Amulet is a popular graphic novel series created by Kazu Kibuishi. It is aimed at a young audience and has gained a loyal following since its publication in 2008. The series follows the adventures of Emily and her younger brother Navin as they navigate a magical world filled with creatures and mysteries. The story begins with Emily and Navin moving to a new house after their father's death. They discover a mysterious amulet in the basement, which grants them special powers and transports them to a fantastical land called Alledia. In this world, they encounter a variety of strange creatures, including elves, robots, and talking animals.
Magic on the Map: Let’s Moooove! by Courtney Sheinmel and Bianca Turetsky, illustrated by Stevie Lewis
The sibling’s parents buy a camper that turns out to be magical and transports them to locations around the United States where the two experience the local culture with adventures and excitement. In this first book, Finn and Molly go to Colorado. Yes, it sounds like the Magic Tree House books but with a camper and in the present day. However, it makes up for that with its settings that will build a child’s knowledge of U.S. geography and culture.
Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve 2 , Summer of the Sea Serpent 3 , Winter of the Ice Wizard 4 , Carnival at Candlelight 5 , Season of the Sandstorm 6 , Night of the New Magicians 7 , Blizzard of the Blue Moon 8 , Dragon of the Red Dawn 9 , Monday with a Mad Genius 10 , Dark Day in the Deep Sea 11 , Eve of the Emperor Penguin 12 , Moonlight on the Magic Flute 13 , A Good Night for Ghosts 14 , Leprechaun in Late Winter 15 , A Ghost Tale for Christmas 16 , A Crazy Day with Cobras 17 , Dogs in the Dead of Night 18 , Abe Lincoln at Last 19 , A Perfect Time for Pandas 20 , Stallion by Starlight 21 , Hurry Up, Houdini. But try telling that to Lal, the humble Bangladeshi gardener living in a house commandeered by an invading army in this short story titled Blossoms in Blood.
In this world, they encounter a variety of strange creatures, including elves, robots, and talking animals. Throughout the series, Emily and Navin must use their newfound abilities to battle against dark forces and protect the people of Alledia. They are joined by a diverse group of allies, each with their own unique skills and strengths.
Five Thoughts on Just Beyond’s “The Treehouse”
Sam ends up in an alternate reality that allows him to say goodbye to his father who recently passed away. It’s a strong ending to the season, and while plays with wonky sci-fi ideas, works the best on an emotional level.
Some Spoilers Ahead
1. Flipped Out
Still dealing with the death of his father, Sam and his best friend Mason buy a key issue of his dad’s favorite comic, Commander Canada. When a bully all but ruins that comic Sam heads home broken-hearted. After an uncomfortable talk with his mom about being home more often and dad’s death, Sam goes up to his treehouse to read comics. A lightning storm hits and throws him into an alternate dimension where he has new, rich parents, is a bully to his best friend, and nothing is right. The world around him keeps glitching like channels flipping, and it doesn’t just change between similar, but different worlds, but we see what looks like a sort of post-apocalyptic wasteland version of his town. The static-y, wobbly channel flipping effect works, but doesn’t feel like it should be part of Sam’s story. His relationship to comic books could have made for a panel jumping, page flipping effect to be used instead.
2. Father & Son Redux
A truly heart-breaking watch. Sam, played with heart by Cedric Joe must come face to face with an alternate universe version of his father. Seeing Sam interact with his dad who he is simultaneously grieving, and striking up this new relationship with is really something to behold. It is equally sad, and bizarre. It doesn’t all work, but the actors do their best to make it the best they can. Malcolm Barrett does an incredible job having to tackle a guy who has to be told and accept that a son from another universe, which he does not have in this one, is standing in front of him asking him to build a treehouse so he can get back to his own universe. It’s absolutely insane, but the acting from both performers keeps it moving along in a way that with just some suspension of disbelief makes the episode a worthy watch, and a bit of a tearjerker.
3. An Understated, But Powerful Mom
Christine Adams is a genre pro and always brings some powerful acting chops along for the ride. Typically in stoic or serious roles, having her just be a mom in this almost had me unsure of where I had seen her before. Also, seeing her with long hair, instead of her usual tight haircut really threw me. As with Andy, we get to see two versions of her character, Jenny, in this story. Because this universe isn’t all that different from Sam’s home world, the major difference we get from both Jennys is how she acts with and without Andy in her life. Sam’s Jenny is sad, quiet, but not closed off. She is actively trying to reach out to Sam, and break through the shell that is really still forming around him in the wake of Andy’s death.
In the other world, we see a Jenny who is just living life with her beloved husband. They have no kids, so Adams really plays it in a more friendly neighbor mode, rather than an instinctual maternal way. And while this version of Jenny and Andy are the same age as Sam’s versions, there is a youthful bounce to both of them. We don’t see what Sam’s Andy is like, but from all accounts he was a great dad and husband, so maybe this side of their personalities was present there as well. For just a few short scenes, we get another great look at just how good Adams is. An actress who is strong no matter what kind of role she is tackling, she pulls of the overwhelming task of playing two different versions of the same person in a single episode. We completely get that this is the same person, just set on a different path so their personality it simply tweaked rather than overhauled. It’s a tough feat pulled off in a way that makes it feel so simple and lowkey.
4. From Bullied To Bully
One detail I didn’t much care for in this episode was that by giving Sam a different set of parents who are wealthy, thus putting Sam into a different mix of kids at school, he goes from being bullied to being best friends with his bully. It was a little too on the nose, and our Sam is so kind, and these parents seem nice enough, it simply doesn’t make much sense that he’d become an actual mean kid. It could have been left out altogether, but I guess they just wanted to show that this was very much, an alternate reality.
5. How Could You Choose?
This episode puts Sam in a crazy situation with a choice to be made, and it’s a devastating one. However, there is a detail woven into the story that forces him to choose in the expected manner, making him go back home where he truly belongs. His one choice is to stay in this other universe with two living parents, but who aren’t his parents here because we meet another set of parents who somehow have the same genetic code to make an identical kid that Andy and Jenny would make. The other choice is to build the treehouse with Andy so he can use it again as a portal back home, otherwise, allowing his real mom to believe he died in the storm that sent him to the other world in the first place, effectively causing this woman even more heartache, and we can only assume would just send her to her own death. It’s an insane choice and one that I don’t think Sam could easily make without the various factors thrown at him in this episode. But again, this is a kids’s show so some punches need to be pulled. It gives him time to bond with his ‘dad’ one last time, and puts him back home. It’s cute, it’s sweet, it’s a real heart-string tugger, and it worked for me.
//TAGS | Just Beyond
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Christopher EganChris lives in New Jersey with his wife, daughter, two cats, and ever-growing comic book and film collection. He is an occasional guest on various podcasts, writes movie reviews on his own time, and enjoys trying new foods. He can be found on Instagram. if you want to see pictures of all that and more!
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Together, they embark on a quest to save their mother, who has been taken captive by a powerful creature known as the Elf King. The Amulet series is known for its compelling storytelling, rich world-building, and stunning artwork. Kibuishi's illustrations bring the characters and settings to life, captivating readers of all ages. The series has been praised for its strong female protagonist, complex themes, and emotional depth. In addition to the main storyline, the Amulet series also explores themes of family, friendship, sacrifice, and the consequences of power. The characters undergo personal growth and face moral dilemmas, which adds depth to the narrative. The series strikes a balance between action-packed adventure and poignant moments of reflection. With each new installment, the Amulet series unveils more of its intricate mythology and expands on the world of Alledia. The series currently consists of eight books, with the final installment expected to be released in the near future. Overall, the Amulet graphic novel series has captivated readers with its engaging story, vivid artwork, and memorable characters. It has become a beloved and influential work in the realm of young adult literature, appealing to readers of all ages..
Reviews for "The Legacy of Kazu Kibuishi: How the Amulet Graphic Novel Series Changed the Landscape of Children's Literature"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the Amulet graphic novel series. The artwork was beautiful, but the storyline just fell flat for me. It felt like the characters were underdeveloped and the plot was predictable. I had high hopes for this series, but it just didn't live up to the hype.
2. Emily - 1 star - I cannot understand what all the fuss is about. The Amulet graphic novel series was such a disappointment. The artwork was the only redeeming quality, but even that couldn't save the lackluster storyline. The characters were one-dimensional and the plot was overly simplistic. I expected much more from this series.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I found the Amulet graphic novel series to be quite overrated. While the artwork was impressive, the storyline felt disjointed and rushed. The characters lacked depth and their actions often felt forced. I struggled to connect with the story and ultimately found it to be a letdown.
4. Michael - 2 stars - I was unimpressed by the Amulet graphic novel series. The illustrations were stunning, but the story itself was lackluster. The plot lacked originality and the characters were forgettable. I kept hoping it would get better as I progressed through the series, but unfortunately, it never did. Overall, I wouldn't recommend it.