I've never liked the saying "don't judge a book by its cover", mostly because these days book covers can tell you a lot about what's inside. Of course, it can be dangerous with graphic novels because you're never sure whether the cover artist actually has anything to do with the interior art but in this case, something about the cover called out to me and told me to get this book.

The exaggerated stylistic design of the boy with his long neck and giant unweildy head are perfectly contrasted with that intense expression. He's angry and determined, his tiny hands clenched into fists in those ridiculously oversized gloves. And behind him, the disturbing face of... something big, dark and scary. But the boy isn't afraid, he's standing alongside the creature. Without knowing anything about the book, the title could just as easily refer to the monster as the boy.

So, yeah. I felt like I had little choice but to pick it up after all of that went through my head.

Set in a 1930's New York City, very much like our own with the small exception that dragons exist. Why they exist isn't really touched upon, they're just there as part of the backdrop to the Great Depression. And honestly the 'why' isn't important. The story follows young Enrico's struggle to survive in this world, almost entirely alone with the exception of his mother.

I won't go into spoiler territory, but I have to say I found Enrico very likable, he has that attitude of weariness beyond his years combined with a childish innocence, particularly when it comes to the dragons. The story does just enough to draw you in before it abruptly finishes. As far as first volumes go, it's fantastic and I'll be getting volume two as soon as possible.

As I mentioned, the artwork was responsible for drawing me in to begin with, so I was concerned that the interior art may be a let down. Fortunately my fears were not realised as the interior art is just as oddly beautiful inside.

Anyone interested in a well written, wonderfully drawn coming-of-age story (with dragons) should definitely pick this up.

Joe Kelly is the writer I always think of when someone asks who deserves more credit. His work is consistently great. Here, he and Max Fiumara, make an incredible world of depression era New York with a twist. That twist...dragons. Sounds insane but it works. Enrico is such a great character that you root for. Fiumara's art is perfect for the series. I can't wait to read the next volume.

'Four Eyes, Volume 1: Forged in Flames' by Joe Kelly with art by Max Fiumara is a story told in an alternate depression era New York where dragons exist. With that as a concept, I think you just have to go with the idea, or it starts to unravel.

Enrico is a young boy who adores his father. Imagine his horror when his father is brutally killed by a dragon. This sets Enrico on the path to the goal of destroying all dragons. What he finds along the way is a shadowy underworld of dragon fighting, and the dangerous job of capturing new dragons to fuel the sport. With a mom doing all she can to keep the family afloat, Enrico decides that he needs to step up and be the man of the house. This puts him in the grasp of a shadowy mob boss type, and walking in to meet the same dragons that did his father in.

It's a volume 1 that feels a bit like a prelude, but seems to be the start of an interesting story. I liked the art by Max Fiumara, especially the set of the jaw that he gives young Enrico. I also like background art like the job lines and bread lines. The dragons are okay, but they are mostly just claws and fangs. I'd like to see where this goes, because I like how this story has begun.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, Image Comics, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

I love the art style here. We start off in an alternative universe 1920's New York where the young scion of an Italian family watches his father die after hunting a dragon's eggs. The boy and his mother must now fend for themselves and the kid has anger issues.

I'm intrigued to see where this goes next.

This is FASCINATING. DRAGONS! Binge read it on a plane and now I'm aching to get my hands on volume 2.

The premise of Four Eyes is interesting, and provides meat for an emotional story which is well-depicted by Fiumara's art. Enrico is a boy living in Depression-Era New York City, and he and his mother are struggling to make ends meet since his father passed away. Enrico discovers that his father worked for the illegal, lucrative dragon-fighting trade (basically a dragon version of cock-fighting), and seeks a job capturing dragons in the hopes of earning money to survive, as well as getting revenge on the beasts that killed his father. The story is serious, with the volume successfully conveying how Enrico must grow up too soon due to his father's death and his family's financial straights. Joe Kelly and Max Fiumara also take the time and effort to convey Enrico's mother's regret at the fact that her son is growing up too fast, and with no father for guidance.

I couldn't resist the artwork of this one, which is why I picked it up. The pencils and ink are stunning, although the detail makes it a little difficult for the eye to parse. I love that this is in black in white with only an occasional color accent.

Interesting graphic novel, set in the 1930's, Great Depression-era, with the premise that dragons are real and being captured for use in secret illegal fights, like underground cockfighting with gambling. The main character is a young boy who sees his immigrant Italian father flamed to death by a dragon while stealing her egg. Now he wants to become a dragonkiller to get revenge. The dragons are caught by, and the fights controlled by, the gangster guy, who clearly doesn't want a young kid underfoot. But the kid is very stubborn and pretty much fearless, even in the stinky dark cavern of the dragon's lair. A unique take on dragons. Sadly, no sequel was ever made that I could find.

Great way to rethink the age of dragons, and what they would be cast into in a different context. Not something I'll dive back into soon but if I see it in a store/library, I'll definitely check it out.

Depression-era mobsters PLUS dragon-fighting? I'm sold. This was great.

Nice concept, but the structure of the issue is way off. Also need some color on the art. Too difficult to tell what's going on half the time.