Youth Group

April 15, 2024
Three teens embrace their differences and unite to fight evil in this high-octane foray into the demon-slayer-comics meta by Morris (Out on a Limb) and McCurdy (Specter Inspectors). It’s the 1990s in Orange County, Calif., and Kay Radford reluctantly joins the youth group of her newly divorced mother’s evangelical church. Soon after, Kay unexpectedly stumbles upon youth group leaders Meg and Cortland exorcizing a demon from Cortland’s roommate. They enlist Kay in their exorcist cohort, to which she contributes her abilities as a Blight—a human who can’t be possessed by demons. As paranormal activity increases, Kay’s crew seeks strength in numbers, recruiting Jewish, Wiccan, and Catholic demon-fighting teams to work together against the creatures: “Anyone of any faith is invited as long as they love kicking demon butts.” McCurdy’s artwork nods to the fashion, music, and pop culture of the decade; saturated colors enrich the mood, especially during demon-fighting sequences, while layered panels enhance the feeling of movement. When these teens aren’t fighting monsters, they’re combatting adult-imposed barriers, flourishing when the unity of their righteous purpose trumps tired societal norms in this fast-paced adventure. Main characters read as white. Ages 14–up. Author’s agent: Dara Hyde, Hill Nadell Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Tamara Kawar, DeFiore & Co.

Starred review from May 15, 2024
Grades 8-12 *Starred Review* Kay and her mom have an agreement--if Kay attends the Underground Youth Group at her mom's church, Stone Mission, then she can apply to colleges in New York (where she can hopefully escape sunny California and her parents' recent divorce). Kay muscles through the meetings with sardonic quips critical of the institution of church and looks forward to mopey poetry readings in the woods with somewhat crush/friend Wilder. Unfortunately, the pull of Kay's true nature wins out when she stumbles upon happy-go-lucky valley girl Meg Parks, leader of the youth group, performing an exorcism with former burnout Cortland and Pastor Doug. Kay quickly learns that Hell and demons are quite real, and they're targeting her and others identified as "Blights," those immune to demonic possession. A distinctly 1990s backdrop with the era's satanic panic, pager tech, and quirky slang lightens the mood of demon fighting and religious existentialism, as Kay comes to terms with the intersections of faith and her newfound abilities. Thoughtful coloration contrasts the gravity of different scenarios throughout the work, with purple hues signaling interactions with demons, greens and blues emphasizing dread-ridden battles, and pinks relaying emotionally loaded conversations. Though the work could use a bit more world building and is more progressive than one might anticipate for the story's time period, Morris makes up for all with a nice contrast of humor and interfaith ponderings.

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May 15, 2024
After attending an evangelical Christian church, a girl becomes involved with a group of young exorcists. This graphic novel set in the 1990s follows Kay, a teen who agrees to attend church with her newly divorced mother. Kay's father makes her feel like she's his "fourth priority behind work, golf, and hitting on the hostess at Chili's." While her mom joins the adults for sermons by the bearded, ponytailed pastor, Kay attends the youth group, where the young leaders talk about avoiding temptation and perform an Ace of Base cover ("I saw the Christ / and it opened up my eyes"). Later, Kay is caught spying on the pastor and youth group leaders, who are attempting to exorcise a demon from a local man in a cabin in the woods. It emerges that Kay's a blight (someone impervious to demonic possession), making her blood highly desirable to demons, who take her father as bait. Needing allies if they hope to prevail, the evangelicals join forces with young Catholic, Jewish, and Wiccan exorcists. The expressive, delightfully over-the-top illustrations capture the era and enhance the strong pacing. Kay feels some reluctance toward her mother's church, but all the religions are treated with respect during the communal fight against evil. This work reads as a stand-alone work but would make for a great series opener. Main characters read white; the supporting cast is racially diverse. Full of comedic beats, demon expulsions, and '90s camp. (Graphic paranormal. 13-18)

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July 1, 2024

Gr 8 Up-The narrative set-up for Youth Group may be familiar to readers who have been a member of a non-denominational church, or those familiar with the practice of taking pop songs and converting the lyrics to a faith-focused message. Kay enters the teen area of Stone Mission Church and meets Meg and Cortland, who lead the service through its stereotypical ups and downs. It's only later that night when Kay sees them perform an exorcism that she finds out this "church stuff" is more exciting than she imagined. When the demons sense powers in her, Kay is swept up into a world that not only offers adventure but might also have something to do with her absent father. Morris has another hit here, following up his Eisner-nominated graphic novel, Bubble. The dialogue is witty and full of inside jokes for any who are familiar with the modern church and youth group. McCurdy brings both humanity and the supernatural to her illustrations, giving each character their own unique look. VERDICT Fun and fast-paced, this graphic novel will "jump for joy" right off shelves and is for anyone who can see the comedy in worship or identifies with the drive to save their corner of the world.-Adam Fisher

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