Sidekicks

May 2, 2011
Santat brings the world of superhero pets to life in this charming story. Captain Amazing is an aging human super-hero who announces to the world that he needs a new sidekick. His animal companions agreeâand each thinks he is the right creature for the job. Fluffy, a hamster; Shifty, a chameleon; Manny, a cat; and Rosco, a dog, compete, with all sort of interspecies rivalries emerging. When Captain Amazing's life is on the line, however, they find a way to come together. Santat's lively, colorful illustrations convey the action and humor that infuse the tale. The book functions both as a parable of sibling rivalry and overworked parents stretched too thin, and as a rollicking adventure tale. Ages 8â12.

June 1, 2011

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.

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

July 1, 2011

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

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2011
Grades 3-6 When Captain Amazing is laid up due to his peanut allergy, his pets secretly take up crime-fighting duties and end up in a trial by fire as they get tangled in a supervillains secret plot. Despite the presence of its charming animal characters, Santat produces much more of a dramatic adventure than a hilarious romp, which is by no means a bad thing. Realistic relationship dynamics come out as Fluffy the hamster must welcome and learn to count on newcomer Shifty the Chameleon, and a hint of psychological nuance is displayed in the static between the estranged runaway cat Manny and his former prot'g' Roscoe the dog. Well-crafted art balances the lighthearted and the rough-and-tumble and works equally well for the character moments and the epic battle at the end. Santat also cleverly uses the action to highlight the importance of smarts over simple brawn. Though not as emotionally intense, the combination of drama and superhero action compares favorably with The Incredibles.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2012
With veteran superhero Captain Amazing holding auditions for a new sidekick, his pets--a dog, hamster, and chameleon--hope to win the role. They train seriously but get into trouble fighting crime. Meanwhile, Captain Amazing's nemesis has stolen a belt that jeopardizes the entire city. Santat's genre-mash-up graphic novel features appealing, cartoonish art with bold geometric shapes and bright primary colors.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2011
Veteran superhero Captain Amazing is getting old, and when he decides to hold auditions for a new sidekick, his pets -- a dog, a hamster, and a newly acquired chameleon -- hope to win the role. They each train seriously for the next month, but while fighting crime they often get into more trouble than they bargained for. On one such escapade, they run into a mysterious cat who turns out to be Captain Amazing's erstwhile pet and sidekick. Meanwhile, Captain Amazing's nemesis, Dr. Havoc, has recently been released from prison and has stolen a powerful belt that jeopardizes the entire city. Of course, only with the combined help of all the sidekicks does the aging superhero prevail. Santat, who has previously illustrated picture books and chapter books, breaks welcome new ground here with what should be a popular graphic novel, thanks to the genre mash-up (animals and superheroes) and the appealing, cartoonish artwork with bold geometric shapes and bright primary colors. Young readers, moreover, may relate to the pets that simply yearn to spend more quality time with their overextended, workaholic owner. jonathan hunt

(Copyright 2011 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)