In this smart, snarky ode to the joy of creation, sarcastic, struggling temp Penny finds her niche: working on the production of an ultra-low-budget horror film called Blood Wedding. Led by the vision of their film-geek director, the cast and crew all seem faintly bewildered by their circumstances: "One day I'm serving hash browns, the next day I'm in his backyard getting stabbed in the ass with a knife," says the lead actress, who's excited to play the killer instead of the victim for once. Penny rewrites the script, nearly gets the shoot on schedule, and tries to elevate the project from a shoestring hobby to a polished, or at least competent, film. Wiegle's fantastic, funny black-and-white art is the perfect match for the offbeat story; the characters are ingeniously figured with asymmetrical shapes and rubbery poses, and writing team Mean and Reed (The Cute Girl Network) depict the film's visual excesses with wicked glee. ("Remember, everybody," Penny tells the cast, "shock, then disgust.") Under the wonky humor, this comedy revels in the pleasures of finding fellow enthusiasts and facing the difficulty of making even the most modest artistic dreams come true. (June)

Gr 10 Up-Reed and Means partner with artist Wiegle for a graphic novel that combines feminism with DIY moviemaking and existential angst. Sarcastic 26-year-old Penny is mostly content with her low-key lifestyle of temping, avoiding her irritating roommate, and reading YA novels. On a whim, she agrees to help two strangers with their super-low-budget slasher movie. Penny discovers a natural talent for behind-the-scenes organizing and meets a group of like-minded new friends and begins taking on a coterie of jobs for the film. Under her influence, what was originally the gory tale of a bride with bloodlust starts to incorporate thoughtful feminist themes. This graphic novel is simultaneously fun, funny, gross, and sweet, with a lovely pairing of words and images. Wiegle's expressive black-and-white illustrations are by turns edgy and tender. Readers with an interest in DIY filmmaking will be inspired by the narrative and the epilogue's tips on pursuing film as a career path or hobby. Some swear words, an implied sex act, and lots of graphic horror movie-style gore may be a bit much for younger teens. VERDICT For older teens with an interest in filmmaking, especially horror movies, as well as for fans of Bryan Lee O'Malley's "Scott Pilgrim" series and the creators' previous work.-Ann Foster, Saskatoon Public Library, Sask.