About the Author
Kwame Mbalia is the New York Times best-selling author of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, for which he received a Coretta Scott King Author Honor award. The book was also named to best-of-the-year lists compiled by Publishers Weekly, the Chicago Public Library, and the New York Times. The second book in the trilogy is Tristan Strong Destroys the World, and Tristan Strong Keeps Punching is the third. Kwame also co-wrote Last Gate of the Emperor with Prince Joel Makonnen and edited the instant New York Times best-seller Black Boy Joy: 17 Stories Celebrating Black Boyhood. Kwame lives with his wife and children near Raleigh, North Carolina, where he is currently working several projects, including a new middle grade series. Follow him on Twitter @KSekouM.
Robert Venditti is a New York Times best-selling author whose characters and concepts have been adapted to film and television. He has written the monthly comic book series "X-O Manowar" and "Wrath of the Eternal Warrior" for Valiant Entertainment, "Green Lantern," "The Flash," and "Justice League" for DC, and the children's novel series Miles Taylor and the Golden Cape. He has also adapted Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus graphic novels. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia and can be found on Twitter @robertvenditti.
Olivia Stephens is a graphic novelist, illustrator, and writer from the Pacific Northwest. She is the author of Artie and the Wolf Moon, a supernatural graphic novel. Olivia has also created work for a number of sites and publications, including the New York Times, The Guardian, and FIYAH Magazine of Black Speculative Fiction. When not drawing, she enjoys eating spicy foods and losing her voice at rock concerns. Visit her website at www.olivia-stephens.com.
Praise for
Rick Riordan Presents: Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, The Graphic Novel
"This graphic adaptation of Kwame Mbalia's groundbreaking adventure fantasy hits all the major plot points. . . . Venditti's adaptation is an impressive feat of storytelling efficiency and artist Stephens visualizes . . . many memorable characters . . . The original's popularity will have readers queuing up for their turn with this version, and the graphic-novel space remains in desperate need of more Black representation. Stock up."—ALA Booklist
"This graphic adaptation of the children's novel that began the 'Tristan Strong' trilogy will have plenty of appeal for readers who are interested in African and African American characters and folklore. The illustrations pop with energy and color, and the off-kilter panels will pull readers into the surreal story. The creative reimagining of classic folktale characters will keep readers entertained, and may also inspire them to learn more about the originals. For fans of Rick Riordan-style mythology stories, this features plenty of action and diverse characters."—School Library Journal
