Macanudo

GR 7 Up—This Collection of comics that were originally published in the Argentine newspaper La Nacion combine elements of different comic strips that have been popular among American audiences. there are several recurring characters, such as Martin the penguin, Fellini the cat, and Z-25 The Sensitive Robot, who find themselves in humorous and surreal situations. The ink and watercolor artwork is vibrant and cartoony, and the artistic style is a cross between the Jim Meddick's Monty and Harold Gray's Little Orphan Annie ouevres. While most of these entries could be appreciated by teenagers and even by children, there are some references to subjects like abstract expressionism that would primarily be understood by adult readers. Some comics are surreal, as in Gary Larson's "The Far Side." A few look at childhood relationships in a nostalgic and sentimental way akin to Bill Watterson's "Calvin and Hobbes." Others mix the sweet and the absurd like Berkeley Breathed's "Bloom County." There is no ongoing story line and each strip stands on its own, so this title would be a good choice for those looking for a sweet, lighthearted graphic novel.—Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library