Sidekicks

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Overview

Look up in the sky! It's a BOLD new graphic novel about SUPERHERO PETS!

Captain Amazing, superhero and savior of Metro City, is getting old. He's out all hours battling arch-villains, catching thieves, and helping little old ladies cross the street. He doesn't even have time for his house full of pets. He needs - a SIDEKICK!

Captain Amazing's four pets agree. But each one of them thinks HE should get the sidekick spot - and a chance for ...

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Overview

Look up in the sky! It's a BOLD new graphic novel about SUPERHERO PETS!

Captain Amazing, superhero and savior of Metro City, is getting old. He's out all hours battling arch-villains, catching thieves, and helping little old ladies cross the street. He doesn't even have time for his house full of pets. He needs - a SIDEKICK!

Captain Amazing's four pets agree. But each one of them thinks HE should get the sidekick spot - and a chance for one-on-one time with the Captain. Get ready for sibling rivalry royale as pets with superpowers duke it out for the one thing they all want - a super family.

A BOLD and BRILLIANT graphic novel romp by whiz kid Dan Santat.

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Editorial Reviews

School Library Journal
Gr 3–6—Middle-aged superhero Captain Amazing is looking for a new sidekick after his superpowered house pet and former cohort Static Cat runs away. His dog, Roscoe, is posing as superhero Metal Mutt in order to audition for his replacement, while his other pets—a hamster and a chameleon—train secretly with Static Cat as well. The artwork has an easily accessible style, and the characters display a distinctly identifiable design; they are rendered in such a way that makes them seem both solidly dimensional and appropriately cartoony. The story has a strong narrative continuity with a number of small details returning with dramatic importance later on, and each character has a particular arc of exploration and discovery. Full of inoffensive broad comedy, and providing a number of characters to relate to, Sidekicks is perfectly enjoyable, while still lacking the particular spark or inventiveness that would make it memorable. It should come as no surprise that Santat also created Disney's The Replacements, as this story has the tightness and pacing of a cartoon feature—-Benjamin Russell, Belmont High School, NH
Children's Literature - Michael Jung PhD
Being the super-powered pets of Metro City's greatest superhero Captain Amazing can be a real drag—especially when the Captain is too busy fighting crime to take his dog Roscoe out for a walk or play with his hamster Fluffy. But when Captain Amazing announces he is auditioning potential sidekicks, Roscoe and Fluffy (along with newly-bought Shifty the chameleon) see a perfect opportunity to get some quality time with their owner. Sure, Captain Amazing's sworn off animal sidekicks since that unfortunate incident with Static Cat—but maybe he will just think they are regular humans in animal costumes. Too bad there is only one sidekick position open. Soon, the former friends are squabbling with each other, forming secret alliances, and getting into more than their share of trouble with the criminal element. Then Captain Amazing's arch enemy Dr. Havoc returns with a plan to render his old nemesis powerless, and the pets must put aside their differences and band together to protect their master. Kids will enjoy the artwork, which showcases cute animals in costumes similar to those of Captain America and the X-Men's Colossus. Unfortunately, the story doesn't fare as well; it quickly becomes a cliche tale of squabbling siblings keeping their family together. It's not a bad story—it just doesn't offer anything new for those who've seen their share of animal superhero tales. Reviewer: Michael Jung, PhD
School Library Journal
Gr 3–6—Middle-aged superhero Captain Amazing is looking for a new sidekick after his superpowered house pet and former cohort Static Cat runs away. His dog, Roscoe, is posing as superhero Metal Mutt in order to audition for his replacement, while his other pets—a hamster and a chameleon—train secretly with Static Cat as well. The artwork has an easily accessible style, and the characters display a distinctly identifiable design; they are rendered in such a way that makes them seem both solidly dimensional and appropriately cartoony. The story has a strong narrative continuity with a number of small details returning with dramatic importance later on, and each character has a particular arc of exploration and discovery. Full of inoffensive broad comedy, and providing a number of characters to relate to, Sidekicks is perfectly enjoyable, while still lacking the particular spark or inventiveness that would make it memorable. It should come as no surprise that Santat also created Disney's The Replacements, as this story has the tightness and pacing of a cartoon feature—-Benjamin Russell, Belmont High School, NH
Kirkus Reviews

A veritable bonanza of capes, heroes and pets with superpowers abounds in illustrator Santat's first solo graphic novel.

Captain Amazing, the muscled hero of Metro City, is aging, and after a botched takedown of four nefarious villains, he decides he is in need of a trusty sidekick. Unbeknownst to Captain, his own pets are clamoring for the job (and for more quality time with their beloved owner). Fluffy, his hamster, has yet to discover his superpower, but this rodent has a lot of heart. Manny the cat (who has the ability to electrocute bad guys) had run away after his beloved toy Nummers went missing, but the prodigal cat returns just in time to help the Captain. Roscoe (a.k.a. Metal Mutt) has a gruff exterior but is fiercely loyal. Shifty, the newest addition to the family, is a color-changing chameleon who adds a dose of comic relief. The lovable menagerie of crime-fighting pets offers lots of laughs and a boisterous and exuberant storyline; Santat's illustrations are clear, engaging and neatly stacked into easy-to-read panels. While there is no mention of a sequel, subsequent volumes would certainly fly off the shelf faster than a speeding bullet, so here's hoping.

A vibrant volume sure to zoom, pow and swoosh its way into the hands (and hearts) of young superhero fans. Extremely entertaining. (Graphic fiction. 8-12)

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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780439298193
  • Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
  • Publication date: 7/1/2011
  • Pages: 224
  • Sales rank: 30,301
  • Age range: 8 - 11 Years
  • Product dimensions: 5.90 (w) x 9.00 (h) x 0.60 (d)

Meet the Author

Dan Santat wrote and illustrated the graphic novel SIDEKICKS, and has also illustrated many acclaimed picture books, including OH NO! (OR HOW MY SCIENCE PROJECT DESTROYED THE WORLD) by Mac Barnett. He lives in Alhambra, California. Please visit his website at http://www.dantat.com
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