Cactus Kid: The Battle for Star Rock Mountain
Emmanuel Guerrero
Flying Eye Books

In this first of a new graphic novel series Cactus Kid is in self-imposed exile in the Neverending Desert. His aim is to master magic and show his all-powerful father back in Florencia that he’s the best wizard of all time. For starters he needs a small piece of star rock, the stardust of which will upgrade his starter potion to master-grade. However others are also searching for the same thing and they’re not at all friendly. Though Cactus is a tough character, will he be put off by the mention of the Moto Brawl, a no holds barred race one of the competing teams wants him to participate in?

So begins a wacky adventure bursting with motor bikes and mayhem. There’s also a dark bounty-hunting lizard, armed with an other-worldly compass scouring the land for magic and the encounter between that lizard and Cactus Kid is pretty prickly.

During the course of the race Cactus Kid learns something very important: going it alone isn’t always the best way to go: An ally that has your back is sometimes what you need, especially one willing to part with one of their special possessions as a farewell offering.

As Cactus Kid heads off into the sunset in search of more magic, it’s good to discover that it’s not the last we readers will see of him. If your taste is for wacky magic, a lovable protagonist and terrific world building, then this dramatic offering delivered in powerful colours, comic book style, will surely fit the bill.