MY REVIEW
Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King follows Zackary, an ordinary kid whose life takes a strange turn when a mysterious pendant activates and seems to pull him into another world. There, Zackary becomes Zicky, a cheeky, sword-wielding hero caught in a realm of monsters, doppelgängers, and an army of rats.
Whether this strange world is truly real or part of Zackary’s imagination is never completely spelled out, which gives the story an extra layer of mystery. What is clear is that Zicky has landed in the middle of a dangerous plan led by the villainous “Rat King” and his army of rodents—who are preparing an invasion.
What I particularly loved was how the story keeps letting fantasy creep into Zackary’s ordinary life. Rats begin appearing where they shouldn’t, and it becomes harder to dismiss Zicky’s adventures as something happening only in his imagination. The story moves quickly through rat soldiers, traps, strange creatures, robots and other bizarre contraptions, with plenty of fantasy action. Under all the chaos, there is also a warm story about family, growing up, and imagination.
Funny, colorful, weird, and wonderfully unpredictable, this is a lively adventure for young graphic-novel fans.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King
Created by Darin S. Cape
Illustrated by Zeno Decrux and Hiorsh Gabotto
Ages: 9+ | 160 Pages
Publisher: SHP Comics (2026) | ISBN-13: 979-8992749939
Publisher’s Book Summary: Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King is a fast, funny, manga-inspired graphic novel that blends fantasy adventure with heart, humor, and family appeal. When a cheeky underdog hero is pulled into a world of monsters, doppelgängers, and an army of rats, Zicky must rely on wit, courage, and unlikely friendships to survive. Bursting with kinetic action, playful mischief, and relatable growing pains, Zicky is a perfect gateway to manga for younger readers and a joyful, high-energy adventure for kids, teens, and families alike.
Praise: “Smart, energetic graphic novel blending fantasy and touching real-life emotion. Cape smashes expectations and keeps the pages pleasurably turning, all while grounding the chaotic story in the growing pains of children and the anxieties of the adults raising them.” —Booklife
PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | SHP Comics
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shawn Hainsworth is the creator and writer, as Darin S. Cape, of Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King. The story began as bedtime adventures he invented for his own children, with Shawn playing the role of Zicky, a super-secret ninja who went on adventures while everyone else was asleep. Those family stories eventually grew into the world of Zicky, a graphic novel celebrating imagination, courage, family, and the hero inside every kid. Shawn lives in Western Massachusetts with his wife, two teens, and two hound dogs. He is the publisher of SHP Comics and is currently working on the sequel, Zicky: The Cursed Blade.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATORS
Zeno Decrux is an accomplished illustrator and comic artist with over nine years of experience in the international independent comics scene. His work spans a diverse range of comics and manga titles, where he brings a dynamic, expressive style and a strong commitment to quality on every project. Passionate about storytelling through visuals, Zeno continues to push his craft forward with each new collaboration.
Jorge Luis Gabotto, also known as Hiorsh, is an Argentine cartoonist and writer from Mar del Plata. A visual arts teacher, puppeteer, and musician, he brings a multidisciplinary approach to storytelling. For him, comics are a fusion of art and literature—a cinematic form that combines movement, atmosphere, and emotion. His work explores themes of love, time, and perception, offering readers a personal and poetic vision of the world.
Website | https://www.instagram.com/
GIVEAWAY
Readers who follow along on this virtual book tour will have the chance to win one of 10 signed paperback copies of Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King. One lucky grand prize winner will also receive a Zicky poster and pins.
*Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Shawn Hainsworth. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.
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