Happy Saturday y’all! Marvel has teamed up with Scholastic to bring their characters to a younger audience. Comics for all ages 8 and up (and a few for younger ones) can be found featuring Spider-Man, the Junior Avengers, and more. I’ve had the pleasure to read a few of these already and can tell you they are exactly what you’d expect in a comic from Marvel. My almost 11–that breaks my heart!–loves them so far! If you have an eager reader, a reader intimidated by too many words, or one that loves graphic novels, I highly recommend them.
I received this book via the publisher, Graphix. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Great Power, No Responsibility by Steve Foxe Illustrator: Shadia Amin
Series: Spider-Ham Original Graphic Novel
Published by Graphix on 2021-09-28
Length: 80 pages
Reviewing Paperback Rating:
Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham (and breakout character from Into the Spider-Verse), arrives in this all-new, original graphic novel for younger readers!
Experience a laugh-out-loud day in the life of Spider-Ham! After long being derided by the citizens of New York, Spider-Ham has finally been recognized for his outsized contribution to the city's safety, and receives the key to the city from none other than the mayor (and, being a cartoon universe, the key actually unlocks New York City's political and financial institutions). Sure, it's just a publicity stunt for the beleaguered mayor-and yeah, maybe every single other super hero was busy that day -- but an award is an award!
Of course, Spider-Ham isn't paying attention to the fine print telling him he didn't actually get to keep the key, and he swings off without returning the highly coveted oversized object. The next day, when the mayor's office finally gets in touch to ask for the key back, Spider-Ham realizes he must have dropped it sometime in the last 24 hours. YIKES.
Now, our notoriously empty-headed hero must retrace his steps from the past day, following his own trail to discover where he dropped the key before it falls into villainous hands. Did he lose it during a rooftop chase with the Black Catfish? Drop it in the middle of a tussle with the Green Gobbler? Leave it behind while visiting Croctor Strange's magic mansion? Accidentally store it next to May Porker's vacuum cleaner? Who knows? You'll have to read to find out! But one thing's for sure -- Great Power, No Responsibility is an action-packed, hilarious adventure perfect for younger readers.
This is a fun read! Great Power, No Responsibility by Steve Foxe is the first in a new graphic novel series featuring Spider-Ham, everyone’s friendly neighborhood pig. In this adventure, Spider-Ham is presented with the key to the city of New Yolk by Mayor McGoat. He wasn’t supposed to take the key from the ceremony as it was just symbolic, but the adolescent spider turned pig did just that. The next morning, the city is on the search for the key, and Spider-Ham needs to remember where he left it.
The Marvel multiverse is one of my personal favorites to explore. It opens up a wide array of characters and interpretations of the superheroes we know and love. Spider-Ham is no exception. The story presented here is quite funny, engaging and serves as an introduction for younger or new readers of Marvel. I liked seeing my favorite superhero in a new light and found myself chuckling at his antics. True to the title, Spider-Ham is quickly learning what it means to be a superhero and the responsibility that comes with it.
The illustrations are exactly what I’d expect from a Marvel comic, even one written for a younger audience. Colorful and full of hidden details that move the plot along, each page has new clues to the key’s whereabouts. Easy to read, bold typeface will give early readers confidence in tackling this one on their own.
Final Thought: Great Power, No Responsibility is an exciting adventure throughout the multiverse, teaching responsibility and attention to detail throughout its pages.
I received this book via the publisher, Graphix. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Ms. Marvel: Stretched Thin by Nadia Shammas Illustrator: Nabi H. Ali
Published by Graphix on 2021-09-21
Length: 128 pages
Reviewing eARC Rating:
An original middle-grade graphic novel starring breakout character (and New Jersey's own) Ms. Marvel!
Kamala Khan (a.k.a Ms. Marvel) is stretched too thin-literally. She's having a hard time balancing schoolwork with being a good friend, being there for her family, becoming the best fanfic writer this side of the Hudson River ... and, you know, becoming a Super Hero. She's tired and just barely keeping control, BUT she's handling it. Totally.
But when a mysterious robot tries to infiltrate Avengers Tower, it'll be up to Ms. Marvel to (again, literally) pull herself together, learn to ask for help, and fix the mess she's made before anyone gets hurt!
Ms. Marvel: Stretched Thin by Nadia Shammas is a middle-grade graphic novel featuring New Jersey’s newest teen superhero. Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel, is struggling to adjust to her new life as a superhero. Balancing school, family, friends, and training with the Avengers, Kamala is exhausted and feels as though she is letting everyone down. Is she really cut out for all this superhero stuff if she can’t even keep up with her young nephew?
I really appreciated the introduction to this new character. I loved seeing her balance normal life with being a superhero. Middle schoolers will identify with Kamala’s struggle as they move from elementary school to middle school and even to highschool with new responsibilities and more expected of them. Kamala’s own hesitancy to ask for help when she needs, shutting out her family and trying to be the hero she thinks everyone expects of her really shines a light on working as a team and relying on those you love and that love you.
The illustrations and panels are exactly what I’ve come to expect from anything with Marvel’s name attached. It’s eye-catching with an easy to read typeface. Readers of all ages will enjoy it.
Final Thought: Ms Marvel: Stretched Thin shows the importance of working as team and knowing your own limits. Middle grade readers who are adjusting to new responsibilities will especially identify with Kamala and her own struggles throughout the book.
I received this book via the publisher, Graphix. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Miles Morales: Shock Waves by Justin A. Reynolds Illustrator: Pablo Leon
Published by Scholastic Inc. on 2021-06-01
Length: 128 pages
Reviewing Paperback Rating:
An original middle-grade graphic novel from Graphix starring Brooklyn's Spider-Man, Miles Morales, by bestselling author Justin A. Reynolds and Eisner nominee Pablo Leon!
Miles Morales is a normal kid who happens to juggle school at Brooklyn Visions Academy while swinging through the streets of Brooklyn as Spider-Man. After a disastrous earthquake strikes his mother's birthplace of Puerto Rico, Miles springs into action to help set up a fundraiser for the devastated island. But when a new student's father goes missing, Miles begins to make connections between the disappearance and a giant corporation sponsoring Miles' fundraiser. Who is behind the disappearance, and how does that relate to Spider-Man?
A true middle grade graphic novel starring one of Marvel's most popular characters, bestselling author Justin A. Reynolds (Opposite of Always) and Eisner award-nominated artist Pablo Leon (Refugees) create a riveting story that will connect with new and well-versed comics readers alike.
Miles Morales: Shock Waves by Justin A. Reynolds is a new middle-grade graphic novel series featuring Brooklyn’s own Spider-Man. Miles Morales is from all appearances a normal kid attending boarding school by day and fighting crime at night as a junior Spider-Man when his mom’s home country, Puerto Rico, is hit with a massive earthquake. Wanting to help in some way, Miles organizes a relief fundraiser, drawing some unwanted attention and making a few new friends along the way.
I personally really enjoyed the Marvel movie that introduced us to Miles. This book deviates slightly from it, creating a world in which Peter Parker and Miles exist together. I really like that aspect. Miles has someone to ask questions too and rely on when being a superhero gets tough. It is a lesson of when to ask for help and recognize that maybe your plate is too full that the plot of the story teaches readers. I liked that the book had two plots that intersect.
The story focuses on Miles’s life at school and home and his life as Spider-Man. At school, Miles is helping a new friend establish herself at their school as well as organize the fundraiser for Puerto Rico. At night, Spider-Man is chasing down two new villains who have superpowers of their own. It takes teamwork to crack the case and help his new friend.
The paneling and font are exactly what I’ve come to expect from Marvel. They are engaging, full of details and easy to read. I love the attention Leon gives to details. There are some small clues along the way that point to the climax that observant readers will pick up on.
Final Thought: Miles Morales: Shock Waves is an exciting action adventure with new friends and teaches the importance of balancing priorities.
Your Turn! Do you enjoy graphic novels? What are you reading with your little one now? Share below
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