SUMMER GAMES

It’s time for the summer tradition of capture the flag.

Duck, Rhino, and their respective groups of friends both have brand-new forts, and what better way to break them in than with a game of capture the flag? At the midway point between Team Far-Out Fort and Team Cool Cabin, the players go over the rules: Each team must get past “enemy lines” to the other side’s fort and steal the flag—all without being tagged. At Far-Out Fort, Duck and company decide to divide into two groups to sneak up on Team Cool Cabin while Pig stays behind to guard their flag. Overconfident Cat makes an ill-judged attempt to tag the other team, while Duck and several others try a move that leads to an ambush. Can Duck and his crew still come out the victors? Petrik’s cartoon art bursts with energy; clad in sunglasses, sweatbands, and baseball caps and spouting cool lingo (“NOT EVEN!” “Dude!”), the anthropomorphic characters brim with attitude. Those familiar with the series will notice plot threads from earlier installments playing out as the narrative continues and that characters previously relegated to the background get their moments to shine. The game drives this graphic novel, making it at once more action-oriented and less focused on character development than previous series entries. Nevertheless, it’s still fun, with high stakes that never get too intense.

A dynamite comic!