David A. Robertson’s Version Control is Volume 2 of The Reckoner Rises graphic novel series. The illustrations are vivid, imaginative, and engaging for mature readers. Indigenous representation is present in the characters, and the story is connected to the community of Wounded Sky First Nation. This installment is a terrific addition to graphic novel libraries and connects to the genres of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. With lifelike characters and cliffhanging suspense, this story creates the sense of urgency that makes the series a success. David A. Robertson is from the Norway House First Nation and is the author of many award-winning books, from children’s books to young adult books and memoirs. This book is the selected award winner of the Manuela Dias Book Design and Illustration Awards and is the joint winner of the Manitowapow Award for 2023.

Cautions / Content Warnings: Violence, mature themes, coarse language, and nudity.
Images: Colour illustrations
Contributor Affiliation: Author David A. Robertson (Cree), Illustrators Scott B. Henderson, Donovan Yaciuk, Andrew Thomas
Bibliography: No
Index: No

Source: Books BC - Indigenous Books for Schools

DAVID A. ROBERTSON is the winner of the Beatrice Mosionier Aboriginal Writer of the Year Award, the John Hirsch Award for Most Promising Manitoba Writer and the TWUC Freedom to Read Award. His books include The Barren Grounds: The Misewa Saga; When We Were Alone (winner of the Governor General’s Award, a finalist for the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award and a McNally Robinson Best Book for Young People); Will I See? (winner of the Manuela Dias Book Design and Illustration Award, graphic novel category); and the YA novel Strangers (recipient of the Michael Van Rooy Award for Genre Fiction). He is the creator and host of the podcast Kiwew. Through his writings about Canada’s Indigenous peoples, Robertson educates as well as entertains, reflecting Indigenous cultures, histories and communities while illuminating many contemporary issues. David A. Robertson is a member of Norway House Cree Nation. He lives in Winnipeg.

 

David A. Robertson's profile page

Scott Henderson (he/him/his) is author/illustrator of the sci-fi/fantasy comic, The Chronicles of Era and has illustrated select titles in the Canadian Air Force’s For Valour series and Tales From Big Spirit series, the graphic novel series 7 Generations and A Girl Called Echo, select stories in This Place: 150 Years Retold, Fire Starters, an AIYLA Honour Book, and Eisner-award nominee, A Blanket of Butterflies. In 2016, he was the recipient of the C4 Central Canada Comic Con Storyteller Award. https://scotthendersonart.wordpress.com/

Scott B. Henderson's profile page

Since 1998, Donovan Yaciuk (he/him/his) has done colouring work on books published by Marvel, DC, Dark Horse comics, and High Water Press including A Girl Called Echo and Breakdown: Reckoner Rises series and This Place: 150 Years Retold. Donovan holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) from the University of Manitoba and began his career as a part of the legendary, now-defunct Digital Chameleon colouring studio. He lives in Winnipeg, MB Canada, with his wife and two daughters.
 

Donovan Yaciuk's profile page

Andrew Thomas (he/him/his) is a well-known cartoonist, graphic designer, and comic book letterer from Brantford, Ontario. As an illustrator, Andrew has done interior and cover art for Captain Canuck, Archie's Friend Scarlet, and other independent publications. His most notable achievement was winning Favorite Artist and Favorite Comic Book at the CanComics Wiki Awards for his acclaimed and co-created Canadian comic series, Auric of the Great White North.

As a comic book letterer, Andrew has worked on over 100 publications for companies including Disney, Archie Comics, Lev Gleason Publications, and, most recently, Dark Horse Comics, where he is working on new comics from writer/director Kevin Smith.

Follow Andrew on Instagram @thefatmanwholetters

Andrew Thomas' profile page

• Long-listed, First Nation Communities READ
• Joint winner, Manitowapow Award
• Winner, Manuela Dias Book Design and Illustration Awards, Graphic Novel

Once again, the illustrations of award-winning Scott B. Henderson and the colouring of Donovan Yaciuk bring the story and its characters and settings to life. Robertson leaves his readers on a cliff edge at the end of Version Control. Stay tuned for volume three of the series! Highly recommended.

CM Association

Powerful, immersive storytelling, with the additional force of kinetic art by Scott B. Henderson and colouring by Donovan Yaciuk. In addition to the explosive superhero storyline, the novel also contains a powerful exploration of trauma and loss, the aftershocks of heroics, and the human cost of being superhuman.

Quill & Quire

This striking and brilliantly coloured work brings the reader into a visual page-turner.

Manitoba Book Awards

Stunningly illustrated by Scott B. Henderson, David A. Robertson's Indigenous young adult story delivers an emotional and suspenseful adventure that humanizes the dark reality of super-powered beings.

Ramón K Pérez

Version Control beautifully navigates friendship and action with stunning illustrations and a superhero heart tinged with horror. You'll be desperate for volume three once you hit the final page.

Chip Zdarsky

Among CBC Books 15 Canadian Comics We Can't Wait to Read in Spring 2022

CBC Books