illustrated by Derek Kirk Kim
published by First Second Books
recommended for High School and Up

There’s a self-hate that goes along with being a geek sometimes. Yes, we’re into comic books and video games and all sorts of not-for-real-stuff, and usually we’re proud of it. But every now and then — after a nine-hour Lord of the Rings marathon, for instance — that little voice inside your head goes, “What the freak are you DOING??!!” Geek fantasy media can suck the life right outta ya. That’s what this book is about. Years ago, Derek and I did a book called Duncan’s Kingdom for Image Comics that talked about the relationship between fantasy and reality. We added two more short stories on the same topic and *ta da!* The Eternal Smile was born!