Series: Super Sidekicks #1
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on November 17, 2020
Genres: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Superheroes
Pages: 144
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Superheroes have it soooo easy. They don't have to clean their secret headquarters, wash alien bloodstains out of their costumes, or walk Super Mutt. NO! They leave that for their sidekicks, while they get all the credit.
Well, Junior Justice, aka J.J., has had ENOUGH! He thinks it's time the sidekicks made a team of their own. Dinomite and Flygirl are ready to join the team, but first they have to prove to the adult superheroes that they're more than just sidekicks. And once the evil Dr Enok discovers his favorite pet Goo has left him, the world might need saving sooner rather than later. . . .
I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Junior Justice (JJ) is tired of being a sidekick. His mentor, Captain Perfect, makes him clean his secret headquarters, do his laundry, and stay in the shadows while he takes all the credit. So, he decides to form his own team. Joining him: Flygirl, who’s stressed by the unpredictability of Rampagin’ Rita; Dinomite, who’s tired of turning into a Tyrannosaurus Rex for Blast Radius to ride into battle; and Goo, who’s escaped his creator and tormentor, the evil Dr. Enok. Before they can establish their new headquarters, however, their superheroes arrive to take back and sidekicks, and Dr. Enok to seize his creation.
The story is straightforward: the sidekicks are good and tired of slaving under their superhero-overlords. The superheroes are comically insensitive and self-centered. And Dr. Enok is a classic scientist-inventor supervillain. Young readers will enjoy watching as the sidekicks outsmart the adults, overcome adversity, save the world, and establish their own team.
Bold, colorful artwork brings the characters and story to life. The bright palette is perfect for a humor-filled superhero book. The panels are easy to read and follow, great for readers who may be new to the graphic novel format. And I love how the chapter numbers are illustrated in the shape of Goo. Such a fun detail!
Bonus: At the end of this book, instructions have been provided on how to draw JJ and Flygirl. This is a nice touch for fans who would like to learn how to draw their favorite characters. (Note: Book 2 provides instructions on how to draw the other members of the Super Sidekicks.)
To Know
This book is set in Australia.
Super Sidekicks #2: Ocean's Revenge by Gavin Aung ThanSeries: Super Sidekicks #2
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on July 27, 2021
Genres: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Superheroes
Pages: 160
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
The Super Sidekicks are back! JJ, Flygirl, Dinomite, and Goo are settling into their fancy new headquarters and living the sweet life of superheroes. The Mother of the Seas, on the other hand, is NOT happy. She's sick of land dwellers using the ocean as a dumping ground . . . and she's seeking revenge! Can the Sidekicks step up and save humanity from the ocean's rage?
I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Tired of humans polluting the oceans, Tiamata, Mother of the Seas, decides to get revenge on humanity. She abducts the superheroes and world leaders, opening the way for her creation to lay waste to human cities. With the superheroes gone, the Super Sidekicks must save humanity from the ocean’s wrath—in their first official mission.
Super Sidekicks #2: Ocean’s Revenge introduces the issue of ocean pollution in a simple, straightforward way—through both images and words—young readers will understand. While this book portrays the widespread issue of ocean pollution, it also gives the issue a personal nature through the introduction of Tiamata, who grieves over the damage wrought upon her home and her children, the victims of humans’ thoughtless actions. And her path to vengeance gives us a hint of what humans have done to the ocean, in destroying sea creatures’ habitats.
Like Super Sidekicks #1: No Adults Allowed, Ocean’s Revenge delivers its story through bold, colorful images. While the children still outsmart and outwit the adults, and the adults are still foolish and insensitive, the story explores some more complex nuances of good versus evil. The “supervillain” is a Mother seeking to protect her home and her children, while the world leaders, who need saving, are the ones enabling humanity to pollute the ocean. These complexities provides an opening to discuss pollution with young readers.
In fact, the end of this book provides tips on three ways readers can eliminate waste—and be a hero. Another page provides directions on how to draw Dinomite and Goo.
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