Review by Booklist Review
Everyone thinks that being a superhero sidekick must be an awesome job, but Junior Justice (JJ), Flygirl, and Dinomite would all beg to differ. Their superhero partners take them for granted, so they decide to create their own superteam along with supervillain sidekick Goo, who just wants to have real friends and finally get away from the cruel Dr. Enok. Everything is going according to plan, but when the superheroes and Dr. Enok find them, it all turns into a nightmare: Goo is kidnapped by the evil Dr. Enok, and the sidekicks feel powerless to help. This story of friendship, teamwork, and resilience will resonate with any reader who has felt invisible. The brightly colored, eye-catching artwork features bold, stylized characters (most of whom present as white, except for JJ, who has brown skin) who gently lampoon superhero comics mainstays, and the cartoon action is clearly drawn and easy to follow. This fun take on the superhero genre for middle-grade readers nicely emphasizes friendship and standing up for oneself.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3--6--Superhero adults take a backseat as their kid sidekicks, tired of being ignored, grab the wheel and form their own team in the first volume of this action-packed series set in Sydney, Australia. Led by Junior Justice (JJ), a brown-skinned boy who's a technology and martial arts expert, Flygirl, a white, red-haired girl with the power of flight; Dinomite, a green, bespectacled dinosaur who speaks 47 languages, has a degree in quantum mechanics, and can transform into any dinosaur; and Goo, a pile of pink slime created by the villain Dr. Enok, join forces, become friends, establish their own identities, and take on their first mission. When Goo is kidnapped by Enok, the sidekicks must rescue him. Although the conceit of sidekicks rising to the status of superheroes isn't wholly original (the film Sky High and the comic Robin both portray similar story lines), this is a fun read for fans of adventure and superhero graphic novels. Than relies heavily on puns, vibrant colors, clean lines, and familiar motifs of good vs. evil. VERDICT A promising start to a new series that embraces friendship, action, and teamwork; sure to find an audience in any library serving young audiences.--Rachel Zuffa, Case H.S., Racine, WI
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Tired of being overlooked and underestimated, four sidekicks team up to prove they can be heroes in their own rights. Called together by Junior Justice, "the world's greatest martial artist," this motley crew of young crime fighters also includes Flygirl, an acrobatic flyer who can weaponize insects; Dinomite, a creature who can transform into any dinosaur; and unlikely ally Goo. Goo, a large pink blob, is the creation of the villain Dr. Enok and recently escaped imprisonment; he assures the other sidekicks that he's not evil and only looking for friendship. When the adult superheroes arrive to reclaim their sidekicks, they misjudge Goo's intentions, and a giant battle ensues. Amid the chaos, Dr. Enok swoops in and kidnaps Goo. The sidekicks formulate a plan to rescue their new friend by combining their individual talents to take down Dr. Enok. This entertaining series opener charms with bright, full-color illustrations and loads of humor. Easy-to-follow panels and action sequences keep the pages turning, and the setting of sunny Sydney, Australia, is a refreshing departure from Gotham-like locales. Junior Justice is cued as Southeast Asian with black hair and light-brown skin, and Flygirl reads White with pale skin and red hair. Most of the adult heroes and Dr. Enok read White. Armed with humor and heart, these underdogs are ready to step into the spotlight. (drawing tips) (Graphic adventure. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
