Mermin Volume 2: The Big Catch

Mermin #2

by Joey Weiser

Despite Pete and the gang's efforts to keep the fish-boy Mermin from making waves in their small town, he can't help but stick out! An amateur team of paranormal investigators has their sights on Mermin, and they think he's their chance to make it big! Meanwhile, Benni, Mermin's round aquatic companion, is ready to spill the beans about their lives in the underwater kingdom of Mer, but perhaps things aren't as simple as he says..."

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Fantasy, Childrens

136 pages, Hardcover

First published November 6, 2013

About the author

Joey Weiser is the Eisner Award-nominated author of DRAGON RACER, GHOST HOG, and the MERMIN graphic novel series from Oni Press. His comics work ranges from writing and drawing for SPONGEBOB COMICS to coloring the JEDI ACADEMY: A NEW CLASS series. His first graphic novel, THE RIDE HOME, was published in 2007 by AdHouse Books. He is a graduate of the Savannah College of Art & Design and currently lives in Athens, Georgia.

Reviews

[Kristen Harvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mermin's second adventure includes defeating a bully, warding off two agents that want to capture him and continue making friends. I like the illustrations and the different characters. It's definitely appropriate for younger readers and would think about adding this to my library collection.

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mermin is a fun graphic novel for kids and kids at heart (like me!). Mermin is a fish-boy from somewhere else. He's made friends with Pete and goes to school with him, but he kind of sticks out. So much so that there are a couple of paranormal researchers are interested in capturing him. Also, Mermin has a character named Benni who is trying to spill the beans about who Mermin really is.

Themes of friendship and bullying are explored on a surface level. The humor is pretty funny as the paranormal team can't seem to make a trap that can hold Mermin, and all they seem to have to use are pieces of junk. Benni is always on the verge of saying the wrong thing, and Mermin just innocently goes around having fun with the other kids.

It's all pretty simple and straightforward and just what a 7 or 8 year old would probably love. It reminds me of the Gold Key comics of my youth, with the kind of innocence that you don't see in much of what is presented to children these days. Joey Weiser the artist and creator is one of the writers of Spongebob Comics and Caveman In Space. I liked it a lot.

I was provided a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this graphic novel.

[Ham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This might be the first time I've written the first review for a book.
I'll try to keep it objective.

I got this from NetGalley. Although I hadn't read the first of the series, I enjoyed the story and the art. A couple parts made me chuckle, but mostly it felt like a B grade kids' movie. I was hoping for an unexpected twist, but got a fistful of cliches, instead.

That said, my six, four, and two-year-old seemed to enjoy it.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very similar plot and sequence of events to the first book, but still very excited about the third volume. The first book made me really care about the characters and I still have so many questions.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was better than the first volume. Good continuation of the series.

[Kai · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mermin Volume 2: The Big Catch by Joey Weiser is a children's graphic novel scheduled for release on November 6 2013. You can see my thoughts on the first volume Mermin, Book One: Out of Water here.This installment of the tale surrounding an Atlantian prince with fish like features living with humans, takes place shortly after the first volume. Mermin and the watchful Benni stick out despite the efforts of Pete and their friends. A bully, an inquisitive girl, and some amateur paranormal investigators are all on their tale and eager to get some answers. Benni seems more than happy to share some answers with the right people, and it becomes clear that Mermin's home life is much more complicated than he wants to admit.

Mermin Volume 2: The Big Catch had the same fun feel and look as the first, and some goofy villains to foil, however I felt like it was not as much of a story as the first volume had been. The conflict with the bully was good, the goofy investigators trying to capture Mermin and Benni were good, and Penny trying to find out exactly what Mermin is was good. However, the larger story arc about who Mermin happens to be in the royal family and the particulars of the fishy telepathy seemed to take a back burner here. They were mentioned, but did not get the coverage that I was hoping for. This felt almost like a side story or placeholder to keep us interested but not doing much to further the story arc.

I would recommend Mermin Volume 2: The Big Catch to those that really loved Mermin, Book One: Out of Water and have big hopes for the story as a whole. I will keep reading, since I did enjoy both volumes so far despite my disappointment with the lack of plot development.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

What do you get when you cross a prince of the Mer Realm, his adviser-to-be Benni, and a bunch of school kids? Lots of laughs and action! Mermin is visiting human civilization from the underwater kingdom of his people. He and Benni are staying with Pete and Mermin is even attending Pete's school. A few of Pete's friends know that Mermin is not just an odd-looking transfer student, but the rest of the school is not in on the secret.

In this volume of the series, Mermin and Benni are being stalked by two men trying to start up a paranormal investigation unit. They try to capture Mermin with nets and cages, then bring out their heavy equipment - a giant robot built from old appliances. Mermin shows off his incredible strength in the fight scenes with the robot. (He is pretty amazing for such a little dude.)

There is a good balance of dialogue and action. Readers who enjoy Dragonbreath or other stories with aliens, mutants, and unknown species with superhuman powers will enjoy this book.

I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

[Aleece · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mermin... who is he and where does he come from. Benni his round friend begins leaking information about who Mermin is and to make life interesting some paranormal investigators come to take Mermin in order to cash in.

This is a nice graphic novel for boys with some humor and interesting characters. I liked that there was not a lot of text to distract from the illustrations. I like when the illustrations are clear enough to tell the story. Short chapters also break the book up nicely and continue where the last chapter leaves off. Seems interesting enough to continue reading.


I received this advanced copy from Oni Press through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoa! This is so much better than the first one; I'm really glad I continued on with this series. I love the art, Mermin is so cute but whereas the plot in the first one was lame here we have a very action-filled plot from beginning to end. The book begins with two guys trying to capture Mermin and doesn't end until, well I won't tell you how it ends. However, they are on the go from page one. One new character is added to the gang, a girl, a tough girl, which was needed as she seems to round out the main cast of characters nicely. We also learn Mermin's secret but there is a part he isn't telling us about and I'm looking forward to finding out with his next adventure in Book Three.

[Connor Doyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really good comic book about some people from underwater and a strange fish guy comes out and then they have some problems with him. in book two the main character Mermin has pest control/private investigators trying to chase after him.

[Diane Greiner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty basic read. Not much depth in the story. It would not compel me to pick up another volume.