Graphic Novel Review: Haru: Book 1: Spring by Joe Latham

Posted on February 13, 2025 at 6:45 am by Gene Ambaum

Haru: Book 1: Spring by Joe Latham. Andrews McMeel, 2024. 9781524889616. 270pp.

Haru is a little blue bird with a little brother, Goose. Haru wants to leave the valley where they live, to see what’s up on the mountain in the distance and beyond, but that’s a dream since he can’t even fly.

Other birds make fun of Haru for being blue, but his friend Yama is just the pick-me-up Haru needs. The darkness that once spread across the world is watching them; because it believes Haru is the one mentioned in a prophecy it sends a minion out to grab Haru. Soon Yama is infected with the darkness. It gives him cool powers, but it’s scary because it could hurt someone and Yama can’t get rid of it.

Haru and Yama head to the Old Oak Tree to seek advice on what to do. It’s a quest! Or the beginning of one, at least, to be continued in sequels. (Book 2 is out now.) There are freaky moments involving bog bodies and, later, a weird shopping mall, but there’s help in the form of Herb, a friendly mushroom who cares for dandelion cubs and loves nature.

This book feels like the beginning of something special and reminded me of when I read the first books of Amulet, Bone, and Lightfall.