Karate Prom

by Kyle Starks

Overview

Don “TheDragonWilson” Jones is the finest fighter Benjamin Harrison High School has ever produced. But when he enters the ring against Lincoln High’s Sam Steadman, it’s love at first knockout.

Unfortunately, Sam has a jerky ex-boyfriend…and Don has a seriously terrifying ex-girlfriend. Like, “global crime cartel” terrifying. From prom to the after-party to graduation, Don and Sam—and an increasingly eclectic cast of supporting oddballs—will have to fight their way through a gauntlet of opponents, all in the name of love (and punching). Did we mention the punching?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250868664
Publisher:	First Second
Publication date:	05/07/2024
Pages:	176
Sales rank:	172,546
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.37(d)
Age Range:	14 - 18 Years

About the Author

Kyle Starks is a two-time Eisner nominated comic creator from Southern Indiana. He is best known as the longest tenured writer and occasional artist for Oni Press's RICK AND MORTY comic. He was nominated for Eisners for Sexcastle and Rock Candy Mountain for best humor publication.

Editorial Reviews

03/04/2024

In this Scott Pilgrim–leaning graphic novel romp, Starks (I Hate This Place) delivers a raucous send-up of 1980s teen comedies. When high school student Don “TheDragonWilson” Jones loses to Sam Steadman in the All-City Karate Tournament (she kicks him in the face), it’s one of the best and worst days of his life. Though the loss means that he’s out of the tournament, meeting Sam is a love-at-first-sight event that sets both their lives on an action-packed thrill ride of battling bullies, evil exes—of both the jerk and criminal variety—and the looming anxiety of life after high school. The creator’s lively cartoon-style illustrations add verve to the story’s over-the-top plot—Sam, Don, and their friends fight their way through mysterious soldiers of fortune at prom, the after party, and graduation in action sequences with high stakes and flying fists that move at a clip that would make fans of Netflix’s Cobra Kai proud. It’s a fun, rapidly paced adventure well-suited for anyone who misses old-fashioned NES beat-’em-ups. Characters are portrayed with varying skin tones. Ages 14–up. (May)

Publishers Weekly

"True to its title, ­Karate Prom creates a joy-filled story about two teens who want to be together so badly, they are willing to fight for it. A tale for ­lovers and fighters alike." –School Library Journal, starred review

"The story feels like a playful tribute to ’80s pop culture that’s gone off the rails." –Kirkus

"It’s a fun, rapidly paced adventure well-suited for anyone who misses old-fashioned NES beat-’em-ups." –PW

"Teens will be tickled by the humorous plotlines and outrageous expressions here, as well as the oft-tested strength of Don and Sam’s blossoming relationship." –Booklist

From the Publisher

★ 04/01/2024

Gr 8 Up—Don Jones is running late for the All-City Karate Tournament, having spent too much time training. Arriving just moments prior to his match, he heads into the ring before his friends can warn him about his opponent. He is able to lay eyes on Sam Steadman, proclaiming her incredibly beautiful—before she knocks him out with one punch. After the tournament is over, Don and Sam bond over snow cones and she asks him to go with her to prom. Readers, be ready! These two have begun a relationship that culminates in one of the craziest proms ever, full of fighting not only other students, but a band of ninjas! Starks brings all the high jinks and hilarity that he was known for in the "Rick and Morty" comics to this coming-of-age tale, uniting two staples known to all high school students: fighting and prom. Some of the characters fit archetypes you'd expect in a story like this, but the author adeptly subverts assumptions. VERDICT True to its title, Karate Prom creates a joy-filled story about two teens who want to be together so badly, they are willing to fight for it. A tale for lovers and fighters alike.—Adam Fisher

School Library Journal