Tower of God (Tower of God #1)

A teen must battle his way through a mysterious, ever-changing tower to reunite with a loved one in S.I.U.’s dynamic graphic novel, originally a webcomic. Bam, portrayed with pale skin, short brown hair, and golden eyes, abruptly finds himself trapped inside the foreboding Tower while chasing after his best friend, Rachel. There, powerful contenders called Regulars compete against one another in a race to the top, where wealth, glory, and immortality purportedly wait. The Tower typically chooses the entrants, but Bam is a rare Irregular, able to enter on his own. If he hopes to see Rachel again, Bam—aided by a powerful magical sword gifted to him by enigmatic Lady Yuri—must use his wits and rely on the help of fellow travelers and villains to traverse the Tower’s vast floors, which boast giant monsters and deadly rivals. S.I.U.’s fluidly lined art, rendered in a classic manga style, features subdued colors and predominantly black backgrounds, imparting a void-like immensity that complements the setting’s expansive, fantastical inner workings. This creature-packed series opener finds its rhythm in energetic fight sequences peppered with humor that’s by turns slapstick and fatalistic. Ages 13–up. (Nov.)