Reviewed by: The Wrenchies by Farel Dalrymple April Spisak Dalrymple, Farel The Wrenchies; written and illus. by Farel Dalrymple. First Second/Roaring Brook, 2014 302p Paper ed. ISBN 978-1-59643-421-9 $19.99 R Gr. 10 up In this graphic novel that eludes straightforward plot summary, readers immediately enter a world where epic violence is the norm, science fiction tropes abound, and kids may save one of a few different times/world—if they aren’t murdered first. There are the Wrenchies, and they exist both in the real world and in a comic being read by Hollis, a nervous, superhero-costume-wearing kid who is certain he will one day be great. There are also Sherwood and Orson, who encounter a demon that will change their lives forever. Best to just take the leap immediately and hope it all lines up at the end, and it does, though not without a great deal of ambiguity. The non-linear format means that either careful reading or multiple reads may be necessary, but both are well worth it as the art is stunning, even in its gore. The use of swampy colors and sharp lines highlights the hellscapes in which these kids live, but Dalrymple also employs the occasional light hand, offering a portrait so delicately vulnerable that the reader gets immediate insight into the character. A mix of full-page spreads and comic book–style panels are used effectively to highlight key events while also keeping pace with the lightning quick text. Fans of Rapp’s Ball Peen Hammer will be equally enthralled with this nightmarish but impeccably rendered look at a few overlapping worlds and the kids who seem doomed despite their efforts. [End Page 17] Copyright © 2014 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois