We’re just back from Heroes Con, a huge comic convention in North Carolina, where hundreds of comic and graphic novel writers and artists display their talents. These three caught our attention as appropriate for kids, and also well-written and fun.
Spider-Man: Animals Assemble by Mike Maihack
This is the first book in a graphic novel series called A Mighty Marvel Team-Up, featuring a childlike Spiderman and cameos by many other Marvel superheroes. The third book will be out soon. It is for readers of “all ages.” It has a wonderfully silly, kid-friendly plot that puts cooperation and neighborliness above fighting. All of the superheroes in the story are exuberantly friendly and helpful. And cute. There is an adorable pigeon companion. Remember: “With great power comes . . . an ability to do AWESOME flips.”
Cleopatra in Space by Mike Maihack
This series began in 2014 and is now up to six books. It was selected as a “YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers.” Cleopatra is a fifteen-year-old who is bored by her private schooling, and feels trapped by her life as the next Queen of Egypt. Her intelligence and skills are revealed by the inventiveness of the trouble she gets into. On one of her extra-curricular adventures, she is wafted to the far future, where she is expected, possibly, to save the galaxy someday. But first . . . she has to attend school. Fortunately, preliminary galaxy-saving adventures are sometimes available, and accompanied by a grumpy but adorable talking cat.
Cosmic Cadets: Contact by Ben Crane and Mimi Alves
This is a middle-grade, independent graphic novel, full of friendship and understanding, along with space adventure and a surprisingly tense plot. The kids of a very diverse intergalactic exploration crew go on their own planet-side adventure and discover friendly aliens. Each of the kids’ individual strengths contribute to a successful first contact. Meanwhile, the adults prepare for a war against the new alien species, in order to rescue their kids. Will the kids be able to clear up the misunderstanding in time? The story is very well written, with a cast of characters, both kids and adults, who break out of stereotypes and are relatable and unique. The authors are working on their next adventure.
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