Early in this graphic novel a middle school teacher advises Peter, an awkward, bullied twelve-year-old, that his idealistic commitment to truth-telling is sure to bring him trouble: "Things could escalate, get worse." Indeed things can, and do, both escalate and get worse for Peter and the kids around him (including his troubled, violent neighbour Gus, and the too-cool-for-school new girl, Charlie) over the course of this powerful and troubling portrait of youth on the edge.

Wenlock's cute and minimalist cartooning style (Those faces! Those FEET! ) lures the reader in, but over the course of nearly 300 dense pages he expertly lines up a series of situations that slowly crank up the tension level until the reader is left with the feeling that anything can happen, and that no one is safe. This a dark and disturbing tale that unflinchingly looks at the issues of bullying and violence (appropriately told in black, white, and shades of grey), but it is also a deeply-felt and emotional portrait of how strange, scary, and even sweet adolescence can be.

I was deeply impressed by "Tsunami," and I am convinced it going to mark the arrival of an important new talent in international comics. Amazingly, this is Ned's first full-length graphic novel, making it even more impressive, he has a fully-developed authorial voice and style already. Don't sleep on this one.

In the unflinching tradition of books like "The Lord of the Flies" by William Golding, "The End of the Fucking World" by Charles Forsman, "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell, the film "Thumbsucker" by Mike Mills, and the recent Netflix series "Adolescence."

Before reading, I skimmed reviews that were already out about Tsunami which had me on the edge of my seat for the last 20% of the book! But as someone who is super sensitive to violence, I can report that the ending did not make me as squimish as I anticipated.

I would not recommend starting this graphic novel if you have anything else going on, because you'll drop whatever it is to finish Tsunami instead.

I loved the illustrations, the tension of Gus, Charlie and Peter navigating adolescence, and the pacing of the story.

My heart breaks for Peter and Gus in different ways. This book deserves 5 stars.

I would rate it higher if it was marketed to an older crowd because I thought it was brilliant-- very dark, but brilliant. There were some serious topics and I liked that it showed how everything isn't black and white. All the relationships were complicated, and I felt real tension.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this interesting graphic novel

Whew...this was a bit darker story than I thought I was getting.....but I'm an adult reader, I can handle it! This was the 1st I'd read of this author/artist, & I might be inclined to try him again. The art work is kind of 'edgy, sharpish', might seem kind of simple & unique.....but does convey the aura of the story......which deals with bullying, violence, peer pressure, family issues in the home. The title is appropriate! I'd classify this graphic novel as YA/Adult, not for little kids.
I did receive a complimentary e-ARC from Literary Press Group/Pow Pow Press via NetGalley in exchange for reading it & posting my own fair/honest review.

This would be an odd little graphic novel on its own merits, but given its marketed to children it moves into fully creepy. The simplistic illustration style is an unsettling if effective choice for a story about peer violence, broken families, and ultimately murder among a small group of middle school students.

I did not expect that ending.

Tsunami is about a bullied 12-year-old boy who befriends the new girl. While I thought this was going to be a cute story about overcoming school hardships, it quickly spun out of control. I am left wondering what happened to both Peter and Gus at the end. The art style is endearing and charming, which is a contrast to the end of the story. Overall, I enjoyed this quick read.