This is a story about a boy (Derrick) and his dog (Max) and the trials and tribulations of Middle School. It covers a lot of ground and is told at a rapid pace, especially Max's death. The characters are well-meaning and I believe Derrick's character. Max is funny and I like the fact he' doesn't dwell on being dead and embraces all life has to offer as a ghost. The sub-plots of the impact of Derrick's shyness (which is worth knowing as a child) and the school dance are realised well, but how death is characterised and managed throughout is this books main achievement. I definitely would have enjoyed this a lot as a child and been eager to read the rest in the series.

This is an awesome graphic novel for kids that will convince even the most reluctant of readers to get stuck in! They won't even realise they're reading. The funny story has a dark edge but the themes are handled with humour so I think it would be fine for kids over 8 years old, it's not a spoiler to say that the dog dies as it happens early on, and he comes back as a ghost so is very much still a protagonist of the story and that is where the adventures begin!
At 30 years old I loved this so youngsters will be in for a treat!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me access an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

My youngest daughter and I were browsing though Netgalley to look for a book to review. The cover of the Dead Max Comix Book 1: The Deadening by Dana Sullivan immediately caught our eyes. In addition, we got excited to see advance praise given to it by one of our favorite authors, Dav Pilkey! My youngest got super excited about it. It's a story about a boy named Derrick and his dog Max. Derrick is a 7th grader comic artist. Max dies unexpectedly, but he returns as a ghost to follow Derrick and help guide him with his middle school social situations. We had fun reading it from the beginning to the end. It’s a silly fun story that is perfect for older kids. My daughter and I totally agree with Dav Pilkey’s advance praise, “ Dead Max is drop-dead funny!”, for this graphic novel. We highly recommend this book for kids 10 and up who are about to transition to middle school or already there. Adults can certainly enjoy this book too. Thank you Netgalley and Redchair Press for providing this fun and unique graphic novel to us for review in exchange for our honest opinion. We rate this graphic novel 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 / 5 ! We loved it so much that we ordered a real copy. We are now huge fans of Dead Max Comix! We look forward to its sequel Book 2: The Rocking Dead as well!!!!! Can’t wait!

A great little comic for younger teens/children. The illustrations and text are much more in the traditional comic book style than some other graphic novels.

A plot that deals with a boy's loss of his beloved dog, and the adventures of him and the ghost dog afterwards, seems a bit bizarre but it is actually very well done. Deals with topics relevant to the target age group - bereavement, friendship, popularity and the gauntlet that is school.

Not that interesting for adults like some graphic novels can be. However, a great addition to any middle grade comic/graphic novel collection in any library.

Young readers are rejoicing at the news that hilarious author Dana Sullivan is starting a new graphic series! The Deadening is the hysterical first book in the Dead Max series. Derrick Hollis is taking a graphic novel class during third period. His mom and sister fight constantly. His dad is absent. His dog Max is his best friend, and a pretty kooky character. On a regular walk, Max finds and chases a cat (who totally provoked him!) and gets flattened by a car. Not to worry, Max rises from the dead to help Derrick out with his graphic novel project, getting along with his family, and dealing with the occasional cat. This latest snicker-inducing book from Dana is definitely worth picking up and giggling with friends over! Do you smell pizza?

A junior comic – no, seriously, don't come here thinking it's for all ages, as it isn't – where a young lad sees his pet dog run over, only for it to come back as a ghost. And once it's been cremated it can communicate with the kid, giving him all the street smarts it can possibly impart when it comes to bullies, and a girl he might like to sniff the butt of to see if she likes him or not. Kids will find it quite ribald, but I think part of that comes from it not seeming to have a clear focus on which age group it's for. Adults will find it a little silly, and the artwork not up to much.

It's not my thing but it has great cover appeal for children! The art work is fun and the storyline is simple but effective. I would give it to low level Yr 7s it ks2 students and I'm pretty sure they would enjoy it!

A graphic novel story about a boy and his dog. A dead dog, that is. Derrick is a wimpy kid type who gets coached and schooled by the spirit of his dead dog Max. Max as a literary foil to Derrick makes for hilarious antics as life plays out in school and home settings. The target audience will relate to Derrick.
Inset throughout are comics on lined yellow paper that Derrick has doodled. His comic art is Derrick's best way to express himself even when he is trying to escape from the pains of his parents' domestic issues. These bits present the messy life challenges that set this book apart from the typical.

Give to readers that enjoy Jerry Craft's _New Kid_ and Jarrett Krozoczka's _Hey, Kiddo_.

At first this Graphic Novel looks like just a bit of fun, telling the story of a schoolboy artist and his dead dog who is still around in the form of a ghost. But in addition to the fun style and the gags, it has a lot of heart and there are plenty of helpful observations on teenage life, and even q moral or two.
Never preachy, always fun and very positive, I really enjoyed this book. A big thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read it.

This is a weird graphic novel about a dog that is dead by page 7. Yet, the whole rest of the book is about his ghost and the stuff he and Derrick, his owner, get into. Both in "real life" as well as in the comic book stories that Derrick writes.

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A weird, silly story, about young love and well, death, and ghosts. Oh, and getting your comic strips into the school newspaper, which Max, the ghost, helps with as well.


Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

This kept my 8 year old occupied on holiday when he had read his book quicker than expected. He seemed to love it and kept asking to use my kindle to read some more. I asked him to give starts out of 5 and he gave it 4/5. I will definitely be looking for more children’s books, thanks for a great read

Sharp, humorous, and creative. I enjoyed this graphic novel and would recommend it for a wide range of readers.