Mandarine & Cow #1

The first volume of Mandarine & Co arrives with a cover that sets the tone perfectly: a wide-eyed, anxious blond kid stands in the foreground looking utterly outnumbered, while a gaggle of wild-grinning, chaotic figures crowd the doorway behind him — the subtitle "Seul contre tous" (Alone Against Everyone) says it all. Published by Milan Presse in 2008, this French youth comic promises the kind of scrappy, relatable humor that comes from feeling like the whole world is conspiring against you. A charming and energetic opener for what looks like a wonderfully funny series.