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Review: Secret Coders

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Secret CodersWelcome to Stately Academy, a school which is just crawling with mysteries to be solved! The founder of the school left many clues and puzzles to challenge his enterprising students. Using their wits and their growing prowess with coding, Hopper and her friend Eni are going to solve the mystery of Stately Academy no matter what it takes!

From comic star writer Gene Luen Yang (who’s also a high school computer programming teacher), Secret Coders is an entertaining first volume of he new graphic novel series that mixes entertainment with education. This is exactly the type of book I’d give to a kid who wanted to learn a bit about computers and programming, and wanted a fun place to start learning.

The learning aspect of it all isn’t in your face, and younger kids may need some help with some of the concepts, overall, it’s a fun read that got me to understand some concepts I actually didn’t know myself. With schools across the United States cutting funding for computer programming classes, they’re “nonessential” according to some, the series helps fill a gap in learning, and makes it fun too.

The graphic novel is short, with of course a second volume coming. Hopefully it comes sooner than later (it’s just listed as 2016 right now) as a long gap could hurt that learning, though there’s an online component to check out too. The length I think is key, as it’s geared towards a younger set who may not like reading a 200+ page graphic novel. It also focuses the learning aspects.

Mike Holmes‘ art is fun and perfectly geared towards the audience of the book. The characters all look different, with styles to their own, all done in a cartoonish look. It’s really solid, and I like it, perfect for younger kids.

A wildly entertaining new series that combines logic puzzles and basic programming instruction with a page-turning mystery plot! Bring on the next volume!

Story: Gene Luen Yang Art: Mike Holmes
Story: 9.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy

First Second provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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Justice League #44 CoverWednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!

We’re bringing back something we haven’t done for a while, what the team thinks. Our contributors are choosing up to five books each week and why they’re choosing the books.

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.

Alex

Farlain The Goblin #4 (Studio Farlain) – Oh my goodness. This is an absolutely great comic that tells a story of a goblin trying to find a forest. If it sounds simple, well, it is. But it’s also incredibly endearing, and amazingly fun.

Archie #3 (Archie Comics) – It’s hard to believe I had never read an issue of Archie before this version was released. This reminds me of the early days of Ultimate Spider-Man minus the spandex. And radioactive spiders.

Batman Annual #4 (DC Comics) – After the last issue of Batman (if you haven’t read Elana’s article about it, you should), my excitement level is really high with this comic. I cannot wait to see what is in store for us in the fourth annual.

 

Brett

Top Pick: Secret Coders Vol. 1 (First Second) – The latest graphic novel from Gene Luen Yang. This is one I’ve been waiting for since I heard about it a few years ago at the National Book Festival. It takes place at Stately Academy, a school with many mysteries to solve, and Yang has worked in real logic puzzles and programming instruction into this graphic novel which not only entertains, but also teaches you too!

Justice League #44 (DC Comics) – Justice League is in the middle of an epic with the team caught in between a battle of giants, and members going every which way. This is a story on a massive scale that can only happen in comics.

Rasputin #9 (Image Comics) – It’s Rasputin in the middle of a modern-day political campaign, and it’s fascinating.

Transformers #45/Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #45 (IDW Publishing) – I love IDW’s various Transformers series, and both take interesting spins this week, one with a lot of action, and the other with a look at some reject Decepticons. So good and never disappoints.

Zodiac Starforce #2 (Dark Horse) – The first issue was fun, and fleshed out the previous minicomic I read from years back. The series looks like it’ll be an interesting take on a familiar formula (Sailor Moon), but overall the key is fun and entertaining.

 

Elana

Archie #3 (Archie Comics) – I have never read an Archie book in my life (other than Archie Vs Predator) till I read this one. It is so good. Cute dialog, wonderful character studies. All ages goodness. Fiona Stapels is Magic. Jugghead is my new fave.

Grayson Annual #2 (DC Comics) – This series manages to be funny, suspenseful, unpredictable, fanservicey as hell but also suprisingly emotionally raw when it wants to be. I think this week it wants to be.

Material TP (Image Comics) – If this comic had a genre it would be Derida. The new trade paperback includes an essay by friend of GP, Spencer Ackerman. A political an urgent comic about the issues of the day like racism, surveillance and artificial intelligence.

Zodiac Starforce #2 (Dark Horse) – Sailor Moon 2.0? A former sailor scouts type team is coming into their later teens and struggling with what that means. Lovely art and colors. Nice diverse cast.

 

Mr. H

Top Pick: Grayson Annual #2 (DC Comics) – Every issue of this title has been an absolute hit. Now factor in we get a meeting between Clark and Dick in their new lives, you’ve got the makings of a classic!

Captain America: White #2 (Marvel Comics) – I loved the first issue. This team is always dynamite for me, it’s nice to see Cap and Bucky back in their purest form.  Bring on the baddies!

Green Lantern Annual #4 (DC Comics) – We finally get to find out where Hal got Darlene from and more insight into his new mission. I’m buckled in, lets head through the blasting zone!

Justice League #44 (DC Comics) – The cosmic battle royale continues. I am so pumped to see what becomes of Bat-God, Evil Superman and oh yeah those other guys too.

Superman #44 (DC Comics) – The awaited finale to “Truth”. Let’s see if it comes with some Justice!

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