Muddy Max: The Mystery of Marsh Creek: 06/30/15

Muddy Max: The Mystery of Marsh Creek by Elizabeth Rusch is a graphic novel about a boy who just wants a chance to get dirty. His parents, though, have a very firm no mud rule. Unfortunately for all of them, they live in a town with frequent rain and near persistent mud.

Tired of being teased by his friends for having to stay completely mud free, Max takes the offer of a bike ride from a friend. He ends up completely covered in mud. It's like the mud just jumps right onto him. But nothing bad seems to happen, save for a small rash.

Convinced now that there's something up with his parents' fear of mud, Max begins two investigations: one into his parents' past, and the other into the mud of the nearby marsh. In the process he discovers some long buried secrets of his family, some abilities he didn't know he had, and a way to bring his family closer together.

Muddy Max is a healthy blend of genres: mystery, superhero, and, horror. It's currently a standalone story, but there's enough wiggle room at the end to spawn a series. I would certainly read more of Muddy Max's adventures if I were given the chance.

Five stars

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