The last comics on earth

Gr 3--7--Jack, Quint, June, and Dirk of Brallier's ongoing hybrid graphic-prose series "The Last Kids on Earth" (Netflix-adapted, with the ninth installment publishing this fall) get a symbiotic graphic spin-off here--because they need to make their own comic(al) series. They've just realized they've thoroughly, unbearably, run out of issues starring their favorite superhero, Z-Man: Protector of Apocalyptia. But wait! "We'll write the next issue of the series," June declares. They'll create their very own superheroes to save Z-Man, last left on a cliff-hanger. Quint becomes Super Inventorist Dude Doc Baker; June is Moonstar, the Quasar Warrior (and her dog sidekick, Meepu, too!); Dirk is Savage Aloner; and Jack is Boy Lightning (who already has official merch to sell). Uhh, but what about Z-Man? Daymond's unflagging energy is admirable, but with such a vast cast, his solo show doesn't quite embody every character evenly--or affectingly. Without the one-color/full-color delineations (real time versus the quartet's brave new worlds, respectively) provided on the page, audiences might struggle to distinguish who's who and what's what. VERDICT "Last Kids" fans will, of course, request immediate access. Newbies without series history can also enjoy as a fresh read.

Four self-invented superheroes battle each other as well as two giant supervillains in this triple-threat outing. In a comic-within-a-comic episode with plenty of Captain Underpants in its DNA (albeit more polish in the art) light-skinned Last Kids Jack and Dirk, along with brown-skinned buds June and Quint, are bummed to discover Z-Man, their favorite zombie superhero, left literally dangling off a cliff at the end of his comic's last issue--and so they concoct secret identities of their own. In pages that switch from monochrome to full color, they dash off on separate rescue attempts with doggy sidekick Meepu tagging along. Unfortunately, the rivals not only fail, but get in one another's way even while the burg of Apocalyptia is ravaged in turn by glutinous nihilist Muto the Unsympathetic and video gamer gone bonkers Final Boss Bob. Along with nifty costumes and distinctive powers (June, for instance, as Moonstar the Quasar Warrior, can shoot Starburst Snot Rockets), each hero comes with distinctive special gear, a full origin story, a secret hideout, and even a line of (fictive, at least so far) merch to peddle. And, after many a setback and snarky comment, the four do get their acts together in time to team up and save the town. They then return in triumph to their original limited-palette visuals and treetop clubhouse to plot out future episodes…cooperatively. Creative, quip laden, and replete with manic mischief to lighten the message. (Graphic fiction. 8-13) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.