Especially after the introduction of the suave Captain Claudio, "PatP" might have been a heady bodice-ripper. But Polly's age -- she's 12 -- keeps things innocent and fun, with Polly relying on her ingenuity and strength of character to gain an upper hand with everyone she encounters. When we first meet her, Polly is meek and a little bored -- her adventures consist of slipping down to the kitchen late at night to get a glass of milk. But soon she finds herself leaping through ships' rigging and arranging mysterious rendezvous to obtain secret maps. "Polly and the Pirates" is ceaseless fun; it's published by Oni Press, whose awesome "Scott Pilgrim" series made our eyes turn star-shaped with dazzlement.

After the jump: Africa, and catwoman leaps around a bit.