Review by Frank Plowright
My Buddy Killer Croc is a unique look at the Batman villain straddling a genre divide. The dialogue is perhaps a little too sophisticated for an all ages audience, while the lead character being so young might put off the young adult audience. Let’s hope not, as this is one of the best graphic novels DC has targetted at either audience.
Given the savage way Killer Croc is in the mainstream DC universe, he hardly seems the obvious choice for any graphic novel aimed at a younger audience, but he’s written exceptionally well here. Sara Farizan’s usual trade is young adult novels and she acknowledges the inner beast, while prioritising the wrestling career he undertook before using his power for illegal activities. Due to circumstances subtly revealed, Andy has only just moved to Gotham to stay with his Aunt. He’s first seen at school, but it’s later shown a highlight of his young life was being taken to the wrestling by his father and seeing Killer Croc demolish an opponent.
Andy is an instantly sympathetic personality, and everyone else is delicately characterised, so while My Buddy Killer Croc deals with problems seen in other graphic novels aimed at youngsters, it’s with greater finesse. Farizan covers a fair number of issues in passing, yet in a way kids will pick up on them, and always in service of the bigger story. An example is Croc dealing with the kids who’ve been bullying Andy, a satisfying scene anyway, but also plotted to cement Andy’s trust in Croc after a point where that might have been eroded.
An already touching plot is elevated to greatness by the delightful cartooning of Nicoletta Baldari, whose digital approach doesn’t need defining black outlines. It results in every panel resembling a Disney animation still, and like the Disney films she can provide a convincing threat that’s also age appropriate. Full backgrounds and an attractive style seal the package.
Standing head and shoulders above most DC titles aimed at a younger audience, adults might also open themselves to its charms.
