Benni Bärenstark #9

The ninth volume of Benni Bärenstark arrives with a cover that perfectly captures the series' spirit of scrappy, wide-eyed adventure — the blond, red-jacketed boy hero leaping through a bright blue sky, fists clenched, with a low-flying aircraft swooping overhead and a distant island paradise visible on the horizon. Titled "Auf Benni kommt es an!" ("It's Up to Benni!"), the 2014 Splitter Verlag release signals that our pint-sized protagonist has some serious sky-high action ahead. Peyo's cheerful ligne claire style keeps everything feeling lively and fun, making this a welcoming pick for longtime fans and newcomers alike.