I buy anything that takes my fancy, and The Stonekeeper wasn’t going to be the exception thanks to flipping to the last page knew how to push the right buttons in my anime infested mind. A house filled with knickknack like robots, a huge house that transforms into a huge robot itself and quirky elements of mechanical magic designs throughout. Magic and machinery mixing into one is always a great mix and this comic novel creates a nice mix between the two thanks to the uniquely simple art style of Kazu Kibuishi—very anime inspired in certain places and great for it.

Though, the storyline isn’t an epic of Lord of the Rings, complex as Dune or showing a range of morally questionable characters found in The Dark Tower series—but that doesn’t leave this tale an empty experience throughout. Sure, it’s set in a world beyond our own and has robots, but it doesn’t focus on that. It’s about two kids trying to save the only family they have and that really gives it something to draw you in—though it does feel a bit simple of reason for character motivation throughout. I won’t reveal the actual plot (surprises are always best) but it does involve the main character’s father being killed in a road accident (car plummeting off a cliff seems pretty certain to kill) and shifts to a few months later when they move into a old house—it’s retro to have the house play a plot point but who cares. It progresses at a pace able to keep you interested with the odd development involving a Lord of the Rings style amulet (like the One Ring). 

The artwork is clean, bright and has a nice way of giving an impression of a vaster world lays beyond the boundaries of each panel along with a lot of fantastic set pieces that really shout’s fantastical machine magic! Everything has its own presences and it becomes clear Kazu is a master to create worlds stretching into childhood imagination—a minor cuteness factor seems present throughout with robots fashioned to be small, but since this is a kid’s book I won’t complain so much.

Overall, the experience of the comic was pleasant and makes for a good read.