Review by Booklist Review
Scheidt (Mayor Good Boy, 2021) here offers a comic where professional wrestlers' larger-than-life personalities go beyond the ring to become something like superheroes, battling evil to save the world. Mr. Johnson, the chairman of S.L.A.M. wrestling, has just won the presidential election and has taken his top-tier wrestlers with him to act as an elite team of heroes. Tween Katie Jones, a world-famous wrestling vlogger, is granted a behind-the-scenes interview at the White House with one of these wrestlers, Bravado Bruno. During the interview, the president sends Katie along with the team on a mission to stop an evil group, "The World Domination Society," from stealing an ancient wrestling belt said to give its champion incredible powers. Scheidt brings the over-the-top antics of professional wrestling to his comic, with playful, exciting action and ample jokes that even non-wrestling fans can enjoy. McMahon's artwork complements the story with bold colors, cartoonish shapes, high-flying fight scenes, and plenty of muscle-bound characters. Raucous fun for middle-grade readers who are starting to grow out of Dog Man.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4--8--Combining multiple genres and themes--professional wrestling and espionage adventure chief among them--this is an entertaining romp featuring dazzling, larger-than-life characters, told through the point of view of a kid who gets an opportunity to experience the action firsthand. Though she may be young, Katie Jones is a world-renowned vlogger who covers pro wrestling, and she is granted an exclusive interview with Bruno Bravado, an obvious ersatz Hulk Hogan and the most famous wrestler in the world. The president of the United States, a former pro wrestling promoter, decides to extend Katie's invitation to interview the full team that is the Agents of S.L.A.M.: professional wrestlers who use their in-ring abilities to fight against the World Domination Society. It's not long before Katie is off on a mission with the Agents of S.L.A.M. to protect a mystical championship belt, and what follows is a wild ride complete with monsters, aliens, magic, and a secret moon base. Katie is Black, while other characters represent a fairly diverse spectrum of ethnicities, genders, and even age groups. VERDICT Any kid who has fantasized about being part of the action in a superhero or action film will enjoy seeing this tale play out. It's a quick and exciting read with colorful artwork, cartoonish character design akin to contemporary animation, and a great hook for a sequel.--M. Brandon Robbins
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