Sinbad

March 12, 2012
A tame, mildly interesting story decked in wonderfully exuberant art, this Indian comic transforms roguish Sinbad into the patient tutor of a wayward prince. When King Haakim sends his teenage son Habib on a voyage to teach him how to behave like an adult, the spoiled brat makes enemies of Sinbad’s crew and is responsible for the ship being blown off course and forced to anchor near islands full of dangerous giant animals, beautiful cannibal women, and an obstinately death-obsessed kingdom. Despite this, Sinbad rescues the prince from his blunders, while relating the tale of his own youthful adventures that helped him grow up. The story fulfills its didactic purpose adequately, but the book’s main attraction is New Delhi artist Kumar’s work, which makes angry giant snakes and slinky female assassins look both vibrantly energetic and believably solid. All ages. (Feb.)■