Mind MGMT volume 1 by Matt Kindt

Mind MGMT Volume 1: The Manager by Matt Kindt, 200 pages
A YALSA 2014 Top Ten Great Graphic Novel for Teens

Meru, an investigative reporter, is adrift, searching for her next story. Two years ago, she wrote a bestseller, chronicling and solving a string of unsolved murder cases. She sees a news report about the anniversary of Flight 815 (no, not the one from Lost, but just as mysterious), whose passengers and crew all landed with their memories gone, with the exception of one seven year old boy. Even more mysterious is the fact that the plane departed with 121 passengers, yet arrived with 120. She decides to make this her next story, but her agent is skeptical - she's been down this road before, and came back with nothing. But he's willing to let her try again, and off she goes, searching for answers and that missing passenger, Henry Lyme. What she uncovers is the top secret Mind Management program, where gifted children are taught to use their mental prowess to warp the reality of others around them. They calm riots, ease peace talks, and control the public's collective memory through advertising. But some, including their own members, think they've gone too far and should be stopped.

I had heard about this book, but didn't know much about it other than it was pretty well loved by the comics people in my life. But man, am I glad I did. What I loved most was the idea: a shadowy organization, pulling the right strings at the right times to influence the world. And Matt Kindt (who's also a local author!)'s use of watercolors adds to the ethereal, dreamy quality of the story, further heightening Meru's uncertainty about what is happening to her. Kindt also manages to share with you what you need to know, while still leaving some mysteries unsolved to keep you coming back. If you're a fan of Lost or comics like Morning Glories then you definitely need to read this.

(Read as part of YALSA's Hub Reading Challenge)