SUBSCRIBE
SUBSCRIBE
SLJ Blog Network +
  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About/Contact
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Manga
  • All Ages
  • Young Adult
  • Interviews
  • News

February 15, 2011 by Snow Wildsmith

Review: Age of Reptiles Omnibus, Vol. 1

February 15, 2011 by Snow Wildsmith   Leave a Comment

Dinosaurs have such a hold on our imaginations that even now, millions of years after their disappearance, we still write books about them, make movies about them, study them, look for clues to their lives and their deaths. As any librarian can tell you, books about dinosaurs are some of the more well-circulated books in both school and public libraries. Which is why it is so exciting that Ricardo Delgado’s Age of Reptiles is now being re-released in an omnibus edition.

Age of Reptiles Omnibus, vol. 1
Art by Ricardo Delgado; Colors by James Sinclair and Jim Campell
Ages 11+; Grades 6+
Dark Horse Comics, February 2011, ISBN 978-1-59582-683-1
400 pages, $24.99

SCROLL TO KEEP READING THIS POST

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

What will strike you first about Age of Reptiles, if you have not read the series previously, is that there are no words. None. Not a text bubble, not a voice over, not a sound effect, nothing. Delgado also does not include information about the dinosaurs he draws, which to me is part of the appeal of the book. With included information, this would become an “educational” book and much of the fun would be lost. Instead, Delgado takes the idea of dinosaurs, adds brilliant (though probably assumed) colors, adds just the right bits of anthropomorphism (maternal and paternal love, the impulses for revenge and hate), and ends up with a novel told completely through pictures.

The reason why such a venture is successful is that Delgado is an amazing draftsman. His pictures have the weight of reality, even during the moments that could never have happened, such as revenge sequences. He uses thin lines to draw highly detailed scenes, bringing to life a world that has not been seen for millions of years. Delgado uses traditional square and rectangular panels when he wants to, but never allows them to cramp his images and he abandons them often for full page spreads which soar cinematically. A hunt swooping through prehistoric clouds is as breathtaking as any nature documentary. Sinclair’s colors for the first two books are bright and fantastical, which helps readers keep the unnamed characters straight in their minds. By contrast, Campbell’s colors in the third tale are much more subtle and muted, so readers are forced to pay closer attention, but his palette fits well with the mostly desert setting.

Delgado’s Age of Reptiles series was originally published in three comic book series (Age of Reptiles, Age of Reptiles: The Hunt, and Age of Reptiles: The Journey). The first two series were collected into the trade paperbacks Age of Reptiles: Tribal Warfare and Age of Reptiles: The Hunt, but The Journey was never collected until now. It is included in this omnibus, along with all of the original introductions (from luminaries such as Ray Harryhausen and John Landis), a gallery of covers, Delgado’s essays on his influences, and a short selection of sketches. All of these items have been put into one package which is printed on brilliant white paper, in full color, with a solid binding. Though the book is marked volume one, so far it encompasses everything that has previously been created for the Age of Reptiles universe. But the volume one designation leaves things open for more in the future, which is a good thing! Dark Horse’s standard “Omnibus” cover (familiar from its omnibus releases of Buffy, Indiana Jones, etc.) isn’t as eye-catching as it could be, but still gets the point across–this is a book about dinosaurs. A good selling point if displayed facing out.

The level of violence is not unexpected for a nature story. The giant reptiles kill and eat, sometimes viciously, sometimes simply to survive. There is blood and gore and offal, but again, not in unrealistic or showy quantities. Even with the touch of anthropomorphism, this is still a nature story, unrelenting and unsparing. Middle school aged and up readers will appreciate this, especially if they were or still are dinosaur fans. Delgado’s work is an excellent example of a picture being worth a thousand words and this collection is an excellent addition to any graphic novel library.

This review is based on a complimentary copy supplied by the publisher. All images copyright © Dark Horse.

Filed under: Graphic Novels, Reviews

SHARE:

Read or Leave Comments

About Snow Wildsmith

Snow Wildsmith is a writer and former teen librarian. She has served on several committees for the American Library Association/Young Adult Library Services Association, including the 2010 Michael L. Printz Award Committee. She reviews graphic novels for Booklist, ICv2's Guide, No Flying No Tights, and Good Comics for Kids and also writes booktalks and creates recommended reading lists for Ebsco's NoveList database. Currently she is working on her first books, a nonfiction series for teens.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

February 2023

Insomniacs After School, vol. 1 | Review

by Snow Wildsmith

February 2023

Review: A Visit to Moscow

by Snow Wildsmith

February 2023

Science Comics: The Periodic Table of Elements | Review

by Snow Wildsmith

February 2023

Review: Bomb

by Snow Wildsmith

February 2023

Kiss Number 8 | Review

by Snow Wildsmith

ADVERTISEMENT

SLJ Blog Network

100 Scope Notes

2023 Caldecott Jump

by Travis Jonker

A Fuse #8 Production

Bonds and Books: An Interview with Megan Dowd Lambert About Building Connections Through Family Reading

by Betsy Bird

Good Comics for Kids

Recent Graphic Novel Deals, Early Mar 2023 | News

by Johanna

Heavy Medal

March suggestions: early Mock Newbery possibilities

by Emily Mroczek-Bayci

Teen Librarian Toolbox

Playing to our Strengths (and Other Insights on Co-Authoring a Novel): A Conversation with Nicole Melleby and A. J. Sass

by Amanda MacGregor

The Classroom Bookshelf

The Classroom Bookshelf is Moving

by Erika Thulin Dawes

The Yarn

Newbery Medalist Amina Luqman-Dawson visits The Yarn

by Colby Sharp

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles on SLJ

LibraryPass’s Comics Plus | Reference Database Review

Laurie Halse Anderson Announces "Wonder Women in History," a YA Graphic Novel Anthology

15 Returning Faces for Graphic Novels Shelves | Series Update

10 Standout Graphic Novels by AAPI Creators

Saturday Morning Comics | Stellar Panels

Commenting for all posts is disabled after 30 days.

ADVERTISEMENT

Archives

Follow This Blog

Enter your email address below to receive notifications of new blog posts by email.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

Primary Sidebar

  • News & Features
  • Reviews+
  • Technology
  • School Libraries
  • Public Libraries
  • Age Level
  • Ideas
  • Blogs
  • Classroom
  • Diversity
  • People
  • Job Zone

Reviews+

  • Book Lists
  • Best Books
  • Media
  • Reference
  • Series Made Simple
  • Tech
  • Review for SLJ
  • Review Submissions

SLJ Blog Network

  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal
  • Neverending Search
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn

Resources

  • 2022 Youth Media Awards
  • The Newbery at 100: SLJ Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Award
  • Special Report | School Libraries 2021
  • Summer Reading 2021
  • Series Made Simple Spring 2021
  • SLJ Diverse Books Survey
  • Summer Programming Survey
  • Research
  • White Papers / Case Studies
  • School Librarian of the Year
  • Mathical Book Prize Collection Development Awards
  • Librarian/Teacher Collaboration Award

Events & PD

  • In-Person Events
  • Online Courses
  • Virtual Events
  • Webcasts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Media Inquiries
  • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Content Submissions
  • Data Privacy
  • Terms of Use
  • Terms of Sale
  • FAQs
  • Diversity Policy
  • Careers at MSI


COPYRIGHT © 2023


COPYRIGHT © 2023