Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant (Delilah Dirk #1)

Cliff pulls out all the stops for his first graphic novel, which he originally published online, pairing a wisecracking, death-defying heroine ("Guard!" she calls good-naturedly from her prison cell, "I'm escaping") with a sensitive minor military official prone to overthinking when lightning-fast action is required ("Jump? Surely not! What about the other options? Are there any other options?"). The plot, such as it is, follows Lieutenant Selim as he is dragged willy-nilly into Delilah's life of action and danger when all he wants is a hot cup of tea; really, though, it's a vehicle for blood-pumping episodes of derring-do and heroism involving swordplay, artillery, aqueducts, piles of treasure, tyrannical Ottoman rulers, treacherous officials, and the occasional quiet idyll in Delilah's flying boat. Sunlit landscapes, candlelit interiors, and nighttime explosions give Cliff opportunities to show off his splendid draftsmanship, while the dialogue provides a constant stream of sardonic banter ("Kill me with what? That rope? You'll give me rope burns 'til I yield?"). Cliff apparently took five years to write this, but fans will hope a sequel doesn't take that long. Ages 12-up. (Aug.)

Gr 6 Up--The intense action on the cover promises a rollicking adventure, and the interior pages certainly deliver on that promise. Delilah Dirk has abandoned conventional court life and become a globe-trotting soldier of fortune. She is captured and held prisoner in 1800s Constantinople. Eventually she escapes, taking along the astonished Turkish Lieutenant Erdemogul Selim, whose quiet life centers around a proper cup of tea. This unlikely pair embarks on a wild journey that includes flying a ship, outwitting the Evil Pirate Captain Zakul, and escaping burning buildings. Characters vividly come to life with expressive faces and mannerisms. The bumbling, mild-mannered lieutenant serves as a perfect foil for Delilah's acerbic wit and considerable physical prowess. Her frustration with Selim's ineptitude results in recurring comical situations. Subtle humor and charming interchanges between these two unlikely companions, "Miss Dirk" and "Mr. Selim," will captivate readers. Story construction consists of three distinct threads: Selim's narration, dialogue between the characters, and engaging visuals. These three often-differing points of view are intricately woven together into a storytelling tour de force. Pacing of the tale is excellent, with tranquil moonlit nights and campfires setting up subsequent action sequences. Jewel-toned colors add to the rich visual experience. The saga concludes as the two travelers, now companions, face a future brimming with possibilities. Delilah and the lieutenant are destined to join the ranks of such classic duos as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. A scrumptious Turkish delight.--Barbara M. Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

"A scrumptious Turkish delight." —School Library Journal

A marvelous and exceptionally lovely graphic novel."—Boing Boing