In a genre often dominated by heroes in shining armor or wizards casting spells, Rickety Stitch and the Gelatinous Goo offers a fresh twist on fantasy. Created by Ben Costa and James Parks, with art by Ben, and originally published by Knopf Books for Young Readers & Random House Graphic, this young adult graphic novel series has captured imaginations with its quirky, humorous heart. The series follows a singing skeleton bard named Rickety Stitch and his gooey sidekick as they journey through the Land of Eem, braving danger, cracking jokes, and unraveling mysteries about Rickety’s past. With praise from notable authors and national acclaim, Rickety Stitch is where it all began for the Land of Eem.
What is Rickety Stitch and the Gelatinous Goo All About?
Imagine a skeleton who sings and dreams of a life he can barely remember—that’s Rickety Stitch. The only undead soul who seems to have held onto his humanity, Rickety sets out on a quest to uncover his origins, guided by fragments of a mysterious song in his dreams. Alongside him is his companion, Goo, a small, gummy, gelatinous creature who only Rickety understands. Together, they roam the Land of Eem, embarking on an adventure full of danger, humor, and quirky surprises.
The Land of Eem Connection
Rickety Stitch is set in the vivid, unpredictable Land of Eem (Yep, the TTRPG). In fact, Rickety Stitch is the original inspiration behind the development of the game and its world. Ben Costa and James Parks have been gaming enthusiasts since they were kids and see the Land of Eem as an extension of not only the world they created for their books (check out Dungeoneer Adventures!), but also as a way to expand on that world tremendously while designing a game that thrusts quirky unlikely heroes like Rickety and Goo into the forefront.
Why Readers Love Rickety Stitch—Humor, Adventure, and Heart
Costa and Parks weave humor and heart into every corner of Rickety’s adventure. The story strikes that perfect balance between lighthearted fun and genuine emotion, capturing readers with laugh-out-loud moments alongside sincere, relatable themes of friendship, resilience, and self-discovery. And, much like the game, the series often walks the line between whimsical fun and genuine peril for its characters.
Praise for Rickety Stitch
The series has earned great responses from authors and critics alike for its unique storytelling and lovable characters. Here’s what a few of them had to say:
- "You'd expect a skeleton like Rickety Stitch to have a funny bone, but you'll be surprised at how much heart he has, too." — Jeffrey Brown, Eisner Award-winning author of Jedi Academy
- "Rickety Stitch is full of wonderful characters and pacing… and what surprises! Storytelling stripped down to the bare bones." — Stan Sakai, Eisner Award-winning author of Usagi Yojimbo
- "Dazzling, inventive, and fun. Ben Costa and James Parks manage to both spoof and pay homage to the fantasy tradition, while creating characters we care about. A tour de force." — Jason Shiga, Eisner Award-winning author of Demon
- “This adventure is sure to appeal to fans of Jeff Smith's Bone.” — School Library Journal, Starred Review
- "Don't be fooled by the cheery illustrations; this is irreverent, bawdy, and lots of fun." — Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
- "There is lots of intertextual cleverness going on that results in this book being both an homage to and spoof of the traditional fantasy hero’s quest, both in the illustrations and in the narration." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Starred Review
- "Parks and Costa impressively evolve their tale into a compelling epic quest with deeper themes than the initial chapters hint." — Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
Visual Storytelling that Captivates
Ben Costa uses his distinctive art style to pull readers even further into the Land of Eem. The vibrant colors and expressive illustrations bring characters to life and highlight the world’s quirky charm, blending visual storytelling with humor and emotion, and using the Land of Eem setting as a kind of visual canvas that is as much a character as Rickety, Goo, or any of their menagerie of companions and adversaries. Fans of Jeff Smith’s Bone will feel right at home with Rickety Stitch.
Themes of Identity, Friendship, and Belonging
While Rickety Stitch is packed with fun, it doesn’t shy away from deeper themes:
- Identity and Self-Discovery: Rickety’s quest isn’t just for answers about his past; it’s about understanding who he is and where he belongs today. There’s nothing more anonymous than a skeleton and his journey echoes a theme we all relate to—Discovering our own identity.
- The Power of Friendship: Goo and Rickety’s friendship is at the core of the story, showing that loyalty and companionship can light the way, even in the darkest dungeons, and against insurmountable struggles.
- Overcoming Challenges: Rickety Stitch has doubts, second guesses, and mountains of uncertainties to overcome. The story offers a glimpse into how resilience in the face of hard times can often be the difference between being a hero or not. His sometimes impossibly seeming journey shows that courage and persistence go hand in hand.
Awards and Recognition
The positive responses to the series have led to a few awards and accolades, including a Junior Library Guild Selection, amongst others.
- Junior Library Guild Selection
- Young Adults Favorite Award
- Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List
These awards honor the series’ fresh storytelling, its engaging characters, and the creative world of the Land of Eem, solidifying its place in young adult fantasy.
New Exalted Edition Coming Soon
Exalted Funeral is publishing the exclusive Rickety Stitch Exalted Edition, all three full color graphic novels collected into a beautiful, high quality slip case. If you haven’t checked out the series already, don’t miss out. It’s a rare gem of a series.
FAQs
What grade level is Rickety Stitch?
Grades 7+, Ages 12+
How many books are in the series?
There are 3 volumes of Rickety Stitch: Book 1: The Road to Epoli, Book 2: The Middle-Route Run, and Book 3: Battle of the Bards.
Is Rickety Stitch connected to Dungeoneer Adventures?
The stories are not connected, but both of them take place in our world, known as the Land of Eem. If you're a fan of Rickety Stitch and know some younger readers, they might like Dungeoneer Adventures.
Can I listen to the music in Rickety Stitch?
Yes! The songs that appear in the series have been produced and performed by some seriously talented friends of ours, namely E. Wolverton, Darren Korb (Hades), and Ashley Barrett (Hades). You can listen to all the songs here.
