Max Gamer Reviewed

Max Gamer tells the story of a boy who struggles with Asperger’s Syndrome.  People with this syndrome are affectionately referred to as “Aspies” because, as author Dr. Frank Gaskill explains, “They are awesome, exceptional, and cool.”  Early in the book, the reader learns about the difficulties Max encounters with being made fun of and put down due to being an Aspie.  We see Max struggle with rigid thinking, but through the persistence of someone he trusts, he becomes resilient and uses his unique strengths to overcome obstacles.  Max’s struggles do not appear to be as unique as he might think, and the reader will likely find him- or herself thinking, “I’ve been there before,” as they learn about Max’s day-to-day life.

The illustrators use very creative paneling, including rigid boxes conveying Max’s mechanical perception of the world and a touching spotlight panel indicating his loneliness due to never having play dates.  Narration is abundant throughout the book, which may remind readers of classic comics from the 1970s and earlier when text was relied on more for moving the story along instead of its imagery.  This serves as a strength to Max Gamer, as it is also published in a larger format than contemporary comic books and it is vibrant with color.  Detailed narration and large, colorful imagery combine to provide a much richer reading experience in its 27 advertisement-free pages than today’s comic books provide in 32 advertisement-rich pages.

The publisher rates Max Gamer as being appropriate for all readers.  The wording is simple enough for children to grasp, but some of the content may be too juvenile for an older teenager to find interest.  As such, children and adolescents between the ages of 7 and 14 may be most captivated by the story and its accompanying art.  Max Gamer as a title could improve simply by publishing more issues centered on Max’s struggles as an Aspie, as one issue alone cannot convey all of the complexities of being an Aspie living in a non-Aspie world.  However, Max Gamer #1 succeeds in introducing the reader to a very likeable character who has many of the same struggles as anyone else would and brings us along on a journey of his attempts to remain resilient, and does so with captivating style.  It is a highly recommended purchase for parents, teachers, and therapists who live and work with Aspies.

Patrick O’Connor, M.A.

Doctoral Student in Clinical Psychology

Creator of Comicspedia.net