It has been far too long since the last time I did a review for a comic book, so today I am rectifying that by reviewing Pickhead Vol 1 -Bayou Beasties by Brrémaud and Giovanni Rigano. This is a middle grade comic book for children and young readers from Europe Comics, one of the best digital publishers for European comics into the English language. Brrémaud, originally from South Korea, but working in France, has been nominated for the Early Readers category of the Eisner Awards, and as such usually specializes in comic albums for children. His other works have included albums titled Soleil, Paquet, and Bamboo. The topic of today's review is a little book called Pickhead (Tête de pioche), which tells the story of a stubborn little girl that wields a huge pickaxe and has a way with all animals great and small. In the pages of this book, she sets out on an adventure across America to New Orleans to watch her sister perform at a cabaret club.

Pickhead Vol 1 -Bayou Beasties is designed for children, so don't into this expecting something like an Alan Moore book. While Pickhead (a nickname because of her affinity for carrying a huge pickaxe) should be imperiled quite a bit traveling hundreds of miles across the country at something like six years of age, she ultimately uses her extreme optimism and ability to communicate with animals to expertly navigate the land towards her destination. This puts her directly face-to-face with treacherous poachers, stuck up train passengers, wild animals, and even environmental dangers. Don't worry kids, Pickhead makes it there just in time and is able to see that tap-dance show!

The main thing that stands out here is the artwork by Giovanni Rigano. Colors are beautiful and everything - including even the most mundane human or animal character - is drawn with loads of charm and expression. It's the sort of book that would make the perfect template for an animated show at some point, if this got big enough for that to happen. It's a short fun read with interesting ideas and great artwork.

Overall, if you have kids that you are trying to get reading, something like Pickhead Vol 1 -Bayou Beasties might be a nice change of pace from the more adult-oriented American comic market. You just really don't see too many children's comics over here, and they aren't marketed in that way at all. Europe Comics is one of my favorite publishers for a reason - they take chances and release some stuff you won't find anywhere else.

Little Pickhead goes on an adventure to New Orleans to surprise her sister with a visit. It was a very adorable story with beautiful illustrations. I love the way Pickhead communicates with all the animals and always finds a way out of trouble.

I loved this book. It was so cute and cozy with just enough adventure. It also tackled the serious topic of poaching, highlighting how horrible it is, while also managing to be fun and ultimately give a happy ending, keeping it cheerful and heartwarming. The synopsis really does not do justice to the story, I got so much more from this than I expected. The art is such a fun style with vibrant colours that made each page such a delight to look at.

The only thing stopping me from rating 5 stars was that some parts of the story skipped ahead after only a brief mention, it felt a bit rushed. I felt it could have been a bit longer and that would have allowed a more balanced pacing.

Overall I really enjoyed this graphic novel and will be on the lookout for any more in the series and more by the author.
Thank you so much to the publisher for this review copy.

“Pickhead Volume One: Bayou Beasties“ by Brremaud with art by Rigano Giovanni is a graphic novel about a tenacious little girl who likes animals.

Pickhead got her name because she always carries around a miner's pick, and because she’s also a little bit pigheaded. When her sister gets a job in the bayou, Pickhead will do anything to see her. Her willpower means nothing will get in her way.

The story felt like a tall tale and I liked it. I think kids would have a good time reading this one. The art is pretty fun too. I liked Pickhead’s can-do attitude and her willingness to make friends.

A bonkers adventure for a young girl who yields a pick taller than her, as she decides to leave her gran living alone right up in the mountains, and travel right down to the bayou to see her older sister sing on stage. Along the way her skill at communicating with all the animals (well, most) helps her, as she is initially kidnapped by some poachers. If you don't mind the daft for daft sake, anything goes attitude here you might find this acceptable, if not more so, but it wasn't for me. Two and a half stars.

The concept here is a bit weird but the average kid is likely to roll with it. Odd details aside, it's a fairly standard adventure story with surprisingly low stakes. The illustrations are strong and will keep us turning the pages.

This was an adorable short read. It follows a young girl, Pickhead as she goes on an adventure to see her sister. The illustrations are gorgeous and the plot was really charming.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc.

This was a quick and short read and my 9yr old enjoyed this one very, very much! She is now asking for a sequel already!
The drawings are exquisite, truly beautiful! The story is also well-written and fun, captivating for the young audience. There should be more books like this one out there! Thank you, seriously love this one!

Such a lovely story about family, loneliness, longing, adventure and risking it all to get to see the ones you love. This was hilarious and unhinged, but also very soft, and the illustrations were truly breathtaking.

Overall, I enjoyed the illustrations and the story. The pacing, however, seemed a little off to me. It felt like it rushed and rushed to get through all these different locations and then she got in trouble but was then suddenly back with her sister. I think maybe if there had been less land to travel through and more detail about the time with her sister, or if it had been longer so it could have been more fleshed out. A lot of potential, and it was an enjoyable read, I just wanted more?

A sweet, charming graphic novel with a lot of heart and some gorgeous character and setting designs.

My goodness is Pickhead adorable. The illustrations are spot on and it was all simply so cute!
Can't wait to see what awaits

Pickhead is a cute graphic novel following Pickhead a little girl who lives in the woods with her grammy. When her sister sends her a letter about a concert she's doing in Bayou, Pickhead thinks that she invited her. But grammy doesn't want to go. So with the help of the animals, Pickhead goes on a big adventure. This graphic novel was really good and I can't wait to read the next one. Pickhead is a cute little girl and the illustrations are good that you can't help to love it.

I enjoyed reading this graphic novel.. The font size was much better then my last reviewed book, so I had a good idea what Pickhead was up to.

Pickhead was a child of the forest, who lived with her Grandparents. She spent her days carrying a long stick with a pick-head on it. She uses this stick to knock sense into the animals that she rescues from traps.

Her sister, a dancer, sent Pickhead a letter with a poster of a Bayou show. The problem? Pickhead lives way up north and the show with her sister is south and her Grandparents did not have monies for the journey. Pickhead takes off and starts traveling cross country.

Pickhead gets into trouble on the train she hops on. After the train, she continues going south by boat and gets into trouble deep in the swamp. Pickhead meets a Jaguar in trouble and being hunted, and helps with fighting off the hunters.

At last she gets to the venue her sister is dancing at, reuniting with her sister.

Fonys readable, art decent, story very decent. This ARC I would recommend for reading and collecting.

Thank you so much Netgalley for the ARC!

Pickhead is such a charming, adorable story that I had a huge smile on my face while reading it! The illustrations are gorgeous.

I love her beautiful bond with animals, which isn't surprising considering she can understand and speak their language. Once Pickhead sets to accomplish something, nothing can stop her from going after what she wants. So when her grandmother turns down her request to meet her sister at a tap dancing show, someone Pickhead rarely sees of late, she goes on an adventure of her own! Using various mischievous tricks and help from her animal friends, she overcomes the obstacles on road.

Wonderfully written with a great plot. Young kids will love this book.

Pickhead wants to go see her big sister's tap dance show and decided to go alone on a journey across the country to the Bayou. She finds trouble with some poachers. It's a fast read of only 58 pages full of action and adventure. (price is adequate for the size). Very well illustrated and beautiful backgrounds and colors.

This one definitely got some smiles out of me. I loved Pickhead’s sense of humour and the way she spoke to everyone around her.
I lost it at “ Hey! I’m not a filet mignon - quit treating me like one!”
I’d definitely recommend this one for kids!

This is an adorable comic book. The translation is very good. Illustrations go very well with the storyline. I really enjoyed it.

On top of a snowy mountain lives a young girl who can communicate with animals! Pickhead lives on the top of a mountain with her grandmother and spends most of her days outside rescuing hurt animals and exploring with her woodland friends. One evening she gets a letter from her sister in the mail telling her she'll be in the bayou in New Orleans for a show. Pickhead decides to run away from her home and adventure to the bayou to see her sister.

Pickhead is a such a hysterical character! I loved seeing her antics and how she gets through the many challenges that she encounters in her long journey! I laughed out loud several times! Her relationship with the animals she comes across is so cute and wholesome. The art in this graphic novel is so beautiful. This may be my favorite graphic novel of all time!

I can't wait to see where this series goes, I'm positive I'll be grabbing every one!

Thanks to NetGalley and Europe Comics for the e-version of this graphic novel for review. The opinions presented are all my own!

I first read it in its original French version several months ago, and I had really enjoyed it. So I couldn't resist checking it out in its English translation. It's a noteworthy graphic book not only for its great aesthetics but also the plot. Pickhead is a fun, caring and free-spirited character. She's got a special connection with animals and is also very family-oriented. She loves her grandma, but won't hesitate to travel long distances to see her sister and encourage her in her artistic endeavours in New Orleans. It's a fast-paced, action-filled story. A strong debut and I'm looking forward to the second book!