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annablume's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence, Kidnapping, and Stalking
dielilla's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
nerdydreamer107's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rkiladitis's review against another edition
4.0
Charles F. Thompson just moved to Echo City with his family. He’s not thrilled, especially with their new digs: a creepy building his dad will be refinishing as the family lives there. Charles – an avid blogger – swears there’s a monster in his room, and he’s not wrong. Some of his toys go missing, and he knows he didn’t just misplace them. Charles is seriously freaked out: what if the monster tries to eat him?! A neighbor quietly slips him Margo Maloo’s number, and Charles’ whole world changes: Margo is a monster mediator. The monsters all know her; she knows all the monsters. She helps smooth relations between Charles and Marcus, the troll that lives in his building. Turns out Marcus is really upset that these awful humans are moving in and messing with his stuff! Once Margo sorts things out, and Charles has been exposed to this new world right under his nose, he’s hooked – freedom of the press demands that he write about this! Margo firmly puts the kibosh on Drew’s reporting, but lets him tag along on her missions. The Echo City monsters aren’t thrilled with Charles, but who knows? Maybe they’ll see Charles’ value as Margo’s assistant. After all, he and Marcus bonded over Battlebeanz toys!
Think of Charles as a kids’ Night Stalker, led by a hard-boiled, female, juvenile Philip Marlowe: She’s on a just a first-name basis with all the monsters in her town, and operates in the shadows, confidently keeping a balance between the monster world and ours. Charles is hilarious, whether he’s complaining about exotic new take-out or proclaiming that “information wants to be free!” (the librarian in me was so happy with that panel); Margo is the picture of cool and sassy, navigating both worlds with a self-assuredness most kids could only dream of, and the monsters themselves are very human: they worry about humans discovering them; they collect toys and knickknacks, and parents worry about their kids walking off when a stranger offers them candy, too. The cartoony art will appeal to kids without scaring them (or maybe, just give ’em a little frightened giggle).
There are three stories in this first volume, to start you off on the world of Margo Maloo. There are also pages from Charles’ notebook, with sketches and information about ghosts, goblins, ogres and trolls, the monsters he encounters in these first tales. If you want more Margo and can’t wait for the next volume, you don’t have to! Margo began life as a webcomic that’s still running, updating on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can check it out at http://www.drewweing.com/, and while you’re at it, discover a few more comics on the site.
The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo is a fun addition to graphic novel collections, perfect for kids who are in Goosebumps mode and want something witty, a little spooky, and a lot of fun.
Think of Charles as a kids’ Night Stalker, led by a hard-boiled, female, juvenile Philip Marlowe: She’s on a just a first-name basis with all the monsters in her town, and operates in the shadows, confidently keeping a balance between the monster world and ours. Charles is hilarious, whether he’s complaining about exotic new take-out or proclaiming that “information wants to be free!” (the librarian in me was so happy with that panel); Margo is the picture of cool and sassy, navigating both worlds with a self-assuredness most kids could only dream of, and the monsters themselves are very human: they worry about humans discovering them; they collect toys and knickknacks, and parents worry about their kids walking off when a stranger offers them candy, too. The cartoony art will appeal to kids without scaring them (or maybe, just give ’em a little frightened giggle).
There are three stories in this first volume, to start you off on the world of Margo Maloo. There are also pages from Charles’ notebook, with sketches and information about ghosts, goblins, ogres and trolls, the monsters he encounters in these first tales. If you want more Margo and can’t wait for the next volume, you don’t have to! Margo began life as a webcomic that’s still running, updating on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can check it out at http://www.drewweing.com/, and while you’re at it, discover a few more comics on the site.
The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo is a fun addition to graphic novel collections, perfect for kids who are in Goosebumps mode and want something witty, a little spooky, and a lot of fun.
saidtheraina's review against another edition
4.0
Super cute monster story. Kid and his family moves into a big, run-down building in "Echo City" (NYC standin), discovers monsters are real and a new friend who works with them. Great world building.
Like it a lot, want to read more. Wish the protagonist wasn't another white boy (Margo is the friend).
Great concept and unique art style to go with it.
Like it a lot, want to read more. Wish the protagonist wasn't another white boy (Margo is the friend).
Great concept and unique art style to go with it.
wildgurl's review against another edition
4.0
The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo
by Drew Weing
2016
FirstSecond Books
4.5/5.0
I really liked the graphics, and how this was formatted. A great story about a young boy, Charles Thompson, who moves with his family into an abandoned apartment building. Charlie begins to see a monster in his room, calling Margo Maloo to help. She introduces him to all the monster in the neighborhood.
The cutest wombat ever!!
by Drew Weing
2016
FirstSecond Books
4.5/5.0
I really liked the graphics, and how this was formatted. A great story about a young boy, Charles Thompson, who moves with his family into an abandoned apartment building. Charlie begins to see a monster in his room, calling Margo Maloo to help. She introduces him to all the monster in the neighborhood.
The cutest wombat ever!!
droar's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic monster weirdness! Charles just moved to the city & his family is fixing up an old hotel, he calls Margo when he gets into monster trouble on his very first night. I love Margo's character, she's capable, intelligent, and mysterious in juts the right ways. The case detective approach to monster problems reminds me of Hellboy in the best ways (but Margo is fighting for the monsters just as much as she is the humans). I cant wait to get my hands on book 2!
xxpumpkincatxx's review against another edition
4.0
Such a cute children's graphic novel! A very quick read with a simple mystery!
Thompson is not too thrilled having to move to a new place and when he discovers a monster he's even less thrilled. Rather than being scared he pulls his pants up and opens his mind. With the help of MM he talks and learns more about these monsters and their life.
Thompson is not too thrilled having to move to a new place and when he discovers a monster he's even less thrilled. Rather than being scared he pulls his pants up and opens his mind. With the help of MM he talks and learns more about these monsters and their life.
bookswithbets's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0