A really fun and engaging graphic novel!
Thank you to the publisher for letting me read and review!

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Scott

Once again, Ben Hatke tackles yet another tale of Fairy Tale’s Jack – the elusive hero who appears time and time again, saving the princess (or in this retelling, his sister) as well as the proverbial day. A much better showing from The Mighty Jack This retelling incorporates lip service to the fairy tale and much, much more on modern sensibilities. Listen, if having a ’67 Mustang Shelby leading a charge of goblins to overthrow the evil giant’s vile plans of isolating a dimensional nexus sounds cool, then it probably is worth your half an hour’s reading time.

As far as story and character are concerned, Hatke ramps it up one notch further, introducing a more grounded reality to his fairy tale take. Ribs break, characters are not invincible, and magic has a habit of running out just when it’s needed most. Ben and Lily’s relationship evolves as they attempt to rescue Maddie, Jack’s sister; Phelix (the dragon from The Mighty Jack) makes an appearance; and in an epic battle over the Goblin King, Lily (The girl next door and Jack’s best friend) becomes king of the goblin tribe and after a goblin blood transfusion, becomes, shall we say, a little more. Overall, it is a character driven story, and the characters are three dimensional and very likeable.

The artwork is Hatke at his best. The linework and inking are well executed, and the characters, while maintaining a whimsical cartoonish look, are well proportioned and detailed enough for immersion on this level. The panels are varied and subject or character oriented. The perspective also is character driven (although a few are strictly expositional) and varied in a way that lead the reader’s eye through the page, gracefully and thoughtfully. The lettering is readable, although sometimes it seems like the word balloons take up a little too much of the panel – subsequently the letters very in size more often than not, which causes a reading of the book as opposed to reading the book, words and picture equally.

Overall, fans of fairy tales, modern reinterpretations of such tales, and fans of Hatke’s earlier work, will find themselves a solid and consistent piece of work. The second book in the Jack series, if the epilogue is on the money there will be more to come of this series. This is another solid notch for Hatke, and his followers should look favorably on this as a series, and I for one am in for the long haul, as should you.

Will be popular with young boys in particular, as well as our graphic novel readers. Marked to purchase for our collection.

Mighty Jack and the Goblin King is the second volume in the Mighty Jack series. It picks up right where the first book left off with Jack's sister Maddy being kidnapped. He and Lilly follow up the plant up into the sky which leads to a floating island. Jack and Lilly get separated and must fight separately in order for them all to leave home together.

Calling this story "Mighty Jack and the Goblin King" is a bit of a misnomer. The story focuses more on Lilly. Jack is so focused on saving Maddy that he leaves Lilly to fend for herself. She does manage to, and she's the one who actually faces the Goblin King, but if Jack hadn't gone off half-cocked, she wouldn't have had to. Lilly did great in her scenes, but I really didn't like Jack. He just kept throwing himself into the action with little thought of the consequences to himself or Lilly. Phelix returns as well, also keeping Jack out of the fire.

Mighty Jack and the Goblin King is a good title in and of itself as well as being a satisfying sequel. The story gets a little darker with what Lilly goes through, and has a great epilogue, but it just wasn't as fun as the first volume. It's missing that spark that made the first volume a must read. That isn't to say this volume isn't. Lilly's development is great. It just would have been nice to see Jack not be so one dimensional.

Ben Hatke's illustrations and storytelling are great and I can't wait to share this book with my students.

A great addition to the Hatke story family. Hope to see more stories from these characters as they grow and develop. The story of the new "Goblin King" is sure to interest young female readers as well.

Good follow-up to the cliffhanger ending of the first book.

Another great book by Ben Hatke. His illustrations are whimsical and interesting, but also simple. I love his world building and how vibrant little characters can be. Highly recommended for children.

I loved the first "Mighty Jack" book and this second in the series doesn't disappoint. This story of a boy, his autistic sister and homeschooled neighbour starts off where the last book ended at a high point that has the characters off and running from the beginning. Non-stop action from beginning to end with fantastic creatures such as goblins, giants and rat creatures. Hatke's illustration is always wonderful and brings this fantasy world to life. The book ends on a note that makes us think there will obviously be another sequel. I sure hope so! This is a fun series!

Jack and Lilly are chasing after the ogre that had kidnapped Maddy. But they learn that the enhanced power the plants gave them wears off quickly in this strange world of vines and nexuses. Lilly falls and is rescued by goblins while Jack has to try to rescue Maddy alone. Plenty of action, fight scenes, daring rescues, exploding stoves and a car chase end with the giants defeated, the Nexus freed and Jack, Maddy and Lilly home safe. But then comes the strange invitation! What adventure will the next volume hold?

I had not read the first Mighty Jack graphic novel, but that did not hamper my enjoyment of this, the second volume. Both will become a part of my classroom library.

Reluctant readers will love Mighty Jack and the Goblin King. It’s 80% action, 20% dialogue and story. However, it does pick up right where Mighty Jack left off (from what I can tell - because I forgot EVERYTHING that happened in Mighty Jack.) I loved the girl power in this book and the ending was fun. I can’t wait to see what will happen next! (And I’ll reread books one and two before I read three!)

Hatke never disappoints. This is a great follow-up to what began as an exiting series. Now, Mighty Jack has a slightly more mature look and feel than Zita the Spacegirl and as such it may not resonate with the same readers. Zita was more of an elementary series. Jack skews more towards middle grade. I was a little unsure of this series at first, in part because I so dearly loved Zita, but it has grown on me over time especially as I began to notice the thematic parallels. In this series, Hatke uses familiar stories as a broad framework but truly makes the plot his own. If you have even a slight interest in fantasy and fairy tales, give this series a look.

Ben Hatke has become my go to for elementary graphic novel adventures, and this book further cements that opinion. Might Jack and the Goblin King is a well written, beautifully illustrated read that will engage readers from beginning to end.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for reviewing it. Let me say before I go any farther, that you are going to want to preorder your copy for September 5, 2017. If you haven't read the first in the series, Mighty Jack, you better order it too. You don't have to take my word for it, eight year old Payton, who read my digital copy while we were camping, was mesmerized by the story and is now hooked on graphic novels.

In this sequel to Ben Hatke's Mighty Jack, the illustrations once again explode with rich colours and magnificent depictions of other worlds. Readers are guaranteed to spend hours immersed in the splendour of these details.

Spoiler alert here! If you haven't read the first book, you might want to skip this next bit.

The story begins where Mighty Jack ends, with Jack and Lily chasing after the ogre who has taken Jack's sister, Maddy. Jack's emotional state impairs his ability to think clearly. He's impervious to Lily's attempts to talk sense to him. Soon Jack leaps into a fight with a larger and more powerful foe and Lily saves him, but at great cost to herself. Still nothing can impress caution in Jack, and undaunted, he continues on. Lily follows him.

As the two of them cross a rotting vine bridge, they are attacked and separated. From this point on, in a series of one action packed scene after another, the story alternates between their separate adventures.

Before Jack can reach them, the ogre takes Maddy into what seems to be an impenetrable fortress. Responding to a cry for help, Jack helps an old goblin, Jerry, make his way back into the pipes on the outside of the building. This good deed is rewarded when Jerry and his friend Tig show Jack how to climb up the pipes to get into the fortress.

Meanwhile, Lily is in serious trouble. If rats didn't terrify you before, they probably will now.

Luckily she is rescued from her battle with the rats by a group of goblins who treat her with goblin medicine. I adore the energy, charm, and language of these goblins. They remind me of Skarper in Philip Reeve's Goblin series. From the goblins Lily learns that they are at a Nexus Point, "a place of connection between several worlds." This place and other worlds have been taken over by giants and rats.

Just as Jack is about to leap in to rescue Maddy, and probably kill himself in the process, Phelix, Maddy's dragon friend saves him from his foolhardy attempt. They come up with a plan. Phelix will wait on the top of the fortress for them and fly them to safety once Jack has freed Maddy. Once inside, Jack discovers that Maddy is to be fed to 'the beast.' It's here that we make a connection to the original Jack In The Beanstalk tale, when the ogre states that the beast will, "boil her blood and grind her bones."

It looks like Lily has landed in clover until it is revealed that she is expected to be the bride of the Goblin King. Rather than marry the him, Lily challenges him to single combat.

There is much in this book that enthralled me. Humour makes it's appearance in many of these scenes with the goblins, such as where where, 'the Majestic Goblin Hideaway' is a sewer, and when the Goblin King asks his followers, "Is make me look fat?"

This is a satisfying read with even a bit of romance. I finally got some of my questions answered about the man who sold those beans to Jack in the first place. It doesn't seem to be a big deal in the book, but I was excited that Maddy started to talk and eventually spoke Lily's name. The title is a delightful surprise. I love that Lily is set out on her own trajectory that will include the other children, but she sure isn't following Jack anymore.

I was not expecting this ending, and am now waiting for the next book in the series. It's full of promise of more adventures to come. The worst thing about finishing this book is that the next one isn't ready yet.

I hate to wait.

Mighty Jack and the Goblin King is the second book in the Mighty Jack series by Ben Hatke. This middle grade graphic novel is currently scheduled for release on September 5 2017. I would highly recommend reading this series in order, as you will have no idea how Maddy was stolen, how the garden grew, or what crazy adventures brought together Jack and Lilly.

Jack's little sister Maddy is gone, carried into another realm by an ogre. When Jack and Lilly follow Maddy’s captor through the portal, they are ready for anything, except what they find waiting for them in the floating crossroads between worlds. Even the power of their magic plants may not be enough to get them back to earth alive. Alone and injured, Jack and Lilly must each face their own monsters—as well as giants who grind the bones of human children to feed their “beast” and a fearsome goblin king in the sewers down below. But when Jack finds himself in a tough spot, help comes from the most unlikely person: the goblin king!

Mighty Jack and the Goblin King is a continuation of the first graphic novel, and carries over even an unexpected character. Maddy has been stolen by and ogre and Jack is willing to do anything to save her, anything. Together Jack and Lilly face huge obstacles, apart the face even bigger challenges. Crazy characters and situations keep the characters and readers guessing, and the story moving at a quick pace. I enjoyed the art style, as usual with Hatke, and the fun twists and turns the story took. The use of different creatures with characteristics that do not always fit expectations made the story engaging. I liked that Lilly continued to be more than expected, as did young Maddy. There is plenty of room for more adventures in this series, but was glad to see a satisfying conclusion to this two part adventure. I look forward to what ever Hatke offers readers next.

Mighty Jack and the Goblin King is another winner from Ben Hatke. He has been a favorite of mine for children's graphic novels for awhile now, and I was glad to see this one reinforce that feeling- especially since remember being a little disappointed with the ending of the first installment of Mighty Jack. Fans of adventure and graphic novels will want to explore this series, just read the volumes one right after another and you will find yourself quite satisfied.

Mighty Jack was one of the best graphic novels I read last year. I wasn’t surprised in the least that Ben Hatke already had a follow up to the series this year because he’s a machine and produces so many great stories and comics each year. It is impressive considering he writes and illustrates it all himself and the story and art never take a dip.

Now, you should pay close attention to the “Goblin King” part of the title because there is a reason that it’s larger than Might Jack. More on that later though. This volume continues the story that started in Mighty Jack which was a brilliant re-imagining of Jack and the Beanstock. Maddy, Jack’s sister, has been kidnapped for the giant that has taken over the strange realm they find themselves in. Jack is hellbent on saving his sister so much so that he doesn’t realize how hard he’s pushing Lilly. Soon they find themselves injured and separated. On top of that Jack needs to save Maddy before she’s feed to a machine that must eat human once it’s started.

Without saying too much, the bulk of the story follows Lilly. Once she’s separated from Jack, she finds herself in the precarious position of being claimed by the Goblin King as his bride… that he’ll eat. Some marry for love and life; others marry for food. The other goblins are nice and friendly creatures. They’re a little like Fraggles, but with knives. The goblins don’t particularly like the King, and so they continue to help Lilly as she must figure out how to avoid marriage and being eaten.

I’ll say this, the tone and style of this volume is very different from Mighty Jack. There were deeper emotions in the first volume as Jack was facing the facts about his home life and trying to help his sister that functions and sees things differently from other people. It was a touching story that had a dash of adventure to go along with it. This time the story is more about our trio overcoming adversity and working as a team. The theme is different, but the heart is still there. Lilly is the focus for sure, but that doesn’t mean Jack is stagnant. Sadly, due to how the events unfold Maddy is pretty much forgotten in this volume but does have one tremendous sequence near the end.

Hatke’s writing is very sharp, and while personally, I could have done with some deeper emotional moments in this volume, I completely understand that it just didn’t fit or work with the other story elements. There is one crazy thing at the end that I wish I could talk about, but let’s just say that we’ll see more of this world. Hatke is a careful planner with his stories which is why they end up executed so masterfully. He should teach a class to other comic writers because I read a lot of comics and so many of the stories are short sighted and going for cheap pops rather than have real substance. Hatke can write serious moments, fun and exciting adventures and still keep a perfect pace while telling the story.

What is also extremely impressive every time I read a story from Hatke, is the fact that he’s able to change his style to look completely different and yet similar to his other work. It’s clearly his work, but there’s just subtle differences in the amount of detail that he uses, to the designs. Mighty Jack is by far his most detailed line work, and while that’s not a slam against his previous work, it’s just that he’s opted to add more to the page. It works and sets this story apart and at the same time shows the improvement in his style. An artist that isn’t growing and changing becomes bored.

Mighty Jack and the Goblin King is very likely to end up on my best of list this year as well. Time will tell, and I rarely like to give that much away so early, but this is an entertaining story that continues the success and groundwork of the first volume by adding to it. We’ll see what Hatke adds to it next and if that’s successful or not. Given his track record, I won’t be betting against him.

I was very confused reading this...until I realized it was either the second or third book in a series. No wonder I had no idea what was going on or who anyone was. Maybe I should read these in the proper order.

A mighty fine follow-up to book one in the series, bringing the narrative arc to an enjoyable close! Book two also has one of the most epic and surprising epilogues I have ever read! Mighty Jack #3 is sure to be highly anticipated after this strong second book!

Gorgeous, exciting art, rollicking story - what more could we want?