Using a bold palette of rich, fluorescent color, perfectly in keeping with the fierce intensity of roller derby, Ribon and Fish tell the story of two newbie derby girls as they make the way from fresh meat to seasoned pros, with the bruises to prove it. Jennifer and Maisie meet at their first roller derby practice, and they immediately become friends, helping each other gain skills and confidence. But when they're drafted by different teams, their friendship takes a hit. Ribon, an L.A. Derby Doll, emphasizes not only the girls' friendship but also the profound, empowering affect derby has on both, not to mention the riotous atmosphere of derby life. Of course, it's not all personal growth. There's plenty of dynamic, speedy derby action in Fish's artwork, and the montages of practices, jams, and bouts are packed with a diverse cast of strong women in a refreshingly broad range of body types. Though at times it moves fast enough that it glides over some character development, this gleefully cheeky, energetic comic still packs a significant punch.

Gr 10 Up-Athletic and brainy Jennifer Chu and recently dumped and anxious Maisie Huff meet at roller derby tryouts and become best friends. While the two young women bond over the hard-hitting and rough-and-tumble struggles of making the team while balancing their personal lives, they grow more confident in their skills and appreciative of the sport. However, Jennifer and Maisie are chosen for rival teams and their relationship may not survive the competition. This volume collects the first four issues of the girl-powered comics celebrating roller derby and female friendship. Moana screenwriter Ribon's snarky humor and biting dialogue perfectly complement Fish's ("Archie") fresh, dynamic art. The design and variation of the panels bring to life the frenetic pace of the high-energy sport. The diverse cast includes women of all sizes, sexual orientations, and cultural backgrounds, and the art and text work together seamlessly to make each of the characters multidimensional. Teens who are ready to graduate from Victoria Jamieson's Roller Girls, John Allison's "Bad Machinery," and the "Lumberjanes" comics will gravitate to this series. VERDICT Purchase where Allison's "Giant Days" and Brian K. Vaughan's "Paper Girls" are popular. An excellent choice for sports collections and graphic novel shelves for older teens. Shelley M. Diaz, School Library Journal