Descend into a world of magic, misfortune, and mischief in this comics anthology of South American folklore.Retold by an array of artists and writers with roots in South America, these 12 stories run the gamut from bittersweet to eerie. Rick Lazo's "The Muki's Deal" kicks it all off with aplomb. Visiting a small Peruvian mining town, Kori fights off boredom by searching for little creatures known as Mukis. Entries offer clever modern takes on these traditional stories; in Rodrigo Vargas' subversive Chilean "The Bum Who Tricked the Devil," a man strikes a deal with the devil-here depicted as a loan banker-to save his sister from debt. Ghoulish humor, suspenseful twists, and a range of artistic styles make this an immensely appealing work. Recurring themes (respect for nature, survival in the face of oppression) pop up throughout, and a range of heroes, dreamers, and survivors step into the spotlight to prevail over foes familiar and fantastical. In Shadia Amin's terrifying Colombian tale "Madre de Agua," a sick girl is healed by the Mother of Water in the light of day and, in turn, must save her brother from the creature's deathly grip under the shadow of night. In Lore Vicente's stellar, titular tale, the prince and his lover must travel many miles separately to break the Lizard Witch's curse and reunite.By turns gripping, haunting, and tender, this collection is a winner. (Graphic anthology. 10-12)

Descend into a world of magic, misfortune, and mischief in this comics anthology of South American folklore.Retold by an array of artists and writers with roots in South America, these 12 stories run the gamut from bittersweet to eerie. Rick Lazo's "The Muki's Deal" kicks it all off with aplomb. Visiting a small Peruvian mining town, Kori fights off boredom by searching for little creatures known as Mukis. Entries offer clever modern takes on these traditional stories; in Rodrigo Vargas' subversive Chilean "The Bum Who Tricked the Devil," a man strikes a deal with the devil-here depicted as a loan banker-to save his sister from debt. Ghoulish humor, suspenseful twists, and a range of artistic styles make this an immensely appealing work. Recurring themes (respect for nature, survival in the face of oppression) pop up throughout, and a range of heroes, dreamers, and survivors step into the spotlight to prevail over foes familiar and fantastical. In Shadia Amin's terrifying Colombian tale "Madre de Agua," a sick girl is healed by the Mother of Water in the light of day and, in turn, must save her brother from the creature's deathly grip under the shadow of night. In Lore Vicente's stellar, titular tale, the prince and his lover must travel many miles separately to break the Lizard Witch's curse and reunite.By turns gripping, haunting, and tender, this collection is a winner. (Graphic anthology. 10-12)