Ariane et Nicolas #2

The second volume of Paul Roux's all-ages adventure series drops Ariane and Nicolas right into swashbuckling peril — the cover shows the two wide-eyed kids cornered on a ship's deck by a snarling, sword-wielding pirate captain, with menacing buccaneer figures closing in from both sides, blades drawn. It's a wonderfully lively scene that captures everything fun about kid-friendly adventure comics: big expressions, real danger, and the feeling that these two are going to need all their wits to get out of this one. Published by Les 400 Coups in 2011, *Le rêve du capitaine* looks like a thoroughly entertaining ride for young readers and anyone who enjoys spirited Franco-Belgian comics storytelling.