Review by Booklist Review
In this second installment, Andrew (aka the superhero Smash) is struggling to balance schoolwork and friends with his crime-fighting responsibilities and battle training. But when his archnemesis, Magus, and his minions return in an attempt to defeat Smash and steal his powers, Andrew puts his fear aside to do what's right and save the day. Though this story has certainly been told before, the Boltons do a great job of making it accessible and inviting for the younger audience it's clearly geared toward. There's no introduction or recap, but those unfamiliar with Smash's first adventures should be able to pick up what's happening easily enough. Kyle Bolton's dynamic, fine-lined artwork certainly gets the job done and matches the fast-paced superhero persona of the piece. Although some panels seem a bit unpolished, the many action sequences are blocked out very well and make for thrilling chases and fights. One particular scene, in which Smash continuously loses and recaptures an escaped convict, is incredibly compelling and makes for great reading. Fun for superhero-adventure fans.--Peter Blenski Copyright 2018 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-A graphic novel about a pint-size kid taking over for his superhero idol, Smash is an action-packed crowd-pleaser. Fifth-grader Andrew Ryan is obsessed with local superhero The Defender. When he is killed in a freak accident, his powers are transferred to Andrew, who must adapt to his new heroic persona, dubbed "Smash." He quickly learns that fighting crime isn't easy. In the concluding showdown with supervillain The Magus, Smash narrowly escapes to fight another day-but so does Magus. The final panel indicates more adventures to come. Andrew doesn't go through a miraculous transition from zero to hero-he has no idea how to harness his new powers. His missteps add humor to the mix and allow young readers to put themselves in the 10-year-old's shoes. The full-color artwork is full of kinetic energy. Action sequences are rendered with a cinematic feel, heightening every punch, explosion, and impact. Smash pays homage to the genre while adding tweaks that make it all feel fresh. This is sure to be a draw for superhero fans and reluctant readers alike.-Travis Jonker, Wayland Union Schools, MI (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
When superhero Defender is killed by his nemesis, his powers are transferred to a lonely, bullied fifth-grader. Now it's up to Andrew Ryan to protect his city, though he still has a lot to learn about flying and landing. Mixing humor with action makes for a winning combination; a vivid palette and classic comic book-style greatly enhance the graphic novel package. (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
In this webcomic's print opener, a 9-year-old acquires superpowers but still has issues, such as his fear of heights and the difficulty of sneaking out of the house at night to fight crime. Without acquiring visible muscle, Andrew suddenly finds himself superstrong and supertough after the long career of Defender, the superhero he worships, comes to a sudden end in a mighty explosion. Discovering that ambition and a dorky homemade outfit doth not a superhero make, with some practice, Andrew nonetheless takes up some skills. He learns how to fly without running into things (deservedly acquiring along the way his moniker, "Smash") and to survive blasts and bullets while nabbing robbers and other malfeasants, costumed or otherwise. Unfortunately, he still has school, a mercurial big brother, parental rules and a bully problem (which he's savvy enough not to try solving the simplest way). That's not to mention the Magus, an archvillain out to regain the transferable superpowers he claims the Defender stole from him years ago. The Boltons provide easy-to-follow panels filled with action, wide eyes, banter ("Not another step or it's bye-bye puberty!"), and comically exaggerated differences between the puny (looking!) caped crusader and his much buffer adversaries. Smash battles his way through robots and other minions to a climactic and rousingly destructive, if inconclusive, climax that, natch, paves the way for sequels. Three cheers for the underdog. Maybe in future episodes he'll acquire better homework habits. (Graphic fantasy. 9-11)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.