Amelia Rules!
Free Comic Book Day Edition
Written and drawn by Jim Gownley
Edited by Michael Cohen
Amelia Rules
Cover price: Free!!; Available now

Amelia Rules! is the best comic book out there that you should be reading. I know, it seems like such a huge claim to be made, but when you come across a comic that is this good, you do not feel like it is such an odd thing to say.

Amelia Rules! tells the story of 4th grade firecracker Amelia Mcbride, whose parents are going through a divorce. As a result, Amelia and her mom move out of New York City and into the small town life. It is here that Amelia encounters some new people that would change her life forever. With her “frienemy” Rhonda,” to potential love interest Reggie, to the mysterious ninja known only as Pajamaman, Amelia goes through all the benchmarks of life, from first dates, play dates, and first kisses.

This comic has so much going for it. For one thing, it is drawn and written solely by Jim Gownley. I am always impressed by anyone who can write and draw a comic. It is a rare talent and Gownley certainly does not squander it when producing this comic. The writing is smart, witty, and has an edge to it that would appeal to comic readers, young and old. Amelia and her group of friends come off as whip smart kids, but never come off as anything other than 4th graders. The art is equally great.

It is simple, but visually satisfying. When I look at the art, I can safely bet that Gownley put as much effort in his art as he does in his writing. With comics costing as much as they do, a comic fan wants to be able to pick up a comic book that they know both writer and artist put their best foot forward on. Any reader can tell Gownley puts all his passion into every page and every piece of dialogue, making the book that much better.

I really have nothing bad to say about this book other than how it was produced. The free comic book edition that I reviewed is actually a collection of previously published comics. I would have liked to see either a entirely new story or a full story, not a snippet of three. Each story is good enough in their abridged form, which is not all that bad.

I could write down all the great things about the book, from its warm characters, great writing, fun art, and age-friendly storylines but these are not the reasons why you should pick up this book. You, the average comic fan should pick up this comic book because good, timeless comics do not come along often. Most comics today have a shelf life. Whether it is the art or the writing style, time has shown that tastes change and what was once hot can be cold in a heat beat.

The true comics, the comics that actually stand the test of time, those are the books that deserve a read. Books like Peanuts, Bone, Owly, or Herobear and Kid, these are the books that have something about it that transcends art styles, writing styles, or trends. These are books that appeal to both adults and children. They tap into the essence of what every comic fan enjoys about comics. Amelia Rules! is definitely a book that does this and Gownley challenges you to prove him wrong.

On his website, newcomers can download the first issue and several other stories for free. If Gownley has this much confidence in the book, comic fans should take notice. I am also such a fan of his work that I would gladly send my copy of Amelia Rules! (The Free Comic book Edition) to the first person who emails . I will take care of all the shipping costs.

So what are you waiting for? Head over to the Amelia Rules! website or contact Geeks of Doom. A book this good still needs the attention and fan base so get to it, fanboys. Good comics thriving depends on you.