Karate Prom

In this Scott Pilgrim–leaning graphic novel romp, Starks (I Hate This Place) delivers a raucous send-up of 1980s teen comedies. When high school student Don “TheDragonWilson” Jones loses to Sam Steadman in the All-City Karate Tournament (she kicks him in the face), it’s one of the best and worst days of his life. Though the loss means that he’s out of the tournament, meeting Sam is a love-at-first-sight event that sets both their lives on an action-packed thrill ride of battling bullies, evil exes—of both the jerk and criminal variety—and the looming anxiety of life after high school. The creator’s lively cartoon-style illustrations add verve to the story’s over-the-top plot—Sam, Don, and their friends fight their way through mysterious soldiers of fortune at prom, the after party, and graduation in action sequences with high stakes and flying fists that move at a clip that would make fans of Netflix’s Cobra Kai proud. It’s a fun, rapidly paced adventure well-suited for anyone who misses old-fashioned NES beat-’em-ups. Characters are portrayed with varying skin tones. Ages 14–up. (May)