Zicky Wrath of the Rat King Book Tour

This post is sponsored by Shawn Hainsworth. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King

Created by Darin S. Cape

Illustrated by Zeno Decrux and Hiorsh Gabotto

Ages: 9+ | 160 Pages

Publisher: SHP Comics (2026) | ISBN-13: 979-8992749939

Publisher’s Book Summary: Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King is a fast, funny, manga-inspired graphic novel that blends fantasy adventure with heart, humor, and family appeal. When a cheeky underdog hero is pulled into a world of monsters, doppelgängers, and an army of rats, Zicky must rely on wit, courage, and unlikely friendships to survive. Bursting with kinetic action, playful mischief, and relatable growing pains, Zicky is a perfect gateway to manga for younger readers and a joyful, high-energy adventure for kids, teens, and families alike.

Praise: “Smart, energetic graphic novel blending fantasy and touching real-life emotion. Cape smashes expectations and keeps the pages pleasurably turning, all while grounding the chaotic story in the growing pains of children and the anxieties of the adults raising them.” —Booklife

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | SHP Comics

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shawn Hainsworth is the creator and writer, as Darin S. Cape, of Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King. The story began as bedtime adventures he invented for his own children, with Shawn playing the role of Zicky, a super-secret ninja who went on adventures while everyone else was asleep. Those family stories eventually grew into the world of Zicky, a graphic novel celebrating imagination, courage, family, and the hero inside every kid. Shawn lives in Western Massachusetts with his wife, two teens, and two hound dogs. He is the publisher of SHP Comics and is currently working on the sequel, Zicky: The Cursed Blade.

Website | https://www.instagram.com/shpcomics_kids

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATORS

Zeno Decrux is an accomplished illustrator and comic artist with over nine years of experience in the international independent comics scene. His work spans a diverse range of comics and manga titles, where he brings a dynamic, expressive style and a strong commitment to quality on every project. Passionate about storytelling through visuals, Zeno continues to push his craft forward with each new collaboration.

Jorge Luis Gabotto, also known as Hiorsh, is an Argentine cartoonist and writer from Mar del Plata. A visual arts teacher, puppeteer, and musician, he brings a multidisciplinary approach to storytelling. For him, comics are a fusion of art and literature—a cinematic form that combines movement, atmosphere, and emotion. His work explores themes of love, time, and perception, offering readers a personal and poetic vision of the world.

Author Interview with Shawn Hainsworth:

What was your favorite book as a child?

The Phantom Tollbooth. I love the way Norman Juster turns language and ideas into a world you can explore. It’s playful and wonderfully strange, and really made me think when I read it for the first time. That combination of imagination and intelligence has stayed with me.

Which speaking events are your favorite?

I most enjoy speaking at the American Library Association Annual Conference where I have presented on graphic novels and literacy. Librarians bring a lot of enthusiasm and thoughtfulness to conversations about books. It’s a wonderful opportunity to talk about graphic novels, connect with people who help readers discover them, and share what I’m creating at SHP Comics.

Who would you say has made you the author you are today?

Maurice Sendak, Dr. Seuss, and Richard Adams are the major influences for my writing for younger readers. I admire Sendak’s exploration of the emotional difficulties of childhood with a unique imagination and inventiveness. I love Dr. Seuss’ playful anarchy and enjoyed reading The Cat in the Hat to my children as much as I loved it as a kid. Richard Adams Watership Down is one of my favorite novels. From his adaptation of the Cassandra myth to his development of rabbit language and culture, to the powerful, moving and exciting story, I could read it over and over again. 

What are some tips that you would give to a young writer?

Start with a story that excites you and give yourself permission to explore it. Everyone’s process is different, and you don’t have to get everything right on the first try. Write, experiment, and keep going. Zicky began as stories I told my children, with no publishing plan in mind. You never know where an idea might take you.

Is the Rat King in this story related to the Rat King in The Nutcracker?

No, the Rat King wasn’t inspired by The Nutcracker. He was one of the villains I invented while telling Zicky stories to my children. Those adventures gave us a chance to play with all sorts of monsters, dangers, and impossible situations. I really like the Rat King as a character. He is a cheese-loving tyrant, but not ultimately the villain, and I like surprising readers with the way characters change over the course of the story. 

This wild adventure book would thrill my boys when they were younger. What age child would you read this to?

I recommend Zicky for readers ages nine and up.  I hope parents will enjoy reading it with their children. There are lots of references that only adults will get, and I like adding humor and enjoyment for parents as they read with their children. Zicky began with that shared storytelling experience, so there’s something special about families discovering it together. There are monsters, battles, and moments of danger, but also plenty of humor, warmth, and sibling mischief.

TOUR SCHEDULE

Readers who follow along on this virtual book tour will have the chance to win one of 10 signed paperback copies of Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King. One lucky grand prize winner will also receive a Zicky poster and pins.

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