Genre

Graphic Novels Science Fiction Historical Fiction Middlegrade

Audience

Ages 9 and Up

Author’s Worldview

Catholic

Year Published

2023

Themes

Mary, Ethics, Responsibility, Industrial Age, St. Maximilian Kolbe, Robots, AI, The Miraculous Medal

 

Reviewed by

A.R.K. Watson

It’s the 1920’s in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Max, a young technical genius, has just finished building the world’s first housekeeping robot. When he learns that his patrons actually intend to use his creations for criminal activities, Max has to think fast to thwart them. In doing so he becomes a superhero in his own right.

 In any tech-powered super-hero story these days it is impossible to avoid comparing it to Iron Man, but aside from the tech, Medal Knight has some unique differences. The first one is that the hero is a regular young man and not a billionaire. The fun 1920’s setting also sets it apart. The other difference is the overt Catholic theme of Mary and the Miraculous medal. Devotion to Our Lady is a real and present inspiration to the hero and his mother. At the back of the comic there are pages explaining more about the inspiration that St. Maximilian Kolbe and his Militia Immaculata had on the comic. Besides those two pages, though, the story is providing some good old-fashioned entertainment, motorcycle chases, and the promise of more to come.

As a longtime devotee of St. Kolbe AND a science fiction fan this hit all my nerd buttons in the best way. Even the way the artists drew Max looks like pictures of St. Kolbe from his younger years, making this feel like an alternate history where St. Kolbe became the inventor he’d considered becoming before joining the priesthood. I wonder if this Max will end up traveling the world, visiting the Japanese Christians only recently release from hiding, and saving Jews from Hitler the way his real-life inspiration did.

Catholics and Marvel fans alike will quickly fall in love with this series. Because of its more overt Marian and saint themes, it might not be as well received by non-Catholics. The Finnian series might be a better gateway for introducing them to Catholic inspired comics. But I see no reason why every Catholic home, school, and parish should not keep a copy of this on hand. Voyage comic has quickly come to be synonymous with effortless education and entertaining story.

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A hilarious espionage action adventure in the Vatican. Also a halberd fight scene. Nuff Said.

Jonah’s Voyage to Atlantis by Voyage Comics

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August & September New Book Releases

Step into Fall with a Good Book

Outlaws of Ravenhurst, by Sr. M. Imelda Wallace, S.L.

The 10-year-old heir of a noble Scottish family must choose between his inheritance and his Catholic faith.

Finnian and the Seven Mountains (Vol.2) By, Philip Kosloski and Michael Lavoy

Can one map be the key to stopping the Viking Invasion?

The Lost Vessel by Mark Adderley

McCracken joins a treasure hunt for Captain Nemo’s lost ship in this exciting adventure that adds another chapter to Jules Verne’s greatest creation.

Saving the Statue of Liberty By Andrea Jo Rodgers

Can John save the Statue of Liberty and keep from getting kicked off the team and out of the Academy?

The Light by Jacqueline Brown

Even as the world & nation she knew winks out of existence, Bria discovers family secrets that leave her questioning everything.

PANIC! (unSPARKed #3) by Corinna Turner

It’s a three hour drive unSPARKed, and for city-folk, anything might cause PANIC!

The Wistful and the Good by G. M. Baker

Two weeks after the sacking of Lindisfarne, Norse traders aren’t welcome in Northumbria. But they’re here. Does a Viking really have a chance with an English noblewoman?

McCracken and the Lost Oasis by Mark Adderley

A swashbuckling adventure into Catholic history and archeology.

The Wolf, the Lamb, and the Air Balloon by Corinna Turner

A wolf, a lamb, an air balloon—what could go wrong?

A Distant Prospect by Annette Young

Lucy has been broken by the horrors of polio and the war for Irish Independence. Can Australia offer her a new life and a new home?

A World Such As Heaven Intended

Amara didn’t intend to fall in love with a Union soldier. Is love even possible in her war-torn world?

Heavenly Hosts: Eucharistic Miracles for Kids by Kathryn Griffin Swegart, O.F.S.

Teach your children about the real presence through these short bedtime stories.

Will Wilder and the Relic of Perilous Falls

Follow Will Wilder as he discovers a hidden world, fights demons and rescues a hidden treasure!

Discovery by Karina Fabian

What happens when a team of sisters join a treasure hunt for the first alien ship? Oddly enough, a lot of hilarity.

Please Don’t Feed the Dinosaurs by Corinna Turner

A series of dino adventures that has been doing better what the mainstream Jurassic Park series only recently attempted.