Rickety Stitch and the Gelatinous Goo: The Road to Epoli by Ben Costa and James Parks
Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2017, 208 pages
About the Author: Ben Costa is a writer and cartoonist living in the Bay Area. In addition to Rickety Stitch, he is the author of the award-winning, martial arts/historical fiction graphic novel series Pang, The Wandering Shaolin Monk. He received an MFA in Writing from California College of the Arts in 2008. Ben is also a huge fan of tabletop RPGs, playing and designing them any chance he gets. (Bio taken from the official Rickety Stitch website.)
Twitter: @bencosta
About the Author: James Parks is a speculative fiction writer and graphic novelist living in the Bay Area. James lives off of: monster flicks, ghostbusting, samurai cinema, and comics–with a sober dose of Victorian literature and 80s cartoons. Creating a series of fantasy graphic novels for kids is his dream. In addition to Rickety Stitch, James is the author of the southern gothic, horror collection, The Gospel of Bucky Dennis. James was also a staff writer for Campfire Graphic Novels and is currently a member of the Horror Writer’s Association. (Bio taken from the official Rickety Stitch website.)
Twitter: @jamestheparks
Series Website: https://ricketystitch.com/
Series Twitter: @ricketystitch
Instagram: @ricketystitch
Rickety Stitch: The Road to Epoli follows the story of a skeleton singer (a stitch) and his friend Gooey, a gelatinous goo. This unlikely duo finds themselves on the road after being laid off from their jobs at a dungeon due to Rickety Stitch’s laziness and Gooey’s fear of the dark. Shunned by monsters and humans alike, the pair travels across the land, encountering imps, giants, and gnomes. While traveling, Rickety Stitch is haunted by dreams of a dark lord and the mystical city of Epoli. Throughout the journey, he slowly pieces together a song about an adventurer finding the lost city.
Rickety Stitch: The Road to Epoli blends comedy and action while delivering an engaging and fun story. Their tale incorporates lore and music into the creation of a setting that seems lived-in and full of history. The unlikely duo stands out from the background with their distinct and dynamic looks compared to the rest of the world. Gooey especially is striking and fluid in his art, as well as hilariously expressive throughout the piece. The world of Rickety Stitch includes both darkness and light, but fun and enjoyment stand out the most. I am excited to see what this world will bring next.
PRR Writer Jon Kresal
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