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.
“I created Action Tank because kids are awesome, comics are awesome, and bringing the two together is, for me, a massive joyful privilege.
In the relatively small Australian market, where I’ve personally hand-sold thousands of my self-published copies, Action Tank has proven to be a series that kids, parents, teachers, librarians and booksellers all want, so I knew that when I was ready to take it to the world, I’d need a publishing partner who not only shared my goals, but also my belief that comics for kids can be, and should be, of a world-class quality.
I’ve been impressed by Scout’s innovative approach to publishing since they began, so when I heard about the launch of the SCOOT! Imprint, and its goal to inspire children to celebrate their own creativity, capability and imagination, I knew I’d found the right partner to help bring Action Tank to the kids and families of the world.”
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100 ACTION-PACKED, full-color pages for only US$9.99!
Best described as Where the Wild Things Are meets The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy, the first book in the critically acclaimed Action Tank series goes on sale in the USA in March 2022!
Find it at your favorite book retailer, your local comic shop or ScoutComics.com!
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Live in Australia?
You can already grab your copy now!
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“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)
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Mike’s self-published releases of the Action Tank series have proven to be a small-press sensation, earning multiple literary award nominations, including…
2021 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards
2021 Comic Arts Awards Of Australia
2021 Russell Prize for Humour Writing for Young People
2020 Aurealis Awards
2020 Australian Library & Information Association Notables
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You can now hear Mike talk about how and why he made Action Tank on a whole bunch of podcasts!
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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.
Action Tank – Book 1 was shortlisted for an Aurealis Award (Best Graphic Novel 2017), was included in the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge, and earned him a mentorship in the CBCA Maurice Saxby Creative Development Program.
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 has now been shortlisted for multiple literary awards, including the 2021 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards, The 2021 Russell Prize for Humour Writing, The 2020 Comics Arts Awards of Australia and the 2020 Aurealis Awards.
Mike has plenty to say, and can be found on instagram, twitter, and his other website. He also very occasionally sends out info and updates via his email list.
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Maybe you have a copy of Action Tank already, and you want to tell him how you feel about it? If so, use this form.
Or maybe you have a question about Action Tank, or about Mike, or about life? If so, use this form.
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You can also connect with Mike at his other website, on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, or by signing up for his email newsletter.