Surfside Girls, Graphic Novel No. 1 - The Secret of Danger Point

Let's face it - I'm a sucker for a new mystery series - and when that mystery series happens to also be in a graphic novel (comic) format, it only whets my appetite all the more! I had noticed the first Surfside Girls graphic novel numerous times at the bookstore, and I had even picked it up and flipped through it.  It appeared interesting enough, but it was not numbered, and there was nothing in this book to indicate it was a part of any series, so inevitably, I would put it back on the shelf each time. Until a second graphic novel hit the shelf, and I then knew that this was a series! So, obviously, I bought both books and brought them home, and I recently sat down and read the first book....

The Secret of Danger Point gives readers the plot for this story quite plainly. There is something going on at Danger Point, and Samantha and her friend, Jade, are determined to find out what it is. When Sam spies something shining under the water just below Danger Point, she swims under to check it out - only to find a hidden cave under the water! When she climbs up through a hole in the ceiling, she finds herself right at the heart of Danger Point - only, she's not alone! The young girl is surrounded by ghosts from the past, all of whom appear to have been waiting for her.

This, of course, sets off the mystery - are the ghosts real? Why is Sam the only one who can see them? Why do they need her, and what do they need her to do? Sam brings her friend back to Danger Point, but Jade can see only Sam - so is Sam going crazy, or are the ghosts really there?  Time to do some digging!  After some lengthy research on the internet, Jade discovers some of the history surrounding the ghosts that Sam claims to have met. And that's when the real investigating begins!  A strange bird found on the shores below Danger Point. A construction company preparing to clear all of the land at Danger Point.  Two strangers that Jade identifies only as "Bird Man" and "Yacht Lady." And a cryptic message from the ghosts that Sam has a duty that has fallen on her shoulders, and she alone knows what must be done.

Writer and artist Kim Dwinell tells a fun story of mystery and adventure, filled with surf and sand, spirits and strangers, and a dastardly villain who only Sam and Jade can stop from destroying Danger Point!  Despite the supernatural aspect of the ghosts, the characters are very down-to-earth (Sam even gets punished for sneaking out at night to go visit her ghosts), and there is a tense moment when Sam nearly drowns while trying to figure out what treasure may lie beneath the ocean waters!  It is exciting to follow along with Sam and Jade as they ferret out clues and try to figure out what they all mean, and the reader, right along with Sam and Jade, find themselves surprised when everyone in the story is not necessarily who they appear to be!

Now, I will admit - the art is not the most realistic, as the characters are drawn very simplistically, and often times, the backgrounds in the panels are pretty non-existent. However, the story is so engaging that these drawbacks in the art do not at all take away from the story - in fact, in some ways, they allow the reader to focus MORE on the story itself and not get caught up with the "oooooo, pretty art" that seems to be the focal point of most mainstream comics today.  And this is fine by me, as I am much more interested in a good story than pretty art.

I would definitely say that Dwinell has a success with the Surfside Girls, and this first mystery definitely sets the tone for the characters, the stories, and the series as a whole, and I can pretty much guarantee anyone who picks this up is going to love it!

RATING:  10 St. Christopher charms out of 10 for providing a superb start to a brand new series, combining mystery and comics - two of my favorite things!