Calamity Jack

This rip-roaring graphic novel is relentlessly energetic from beginning to end.

The book relocates the classic tale of Jack and the Beanstalk to a Wild West populated by Native Americans, giants, ogres and a devilish creature called the Jabberwock, and turns it into a breathless crime caper full of action and suspense in the process.

Jack sees himself as a bit of a schemer and criminal mastermind, when in reality he's nothing more than a scammer and trickster with varying degrees of success.

One day, Blunderboar, a local rich gangster, wrongs Jack and his mother and he sets out on a caper, one last job, so she never has to work again and to show Blunderboar up.

With help with a cast of eccentric friends including Rapunzel and her deadly long plait and a fairy called Prudence, Jack sets out to out-swindle and outwit the giants and give his city back to its people, sort his mother's problems out and show her once and for all he's a good son.

This graphic novel is full of fun action set pieces, comedic turns and well-drawn out characters and is a much-needed updating of the classic fairy tale.