out these monsters, can Rainbow reclaim that sibling love while the two try to survive in a world that may have more horrors than the gigantic beasts?
Please click here for my full review.
Please click here for my full review.
March 30, 2022
Cute but just not in the mood for this and didn’t connect with the world or characters enough to continue right now.
May 10, 2022
A great mix of a story about sisterly love and a destroyed world filled with monsters and how people are coping. Rainbow is trying to find her sister Jonna after a big catastrophe, and she's surprised to find her sister feral.
I'm excited to read the rest of the series
I'm excited to read the rest of the series
April 9, 2021
THIS WAS ADORABLE! I WANT MORE. When does issue #2 come out? Loved the artwork and the plot.
July 27, 2024
I saw “Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters Vol. 3” on some “Best of 2024 (So Far)” list. I ordered the back issues from the library.
I didn’t know though this was a YA book, but not surprised (based on the cover art). This was a very quick read (it literally took 8 mins).
The premise: two sisters live in a world ruled by giant monsters. One of them, Jonna, punches monsters. The two sisters get separated. The story flashes forward. The other sister, Rainbow, sets out to find her lost, monster-punching sister.
It was fine. I'm clearly not the intended audience. There's really no time to develop in themes or characters or plot, really.
I didn’t know though this was a YA book, but not surprised (based on the cover art). This was a very quick read (it literally took 8 mins).
The premise: two sisters live in a world ruled by giant monsters. One of them, Jonna, punches monsters. The two sisters get separated. The story flashes forward. The other sister, Rainbow, sets out to find her lost, monster-punching sister.
It was fine. I'm clearly not the intended audience. There's really no time to develop in themes or characters or plot, really.
April 11, 2022
A well illustrated empty bag.
I've seen stories, and the lack thereof, usually created by elementary school comic book creators. That may be the case here. That certainly is the result. The 3 collected comics have characters never really explained or defined. The settings make no sense. Random dinosaurus-type critters mucking about. Nothing explained of the creatures. Why any of what is depicted is happening is never explained.
The artwork is fine, but more a gallery of poses and not a story that can be followed. Thus, the artwork fails.
Bottom line: I don't recommend this book. 2 out of ten points.
I've seen stories, and the lack thereof, usually created by elementary school comic book creators. That may be the case here. That certainly is the result. The 3 collected comics have characters never really explained or defined. The settings make no sense. Random dinosaurus-type critters mucking about. Nothing explained of the creatures. Why any of what is depicted is happening is never explained.
The artwork is fine, but more a gallery of poses and not a story that can be followed. Thus, the artwork fails.
Bottom line: I don't recommend this book. 2 out of ten points.
July 3, 2021
This is a fabulous, surprisingly sweet take on dystopian sci-fi. Giant monsters roam the land, society has broken down into small villages, and teenaged Rainbow is searching everywhere she can for her semi-feral younger adopted sister, Jonna. Rainbow is relentless and optimistic, and Jonna herself is an amazing spitfire who can fell a monster with a single punch. It's really compelling stuff, and it seems suitable for fairly young ages, assuming they can handle the darker world-building (the sisters are looking for their father, and many people have lost entire families and towns). I can't wait to read more of these girls' adventures!
October 16, 2021
This was fun, and I loved the artwork. But it felt way too short! Maybe it would've been better to collect the first 4 issues. Still, I loved the theme of family.
But I wish Jonna had more reactions.
But I wish Jonna had more reactions.
October 31, 2021
Not much happened to explain what's going on. I guess I'll have to read the next one.
Read
October 30, 2022F's review: not for me!
March 26, 2022
Letto nell'edizione italiana di Saldapress.
November 3, 2021
Chris Samnee has the potential to make this his Bone. Very excited to see how this story plays out.
August 6, 2021
The art is my favorite part about this series! I loved getting to know the characters just a little and getting a glimpse into their new world. I’m very excited to see where this story goes.
July 21, 2021
Thank you so much Netgalley and Oni press for a free advanced copy of this gorgeous book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4/5 ⭐
Synopsis: Rainbow is searching for her sister Jonna and her father. They were separated by the mysterious arrival of monsters on Earth. The monsters take up everything, destroy the lush green land and make it barren, dry up the water sources and attack people. Villages were destroyed and families scattered. After a year of searching Rainbow finds Jonna, who has been surviving in the wilderness alone, taking care of herself and fighting off the monsters with a punch. But there are darker things at play and the sisters, find their way across this dangerous world in search of their father.
Review: This is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel. The thing that caught my attention was the cover. It is so pretty, that I immediately had to pick up this book.
The art work and the colour scheme of this book is amazing. We can see the attention to details in each and every scene. The world building is vast, colourful and intriguing. I think kids would be hooked up by the beautiful work. The activity pages at the end of the book makes it even more interesting.
The characters were well developed. Even the side characters had their own distinct personality which was really good to see. I'd like to see more of Joanna's character development in the future books.
The story line is interesting, but to me it felt short and rushed. There were things that I thought could have been expanded a bit, like the destruction of the village and the search scenes, where Rainbow was searching for Jonna. I would have loved this book a lot more had there been like 60 or so more pages.
But, this is just volume 1 and the book sets up the story for many more volumes to come. I'm intrigued and would love to pick up the future volumes of this book to know where this story is headed.
This book is fits the tastes and interest of the middle graders, it has adventure, action and gorgeous artwork. But at the same time there are elements in the book that'll interest a young adult reader as well, like the monster attacks, the dystopian setting, the missing family.
I would recommend this book.
Rating: 4/5 ⭐
Synopsis: Rainbow is searching for her sister Jonna and her father. They were separated by the mysterious arrival of monsters on Earth. The monsters take up everything, destroy the lush green land and make it barren, dry up the water sources and attack people. Villages were destroyed and families scattered. After a year of searching Rainbow finds Jonna, who has been surviving in the wilderness alone, taking care of herself and fighting off the monsters with a punch. But there are darker things at play and the sisters, find their way across this dangerous world in search of their father.
Review: This is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel. The thing that caught my attention was the cover. It is so pretty, that I immediately had to pick up this book.
The art work and the colour scheme of this book is amazing. We can see the attention to details in each and every scene. The world building is vast, colourful and intriguing. I think kids would be hooked up by the beautiful work. The activity pages at the end of the book makes it even more interesting.
The characters were well developed. Even the side characters had their own distinct personality which was really good to see. I'd like to see more of Joanna's character development in the future books.
The story line is interesting, but to me it felt short and rushed. There were things that I thought could have been expanded a bit, like the destruction of the village and the search scenes, where Rainbow was searching for Jonna. I would have loved this book a lot more had there been like 60 or so more pages.
But, this is just volume 1 and the book sets up the story for many more volumes to come. I'm intrigued and would love to pick up the future volumes of this book to know where this story is headed.
This book is fits the tastes and interest of the middle graders, it has adventure, action and gorgeous artwork. But at the same time there are elements in the book that'll interest a young adult reader as well, like the monster attacks, the dystopian setting, the missing family.
I would recommend this book.
July 14, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press, I was allowed to read this Graphic novel, on eARC.
***
One Day on earth, Monsters came out of nowhere and decided to destroy everything on their way. Rainbow and Jonna are sisters who got separated after an encounter with one of those monsters.
After one year of searching, Rainbow finds her sister and together, they set up to find their father. On their way, they meet other survivors and different basecamps.
At first, honestly, it was a bit confusing ( Graphic Novels on-screen arent's exactly my favorite things.) But after a couple of pages, I managed to dive into this new world. Jonna, the main character, managed to get me curious about her and her life (past and future. Because they don't say so, but Jonna seems to have a heavy background. Not heavy as sad. But heavy as full.)
Her relationship with Rainbow is also an element that convinced me that I should keep an eye out for this graphic novel.
This first book was quite compelling to read, made you want to read more until you reached the last page and the cliffhanger... well it hangs you right.
I'd say children from the age of 12 can read this. 10, if they really like reading. It's colorful and nicely drawn too.
***
One Day on earth, Monsters came out of nowhere and decided to destroy everything on their way. Rainbow and Jonna are sisters who got separated after an encounter with one of those monsters.
After one year of searching, Rainbow finds her sister and together, they set up to find their father. On their way, they meet other survivors and different basecamps.
At first, honestly, it was a bit confusing ( Graphic Novels on-screen arent's exactly my favorite things.) But after a couple of pages, I managed to dive into this new world. Jonna, the main character, managed to get me curious about her and her life (past and future. Because they don't say so, but Jonna seems to have a heavy background. Not heavy as sad. But heavy as full.)
Her relationship with Rainbow is also an element that convinced me that I should keep an eye out for this graphic novel.
This first book was quite compelling to read, made you want to read more until you reached the last page and the cliffhanger... well it hangs you right.
I'd say children from the age of 12 can read this. 10, if they really like reading. It's colorful and nicely drawn too.
July 30, 2021
Wow, I’m in love with this comic, it was so good I didn’t even noticed the time passing by.
It reminded me a little of Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeast which is one of my favorite animated series but in Jonna and the Unpossible Monster we follow Rainbow who’s looking for her little sister Jonna, they were separated when a monster attacked their camp and now a year later Rainbow it’s still very determined to finding her family.
It was a very touching story, I love Rainbow even if she’s not much of a fighter she’s still very brave and her love for her sister was just so beautiful.
Jonna too was an amazing character, I really hope we get to see flashbacks of her time alone in the next comic, I’m sure she went through some really amazing adventures.
It ended in a little cliffhanger so I’m really excited to know what’s going to happen next.
Thank you Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange of an honest review.
It reminded me a little of Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeast which is one of my favorite animated series but in Jonna and the Unpossible Monster we follow Rainbow who’s looking for her little sister Jonna, they were separated when a monster attacked their camp and now a year later Rainbow it’s still very determined to finding her family.
It was a very touching story, I love Rainbow even if she’s not much of a fighter she’s still very brave and her love for her sister was just so beautiful.
Jonna too was an amazing character, I really hope we get to see flashbacks of her time alone in the next comic, I’m sure she went through some really amazing adventures.
It ended in a little cliffhanger so I’m really excited to know what’s going to happen next.
Thank you Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange of an honest review.
October 22, 2021
Reading this book reminds me a lot of Dragon Ball, original Dragon Ball with Goku as a kid kicking butt and wandering the world in a grand adventure with Bulma. It's a quick read, making use of individual pages to show a lot of big showy movement and exploration to get through scene transitions and close the distance quickly. It keeps a brisk pace, stopping briefly to explain the backstory to the world before jumping right into some great action scenes with propeller-arms and giant kaiju. It's a lot of fun! I also love that the backmatter for this book are colouring pages and a little maze activity, tailoring the experience towards something younger readers can get more fun out of and can take what they read and turn it into more creative exercises. In that way it's not just a book to read and reread, it's something that stokes more bits of imagination and has multiple uses.
August 20, 2021
'Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters Vol. 1' by Laura Samnee with art by Chris Samnee is a graphic novel about family in a time of monsters.
When Rainbow's little sister Jonna disappeared, she did what any older sister would do and set out to look for her. In a world ravaged by giant monsters, that's not an easy task. When she does find Jonna, her little sister has found refuge and gained new powers.
I really liked this story of sisters. The story moves along at a great clip and the art is just fun to look at. I like little Jonna with her fearlessness and Rainbow with her protectiveness.
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.
When Rainbow's little sister Jonna disappeared, she did what any older sister would do and set out to look for her. In a world ravaged by giant monsters, that's not an easy task. When she does find Jonna, her little sister has found refuge and gained new powers.
I really liked this story of sisters. The story moves along at a great clip and the art is just fun to look at. I like little Jonna with her fearlessness and Rainbow with her protectiveness.
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.
February 8, 2022
Solid 3.5 stars. It’s a very well drawn series, the events seem written for young middle school. The action is quite impressive!
September 20, 2021
Fun but unfulfilling, clever but lacking context, JONNA AND THE UNPOSSIBLE MONSTERS reads very much like an experimental miniseries in advance of a longer, fuller, more studied effort. The comic wields beautiful colors and warm character designs, but nothing else; it thoroughly lacks the competent connective tissue that might otherwise convince readers to feel at all invested in its post-apocalyptic musings. The adolescent protagonist may have grit and patience worthy of a saint, but absent a functional story to buttress her wider adventure, the girl's duty is but a rootless affectation.
To be blunt, the comic hopes a little too desperately for readers' imaginations to serve as the springboard of what is, or of what could be, in a world of oversized monsters and borderless shantytowns. Strawberry is a skinny girl who lost her sister and father during an unnamed cataclysm of unknown proportion, which, for unknown reasons, produced giant-sized bugs across the modern landscape. The girl is a wanderer. She hunts for her father, lost or deceased, she knows not, as well as for her adoptive kid sister. Jonna, the younger sister, is an amusing girl whose dull earnestness, broken speech pattern, and gutsy strength mark her as a coltish wild child.
In JONNA AND THE UNPOSSIBLE MONSTERS, Strawberry stumbles across her dear Jonna, discovering the girl's uncanny oneness with nature means, truthfully, she was never really in any danger. Readers follow Strawberry and Jonna's odd and awkward dance of pseudo familiarity as they either dodge or gravitate toward conflict with bugs the size of skyscrapers.
The book's sisterly reunion isn't much of a plot device worth tracking, regrettably, since the only emotional signposts readers can visibly mind come from an emotional loner (Strawberry) and a squirrely livewire who chooses not to speak (Jonna). Additional characters enter the fray in last chapter, but suffice it to say, character development is not one of this comic's priorities.
Strawberry and Jonna's tale of friendship and survival is easy enough to surmise. Readers, however, will find little else of meaningful discernment throughout the title. The book's narrative sequencing and pacing is terrible, and its tricky overreliance on complex panel design skews the visual kinetics. For a book about monster fighting, the jumpy page compositions (e.g., constant shifts in scale and depth) and poor use of motion and perspective (e.g., flagrant abuse of the 180-degree rule; awkward panel-to-panel arrangement) will invariably leave readers nauseated.
Younger readers may be drawn in by the lively colors and whirling inlaid text; however, JONNA AND THE UNPOSSIBLE MONSTERS doesn't have much beyond the initial, kitschy flare a feral child who punches bugs, a researcher lady who somehow latches a plane propeller to her arm, and a mythological setting with massive red vines, giant insects, and several middle-aged men with hipster beards.
To be blunt, the comic hopes a little too desperately for readers' imaginations to serve as the springboard of what is, or of what could be, in a world of oversized monsters and borderless shantytowns. Strawberry is a skinny girl who lost her sister and father during an unnamed cataclysm of unknown proportion, which, for unknown reasons, produced giant-sized bugs across the modern landscape. The girl is a wanderer. She hunts for her father, lost or deceased, she knows not, as well as for her adoptive kid sister. Jonna, the younger sister, is an amusing girl whose dull earnestness, broken speech pattern, and gutsy strength mark her as a coltish wild child.
In JONNA AND THE UNPOSSIBLE MONSTERS, Strawberry stumbles across her dear Jonna, discovering the girl's uncanny oneness with nature means, truthfully, she was never really in any danger. Readers follow Strawberry and Jonna's odd and awkward dance of pseudo familiarity as they either dodge or gravitate toward conflict with bugs the size of skyscrapers.
The book's sisterly reunion isn't much of a plot device worth tracking, regrettably, since the only emotional signposts readers can visibly mind come from an emotional loner (Strawberry) and a squirrely livewire who chooses not to speak (Jonna). Additional characters enter the fray in last chapter, but suffice it to say, character development is not one of this comic's priorities.
Strawberry and Jonna's tale of friendship and survival is easy enough to surmise. Readers, however, will find little else of meaningful discernment throughout the title. The book's narrative sequencing and pacing is terrible, and its tricky overreliance on complex panel design skews the visual kinetics. For a book about monster fighting, the jumpy page compositions (e.g., constant shifts in scale and depth) and poor use of motion and perspective (e.g., flagrant abuse of the 180-degree rule; awkward panel-to-panel arrangement) will invariably leave readers nauseated.
Younger readers may be drawn in by the lively colors and whirling inlaid text; however, JONNA AND THE UNPOSSIBLE MONSTERS doesn't have much beyond the initial, kitschy flare a feral child who punches bugs, a researcher lady who somehow latches a plane propeller to her arm, and a mythological setting with massive red vines, giant insects, and several middle-aged men with hipster beards.
July 31, 2022
I’ve been a huge fan of Chris Samnee’s art from the first time I encountered it, way back in 2005 when Oni Press released Capote in Kansas, written by Ande Parks, a true crime exploration of Truman Capote’s investigation into the murder of a family in rural Kansas, leading to what eventually became his book, In Cold Blood. I followed Samnee from then on, through one of the best runs of Greg Rucka’s Queen and Country (also published by Oni), and onto Daredevil with Mark Waid, along with Black Widow and Captain America runs with that writer. Samnee is currently doing two books, Fire Power with Robert Kirkman for Image/Skybound, and this one with his wife, Laura Samnee, and color artist Matthew Wilson, Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters.
Also published by Oni Press (and hopefully continued to be published by them; the publisher is a bit of a hot mess right now and there’s some questions as to whether or not how committed they are to actually publishing comic books), there are currently two collected volumes of Jonna, which are comprised of issues 1 through 8 (four issues in each book) of the ongoing series. It’s the story of two sisters, Rainbow and Jonna, who search for their father in a post-apocalyptic world where giant monsters have taken hold. Rainbow is the older one, quiet, sensitive and thoughtful, whereas Jonna is a force of nature, a mini-Incredible Hulk, who has somehow become super-strong and invulnerable since getting lost in the woods pre-apocalypse.
I love the characters in this book, which was created by the Samenes as something they could give to their three daughters to read (their girls are also major inspirations for the characters), but most of all, I love the art. This is absolutely pure cartooning on Samnee’s part, playing into all his wheelhouses, including dynamic figure drawing and his love of kaiju, Japanese-inspired monsters. There’s also major world-building here and Matthew Wilson’s coloring lends a whole other form of art on top of Samnee’s pencils and inks. Both these books are very quick reads, because the Samnees just shut up at times and wisely let Chris’s art do all the storytelling. I sincerely hope this is able to continue to its ultimate planned conclusion, especially since Oni Press is such a dumpster fire right now. It’s an absolutely magical story with great art and characters.
Also published by Oni Press (and hopefully continued to be published by them; the publisher is a bit of a hot mess right now and there’s some questions as to whether or not how committed they are to actually publishing comic books), there are currently two collected volumes of Jonna, which are comprised of issues 1 through 8 (four issues in each book) of the ongoing series. It’s the story of two sisters, Rainbow and Jonna, who search for their father in a post-apocalyptic world where giant monsters have taken hold. Rainbow is the older one, quiet, sensitive and thoughtful, whereas Jonna is a force of nature, a mini-Incredible Hulk, who has somehow become super-strong and invulnerable since getting lost in the woods pre-apocalypse.
I love the characters in this book, which was created by the Samenes as something they could give to their three daughters to read (their girls are also major inspirations for the characters), but most of all, I love the art. This is absolutely pure cartooning on Samnee’s part, playing into all his wheelhouses, including dynamic figure drawing and his love of kaiju, Japanese-inspired monsters. There’s also major world-building here and Matthew Wilson’s coloring lends a whole other form of art on top of Samnee’s pencils and inks. Both these books are very quick reads, because the Samnees just shut up at times and wisely let Chris’s art do all the storytelling. I sincerely hope this is able to continue to its ultimate planned conclusion, especially since Oni Press is such a dumpster fire right now. It’s an absolutely magical story with great art and characters.
August 13, 2021
Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters Vol. 1 by Chris Samnee; Laura Samnee is a graphic novel currently scheduled for release on August 17 2021. Rainbow has been looking for her younger sister, Jonna, for over a year--since the monsters appeared and the world began to dry up. Going from settlement to settlement, Rainbow asks every survivor she meets: Have you seen my sister?Then, one day, Jonna's spotted out in the wild: filthy, but strong. Strong enough to knock back a towering monster with one punch. All this time, she's been surviving. On her own. Without Rainbow. Without anyone. But there are more dangers in the world than monsters, and when the two sisters reunite, they'll discover the secrets of this new and terrifying world firsthand.
Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters is an enjoyable read. I really liked the artwork and think the style was perfectly suited for the story. I liked the story of Rainbow looking for her sister and surviving. The story was well told, and there was great interest on every page. There were a number of little bits of backstory and hints of possible things to come throughout the book, like finding the still missing family members and more information on Jonna. I did wish some of it was more fleshed out in this first volume, I think more could have been revealed without lessening the reader's need to search out the second volume for more. It felt a bit like i was just getting invested in the story, and wanting more, when the volume ended. However, I love the fact that coloring pages and a maze were included at the end- even though I can see this being an issue in library copies.
As a whole I think Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters is a fun read and many readers will enjoy it.
Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters is an enjoyable read. I really liked the artwork and think the style was perfectly suited for the story. I liked the story of Rainbow looking for her sister and surviving. The story was well told, and there was great interest on every page. There were a number of little bits of backstory and hints of possible things to come throughout the book, like finding the still missing family members and more information on Jonna. I did wish some of it was more fleshed out in this first volume, I think more could have been revealed without lessening the reader's need to search out the second volume for more. It felt a bit like i was just getting invested in the story, and wanting more, when the volume ended. However, I love the fact that coloring pages and a maze were included at the end- even though I can see this being an issue in library copies.
As a whole I think Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters is a fun read and many readers will enjoy it.
August 2, 2021
thank you to Oni Press for an e-arc of this volume in exchange for an honest review.
jonna and the unpossible monsters is a sad-yet-heartwarming middle grade graphic novel following a girl called rainbow who is looking for her missing sister jonna, as well as her father in a very strange world.
at first it seemed like a happy story but then we come to find out that jonna has been missing for a year and to make matters worse, in this world monsters exist and weird plants are destroying everything...until jonna is spotted.
i felt that the relationship between rainbow and jonna after she was found was poorly executed as it felt very rushed and didn't give the chance to show jonna's trauma of being missing, as well as her being scared of people after living in the wild with monsters for so long. despite this it was nice to see them become 'allies' again and go on a journey to where the volume ended.
i did feel that jonna herself was a bit poorly explained too as they never really felt like family or sisters; it was more of a friendship dynamic, however, it wasn't necessarily a bad thing as it was still a very nice story between them both. in volume 2 i would also like the world to be explained and discovered a lot more, but naturally i see the story going that way!
overall, it was a quick read with some beautiful art and colouring but it suffered from pacing issues. - 3.5* rounded up! i definitely recommend checking it upon release: August 17th 2021. i will definitely continue the series when volume 2 is released in spring 2022.
jonna and the unpossible monsters is a sad-yet-heartwarming middle grade graphic novel following a girl called rainbow who is looking for her missing sister jonna, as well as her father in a very strange world.
at first it seemed like a happy story but then we come to find out that jonna has been missing for a year and to make matters worse, in this world monsters exist and weird plants are destroying everything...until jonna is spotted.
i felt that the relationship between rainbow and jonna after she was found was poorly executed as it felt very rushed and didn't give the chance to show jonna's trauma of being missing, as well as her being scared of people after living in the wild with monsters for so long. despite this it was nice to see them become 'allies' again and go on a journey to where the volume ended.
i did feel that jonna herself was a bit poorly explained too as they never really felt like family or sisters; it was more of a friendship dynamic, however, it wasn't necessarily a bad thing as it was still a very nice story between them both. in volume 2 i would also like the world to be explained and discovered a lot more, but naturally i see the story going that way!
overall, it was a quick read with some beautiful art and colouring but it suffered from pacing issues. - 3.5* rounded up! i definitely recommend checking it upon release: August 17th 2021. i will definitely continue the series when volume 2 is released in spring 2022.
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