Kibuishi, K. (2006). Daisy Kutter: The Last Train. TX: Viper Comics.

 ISBN: 0975419323

When what looks like a legitimate job goes wrong, gunslinger and train robber Daisy Kutter finds herself in a fight for her life.

Rating:          5Q/5P

Format:         Graphic Novel

Curriculum Connection:  Visual Arts     Grades 6-12

Art Style:   The artwork in Daisy Kutter is pivotal to the story telling.  There are many pages that do not contain dialogue but continue to progress the plot and/or character development.  Like old western movies, the dramatic visuals tell as much if not more then the dialogue, and Kibuishi’s artwork has a very cinematic feel to it.  Kibuishi uses his art to speed up or slow down the time in the story.  When Daisy is waiting in her shop at the beginning of the story, time feels like it stands still as the reader’s eyes switch from panel to panel, from close up on the clock, to close up on Daisy, and onwards.  These two deceptively simple pages gives the reader a look into Daisy as a character and her life.  Later, Kibuishi uses his artwork to speed up time as Daisy fights against various robotic creations to save her life.  The same amount of space is used, but this time, the page is full of action, and reader’s eyes quickly follow Daisy as she speeds through the train.  Without words, reader’s can fully understand Daisy’s character simply by her actions and facial expressions.   

Submitted by Amanda Melilli on 4/18/08