Review by Frank Plowright

The Books of Clash is set in the worlds of online games Clash of Clans and Clash Royale, and each volume spotlights prominent characters from the Jazzypickleton Cucumbers. This opening volume, though, starts among the Hog Riders, who are as they sound, big guys riding big hogs, although in this world ‘hog’ isn’t slang for a souped-up motorcyle. No, these guys ride actual giant hogs, apart from Terry, who’s the junior member and rides a hog commensurate with his stature. Crasher, Smasher and Rokkus, by the way, are the types of names more generally associated with the Hog Riders, who all have mohawks and beards and relish seeking out a new village and decimating it. They’re like a whole posse of Mr. T’s on the loose.

The subtitle of Legendary Legends of Legendarious Achievery and Les McClaine’s cartooning reveal the tone for what could just as easily be a form of sword and sorcery story taken more seriously. It’s an all-ages title, and Gene Luen Yang’s story is the ages-old tale of the younger member of the tribe wanting to improve himself. Surrounded by manly brutes, that’s some challenge.

It’s not one that will fit all bills. The Books of Clash come with messages for young readers, primarily the narrow view developed by only sticking with your own, and that if you’re persistent you’ll succeed. At the start, though, Yang has Terry running away sobbing too often, rather than confronting his problems. It’s part of Terry later finding his own place in the world, but those options aren’t open to the kid who actually runs away and cries.

Otherwise this opening volume is a fun romp as the people who’ve settled in Jazzypickleton are spotlighted, while McClaine’s cartooning has power and vitality as plenty of bashing occurs. Terry comes into his own through meeting a bunch of friends similarly at odds with their tribe, and by the end there’s a new gang in town. Yang’s not afraid to add to the game characters, and his grumpy and plain rude Granny Pocus is great.

Whether or not younger readers have experience with the online games, they ought to enjoy basically good-natured romp with engaging personalities. More in Vol. 2.