'Sci-Fu' with story and art by Yehudi Mercado is a graphic novel story with a mashup of hip-hop, sci-fi, and kung-fu.

Wax is a young, aspiring DJ.  He seems to be more though.  When his entire building (including the store downstairs) is sent hurtling off ot another planet, he finds out he has been chosen to fight off an assortment of odd looking robot (robot chicken and teddy bear anyone?).  The weapon the bad guys have is a really bad tape that Wax created for his crush, but Wax is a quick study and with help, he'll get everyone back safely to Brooklyn.

I really liked the whole approach in this graphic novel.  The story was a bit over the top, but it matched everything else.  The humor is pretty good too.  The art is a really great style and very colorful.  I also liked the included playlist of songs.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Oni Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

My son enjoyed this and the retro/80’s styling felt both reminiscent and fresh.
It’s sometimes difficult to get children to read, so being able to introduce him to a variety of texts is incredibly important, he was excited to read the next one.

Awesome! So original. Story and illustrations are both excellent. I am a producer of film and television and read for this purpose. The book isn't the right fit for my buyers at this time, but I very much enjoyed it. Thank you.

I have been given this book for an honest review. I did not enjoy this book. I did not think the plot was strong enough. I do however like the plot, I thought the story was entertaining. If the author worked a little harder on creating the characters (emotionally) then this book would be better. Again, I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't a big fan of the story, but the artwork is stunning and we absolutely need more graphic novels with representation like this, and fans of 80s references will love this.

Got this free from Netgalley. Loved the art. My 9-yr-old boy gave it 3 stars, my 11-yr-old girl gave it 5. I would've given it one or two because I can't stand rap, or rhyming books, and the hood culture was a confusing and tedious to me since I'm about as white bread as they come. But I did really appreciate how the expletives were beeped out in a silly middle grade fashion, and that it wasn't try to be edgy. Despite it being not to my taste, I think this is a book that lots of kids will adore. Especially those with a proclivity for rap.

I loved the topic of this book. Not all boys are basketball stars and I think the main characters storyline did a very good job of reflecting the varieties of interests a boy can have. Mixing 80's hip-hop with Kung-Fu seems so fresh and unique. The hip-hop component felt like a very authentic representation of my culture as an African American and person of color growing up in an urban city in the 80's and 90's, and even though it had strong fantasy/sci-fi elements,  I appreciated seeing things that brought me back to my childhood, like the ice cream truck, the boombox, and the cassette tapes. . I would definitely recommend this to any kid who may be hesitant to pick up a book since the graphic novel format is visually more stimulating. Overall, I thought this book was great.

I grew up in the Midwest. Hip-hop and breakdancing were never really a part of my world. Luckily, you don't really need to be hyper-familiar with hip-hop culture to understand and enjoy this story. The plot is satisfyingly complex, with a sort of Scott Pilgrim vibe. The real selling point, here, is the art. Mercado has found the perfect balance between text and illustrations, allowing both elements to tell parts of the story. A great choice for readers looking for something off the beaten path.

This was gorgeously illustrated and the story was interesting but it just didn’t wow me. And that has everything to do with my reading preferences, not the graphic novel.

DNF

2.5

My first time reading/reviewing a "comic book" so my expectations could have been way too low or high but.... The book started off somewhat strong, then completely spiraled in my opinion.

A cool concept and art work that no doubt takes you on a funky adventure. Was way to long for my liking taking the subject and story line, but that may differ from person to person. Not one of my strongest recommendation due to my dislikes. But hey, different strokes. -Zoe

Where do I begin, how about Mercado is phenomenal!  This is a clear expression of pure love for hip hop and science fiction.  If I didn’t know any better, I would’ve thought Mercado grew up in BK!  There were times that I was rapping Wax's Lyrics, "the D" reminded me so much of myself I almost felt like he'd been a fly on the wall at my family home!  I wish there were more graphic novels like this when I was younger and I can’t wait to have my son check this out at my job!  I have our Library Manager considering all things Mercado for a next couple book orders.  Hurry up and produce more magic!  I can’t wait to have "Yehudi Mercado" represented in our library, it will be an honor!

A blended up puree of Scott Pilgrim and Parappa the Rapper with a swirl of Run DMC.

This is probably one of the most fun graphic novels that I have read recently! The raps come through perfectly lyrically and the art is just gorgeous! Tonally, Sci-Fu reminds me of a mash-up of a Cartoon Network series and a shonen manga, which is absolutely a good thing for the patrons in my library!

This novel was a very interesting one. The message was very concise and fun. Great read!

Wax is a kid from Brooklyn, he loves DJing, rapping and hanging out with his best friend. One day, as he’s DJing, something very weird happens and his entire house and the street near it is transported into another planet and dimension.
The welcoming committee is a talking snowman that tells him he’s a sci-fu master and and a giant robot that tries to kill him.
That’s when trouble starts…

When I read the synopsis, I was very intrigued. It seemed like a very interesting idea. And it was interesting. Sadly, it was also confusing, too much was happening too fast, it lacked built up. I also couldn’t feel the love between the characters and I didn’t have time to fall for them either.
It all just felt rushed. And that’s a damn shame.

Sci-Fu is a fun graphic novel. The characters were diverse. Illustrations were colorful and full of action. I loved the classic rap lyrics throughout the text. I think this novel will truly capture the imagination of my students especially the boys.

My girls - 9 and 11 years old - both read this and loved it! The both enjoy music and science fiction and they said this was a really fun read. Some of the 80's stuff went over their heads, but it really was a delightfully fun graphic novel.

This book was awesome. I would recommend it to everyone - it was really funny and well written. I think many kids would love this book and the adventures of Wax, Cooky P, the D, Pirate Polly, Kabuki Snowman, and Uncle Rashad. It is about being true to yourself and following through on your word. This book also shows that training and hard work can help one accomplish their goals. The art is also really good, and the villain are believable as well as funny. The whole book has great humour and I love the rap bits.

Good little middle-grade graphic novel that manages to seamlessly connect sci-fi and hip-hop in 1980s Brooklyn. Some of the references may go over the head of younger readers, but all the knowing inclusions that Mercado adds into the narrative don't detract from the story-telling, so readers won't get drawn out or lost in this.
The art style is influenced by '80s street art, and although a few panels are noisy making it hard to distinguish the voices and stalling the narrative a few times, it adds to the over-all theme of the comic.
Would recommend for readers aged 10-14, and probably parents aged 40-60 too!

’80s Nostalgia Like Whoah

Thirteen-year-old Wax wants to be the best DJ in the world – but little does he know that the very fate of “Planet Brooklyn” will rely on his skills. It’s 1980-something, and young Wax is recording a song for his crush, the aptly named Pirate Polly, when he inadvertently answers an intergalactic challenge. Wax, his crew, his entire block – all are transported to a planet called Discopia, where Wax must best a giant robot named Choo Choo and his crew, the Five Deadly Dangers, in order to save everyone he loves. 

There’s so much to love here, I don’t even know where to start. SCI-FU is such a fun mashup of all things ’80s: Wax’s training montages with mentor Kabuki Snowman are like the bizarro sci-fi version of THE KARATE KID, and the style left me yearning for a FRESH PRINCE marathon. Between Teddy Backspin (read: Ruxpin) and the Transformer-esque Choo Choo, there are a fair number of elements that could feel like rip-offs, at least in lesser-skilled hands. But Mercado walks the line between homage and pinching with ease. If you lived through the ’80s, you’re all but guaranteed to be in on the joke. 

Oh, and there’s an ’80s hip-hop playlist at the end! How cool is that?

And the cast! Wax is adorable and sweet in that way that makes you want to bake him a batch of cookies and pinch his little chipmunk cheeks. His little sister D is like the animated version of Diane from BLACK(ISH), which is to say that she’s as smart as she is diabolical, and you most definitely want to keep her happy and on your side. Pirate Polly is rad AF, and I kind of love that Mercado never bothers to explain the eye patch and nickname (which came first? Is the patch functional or decorative? Is she a distant relation of One-eyed Willie maybe?) The Ultimate Showdown with the Boom Box of Doom is one of my favorite scenes, for obvious reasons. 

I also adored Uncle Rashaad, who owns an ice cream truck and speaks in ice cream flavored expletives. The back story for why Wax and D are living with him is pretty great too. I really hope we meet the ‘rents in a later installment of the series. There’s some serious superhero potential there too. 

SCI-FU is definitely on the bizarre side, but if you can embrace the weirdness, you will have a good time.