Mike Barry's amazing graphic novel series for amazing kids.
Action Tank is the critically acclaimed graphic novel series from Australian writer/illustrator Mike Barry.
With TWO EPIC VOLUMES made specifically for 7-12 year old readers, Action Tank is a full-colour comic book story about a boy who finds himself on the other side of the Solar System but needs to get home in time for his Mum’s spaghetti carbonara.
“Smart, funny, and dynamically designed, Action Tank is an impressive debut that’s sure to engage readers, some of whom will no doubt be inspired to write and draw their own powered-up comics.”
– SHAUN TAN (The Arrival, Cicada, Tales from the Inner City)
“A truly exceptional use of the comic form. This is a big smile from end to end.”
– RYAN K LINDSAY (Everfrost, Eternal, Beautiful Canvas)
“Mike’s talent continues to astound me. If I didn’t know what a gentle nerd he was, I’d be intimidated.”
– NAT AMOORE (Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire, The Right Way To Rock)
~~~~~~
Join Mike’s Email Newsletter
Panel 2
About Mike
Mike Barry is a writer and illustrator from Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
Supported by a career in advertising, he created, crowd-funded and self-published his first middle-grade graphic novel Action Tank – Book 1 in 2017, which quickly gained popularity with readers and recognition with critics.
The success of Book 1 laid the foundation for the much anticipated second chapter in the series, the 2020 released Action Tank – Book 2, which was created thanks to another successful crowd-funding campaign, and with support the Creative Partnerships Australia MATCHLab program.
Action Tank – Book 2 was shortlisted for multiple literary awards, including the 2021 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards, The 2021 Russell Prize for Humour Writing and the 2020 Aurealis Awards. In 2021, Action Tank – Book 2 won a Comics Arts Awards of Australia.
Aside from Action Tank, Mike has also joined forces with Australian kid-lit superstar Nat Amoore to create We Run Tomorrow, a heart pounding graphic novel / novel mashup about a group of comic book obsessed kids who kidnap their best friend and run away from home to become movie stars.