theartolater's review
3.0
I love the continued turning of webcomics into trade books, and this webcomic (which is ultimately a throwback that works well for a middle grade audience) is about a 5th grader who inherits the powers of the local superhero. The story follows Smash as he learns how to use his powers and faces off against Mangus, the supervillain interested in stealing those powers for his own.
It's a fun story, a throwback as I said. It's cute and inoffensive, and I don't know for sure it works, but it was still a pleasant experience on a whole. Closer to a 3.5.
It's a fun story, a throwback as I said. It's cute and inoffensive, and I don't know for sure it works, but it was still a pleasant experience on a whole. Closer to a 3.5.
katiegrrrl's review
4.0
A young boy idolizes local superhero and through a freak accident absorbs his powers.
allicatbooks's review
4.0
This was adorable. I love a superhero story and this was just that for me. Not to dark or heavy, it is a children's book after all. While some of the story line felt a bit familiar (how many times have we seen a science experiment cause an accident with superheroic consequences?) it did not take away from the quirkiness of this particular tale.
miztrebor's review against another edition
4.0
I don’t read many graphic novels, but I’m happen I took the chance with this one.
I enjoyed the concept of having a ten year old character become a superhero. Most of the heroes of our modern mythology are in their late teens, at the youngest, and while that always brings with it real-life issues to go along with those of being a superhero, I think a ten year old can bring a fresh batch of obstacles to the mix. Andrew/Smash has to deal with a school bully, his older brother (also a, more mild, bully…like all brothers tend to be), and all the other “problems” of being young and not really fitting in. How can a kid that young juggle his normal life with his new superpowers? Well, this is something I hope future Smash books will explore.
In this first installment of the series, I felt that it was a strong début for the character and story. It’s a great origin story for Smash, with hints at many different sub-plots I can’t wait to see explored as well. I also liked the villain, Magnus. I see him as a strong and powerful foe. There wont’ be any easy battles for our young hero.
I think this, overall, is a great story with great artwork and while I feel it’s aimed at a younger audience (especially with today’s push toward educating kids about bullying), more seasoned superhero fans should enjoy this little guy. I’m looking forward to future Smash books.
I enjoyed the concept of having a ten year old character become a superhero. Most of the heroes of our modern mythology are in their late teens, at the youngest, and while that always brings with it real-life issues to go along with those of being a superhero, I think a ten year old can bring a fresh batch of obstacles to the mix. Andrew/Smash has to deal with a school bully, his older brother (also a, more mild, bully…like all brothers tend to be), and all the other “problems” of being young and not really fitting in. How can a kid that young juggle his normal life with his new superpowers? Well, this is something I hope future Smash books will explore.
In this first installment of the series, I felt that it was a strong début for the character and story. It’s a great origin story for Smash, with hints at many different sub-plots I can’t wait to see explored as well. I also liked the villain, Magnus. I see him as a strong and powerful foe. There wont’ be any easy battles for our young hero.
I think this, overall, is a great story with great artwork and while I feel it’s aimed at a younger audience (especially with today’s push toward educating kids about bullying), more seasoned superhero fans should enjoy this little guy. I’m looking forward to future Smash books.
amdame1's review against another edition
4.0
Andrew has always looked up to superhero, Defender, even dressing up as him on Halloween. When Defender is defeated by archenemy Magus, Andrew is inadvertently given Defender's powers. Wearing his homemade costume, he sets out to defend the innocent and bring evil-doers to justice - all the while trying to go to school, do his homework, and defend himself against the school bully.
Quite a fabulous graphic novel. I enjoyed it thoroughly and imagine that once it goes out, it won't sit on the shelf again for quite a while.
Quite a fabulous graphic novel. I enjoyed it thoroughly and imagine that once it goes out, it won't sit on the shelf again for quite a while.
alisazhup's review
2.0
The reading level of this book is a little too much above the interest level.
A young boy, Andrew, has an average life. He gets bullied, he celebrates Halloween, he has a family. How much of that will change when his idol superhero dies, and he gets his powers?
This book is okay- I like the plot, I guess. It's an interesting take on fantasy: what if superheroes sucked at being superheroes?
It's a great plot, but that's definitely not how I would write it.
The conflicts are what ruined the book for me. They repeat themselves over and over again. The only non-repeating parts in the story are the events in the beginning.
We also get absolutely no break from them: it's confliiiiccccttttt, break, confffffllllllliiiiiiiiccccttttt, break.
2.5 Stars
A young boy, Andrew, has an average life. He gets bullied, he celebrates Halloween, he has a family. How much of that will change when his idol superhero dies, and he gets his powers?
This book is okay- I like the plot, I guess. It's an interesting take on fantasy: what if superheroes sucked at being superheroes?
It's a great plot, but that's definitely not how I would write it.
The conflicts are what ruined the book for me. They repeat themselves over and over again. The only non-repeating parts in the story are the events in the beginning.
We also get absolutely no break from them: it's confliiiiccccttttt, break, confffffllllllliiiiiiiiccccttttt, break.
2.5 Stars
skjam's review
3.0
Disclosure: I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway, on the premise that I would review it.
Life is hard for Andrew Ryan, short, wimpy fifth-grader in the city of Seatown. Divorced parents, troubled older brother, bullies…and he has to settle for a homemade Defender costume sewn with love, instead of a cool storebought Defender costume like the other kids. He dreams of becoming Sparrowhawk, a powered sidekick for Defender.
Life is good for Defender, Seatown’s greatest (and since Wraith retired, only) superhero. Cool powers, a job he loves, the adoration of the people and a costume that kids want to wear for Halloween. But he does have enemies, and he hasn’t realized quite how many.
The day comes when Defender’s archenemy Magus attempts to steal his powers. Magus doesn’t get the powers, but in the explosion, Defender apparently dies, and somehow Andrew finds himself with most of Defender’s super-abilities. Emboldened by the loss of Defender, the criminal element becomes active in Seatowh. Andrew decides he’s going to have to step up as the superhero Sparrowh–SMASH!
Andrew Ryan reminds me of early Peter Parker in that his superpowers don’t make his life any easier. He doesn’t have a good grasp of how to use them–he gets his super-name from the property damage caused by his poor flying skills. He doesn’t trust his older brother or the adults in his life, so keeps his identity secret, which means he still has to put up with the bullies (who are really persistent, and their leader Gareth clearly has a future in the financial industry given his fondness for fees and penalties.)
The police aren’t too thrilled with SMASH either, wanting to arrest him for his own good…or worse. Plus Magus wants to retry that “steal the hero’s powers” thing, without the pesky not getting the powers himself thing.
The art is pretty good, and the writing is okay. This book should be suitable for children of about nine and up, though parents may want to read it with younger ones and discuss when it is and isn’t appropriate to keep secrets from adults. The production quality is high, so the book is good value for money.
Life is hard for Andrew Ryan, short, wimpy fifth-grader in the city of Seatown. Divorced parents, troubled older brother, bullies…and he has to settle for a homemade Defender costume sewn with love, instead of a cool storebought Defender costume like the other kids. He dreams of becoming Sparrowhawk, a powered sidekick for Defender.
Life is good for Defender, Seatown’s greatest (and since Wraith retired, only) superhero. Cool powers, a job he loves, the adoration of the people and a costume that kids want to wear for Halloween. But he does have enemies, and he hasn’t realized quite how many.
The day comes when Defender’s archenemy Magus attempts to steal his powers. Magus doesn’t get the powers, but in the explosion, Defender apparently dies, and somehow Andrew finds himself with most of Defender’s super-abilities. Emboldened by the loss of Defender, the criminal element becomes active in Seatowh. Andrew decides he’s going to have to step up as the superhero Sparrowh–SMASH!
Andrew Ryan reminds me of early Peter Parker in that his superpowers don’t make his life any easier. He doesn’t have a good grasp of how to use them–he gets his super-name from the property damage caused by his poor flying skills. He doesn’t trust his older brother or the adults in his life, so keeps his identity secret, which means he still has to put up with the bullies (who are really persistent, and their leader Gareth clearly has a future in the financial industry given his fondness for fees and penalties.)
The police aren’t too thrilled with SMASH either, wanting to arrest him for his own good…or worse. Plus Magus wants to retry that “steal the hero’s powers” thing, without the pesky not getting the powers himself thing.
The art is pretty good, and the writing is okay. This book should be suitable for children of about nine and up, though parents may want to read it with younger ones and discuss when it is and isn’t appropriate to keep secrets from adults. The production quality is high, so the book is good value for money.
More...