Tony Millionaire is one of my favorite cartoonists and this book is a great example why. Millionaire is the author of both Sock Monkey and Maakies (which can be found in many alternative newspapers).

Billy Hazelnuts is a stand-alone story for kids. Millionaire's art style is reminiscent of illustrations in 19th Century children's lit, but his story-telling and subject matter are straight out of some kind of not-so-unpleasant fever dream.

The titular character is made by rats out of bits of garbage and mince meat. Despite this, he is befriended by Becky, a young science wizard and the two have a fantastic adventure featuring a spurned love, a steam-driven crocodile, and the missing moon. Millionaire tells it all with a dark-edged joy at the possibilities of the medium he loves. ( )

Adorable in a totally bizarre way. ( )

A golem, created by mice from garbage, befriends a young scientist in a fantastical world in this beautifully drawn graphic novel.

The mice in Becky's kitchen, tired of being chased by the cat, create a being out of garbage with a head full of flies to act as their protector. Becky, a young scientist, discovers the creature, and replaces the flies with hazelnuts. Billy, as he comes to be known, becomes entranced by the moon, and runs off to find where it sets. In doing so, he attracts the wrath of Becky's would-be suitor, Eugene. The three travel and battle across their fantastic world, where planets collide, ships walk and mice build men out of garbage.

The main selling point of this title is Millionaire's detailed black and white artwork, which is both fantastic and strange. The world of Billy Hazelnuts is like something out of a fever dream, but fully realized and magnificently rendered. The out and out weirdness and dark undertones of this book would turn off many casual readers, but those who like their comics with a literary flare will probably sing the praises of this for years to come. ( )

The plot of this graphic novel somewhat ambiguous. Some mice that live in a small girl's house create this creature to kill the family cat, which fails. The girl then befriends the creature and they have a small adventure rescuing her friend. The artwork was decent, a couple interesting ideas her and there. this might be more enjoyable for children.