Review | Takio

Takio
By Michael Bendis. Art by Michael Avon Oeming
Dark Horse Comics, February 2024, $19.99
Grades 5 and up

When I saw a graphic novel by Brian Michael Bendis, the co-creator of Miles Morales, pop up on my Edelweiss feed, I knew I wanted to give it a try. As I poked around the Internet, I realized that I was about to read a reissue of the book and it has been around for quite some time, but Dark Horse is rereleasing it and it has potential for a new audience. So even though it’s an older title, I’m going to put my two cents in.

Taki and Olivia are sisters and like most sisters, they do a lot together despite their age difference. Olivia, the younger sister, is eager to be with her big sister Taki, but the same cannot be said for Taki. She would prefer some alone time.

One evening, Taki goes to visit her best friend Kelly Sue with Olivia in tow. Unfortunately, it’s on the same night Kelly Sue’s father has lost his job and had another invention stolen out from under him. He is devastated and miserable and locks himself in the basement working on some things. It’s at that moment, when Taki and Olivia come for their visit, that there is a huge explosion.

The shaken girls go home. Taki wakes up without any memory of what happened afterward. But both girls are left with super-power abilities. Suddenly, even though Taki still craves time apart from her sister, she finds herself drawn to Olivia even more, if only to curb her little sister’s enthusiasm.

But their newfound superpowers have consequences. Kelly Sue’s dad is determined to use them to find out more about what he created. And Kelly Sue is also left with superpowers, but will she use them for good or evil?

There are so many twists and turns and exciting moments in this story. The relationship between Taki and Olivia felt very real, though I would have liked a little more backstory. This is a fun story – a typical origin story – with interesting elements. Your enemy was once your best friend? Sounds like a theme so many teens and tweens can identify with.

The artwork was bright and vivid. There was a balance of calm and frenetic depending on what was happening in the story.

I do believe that Takio can find a new audience, but it might need some selling if your readership are hard-core superhero fans or manga fans.

Filed under: Graphic Novels, Reviews