Sidekicks (review)

When old age and a peanut allergy threaten to take Captain Amazing out of commission, the hero of Metro City starts looking for a sidekick and potential replacement in this graphic novel. After watching their owner take down bad guys for years, Captain Amazing’s pets are certain they’re ready for the job—even if their master has no idea they’re even interested, much less in training. Roscoe, a.k.a. Metal Mutt, has been using his super strength to fight crime for some time now, while the near-invisibility powers of Shifty the chameleon are sure to come in handy while fending off villains. Fluffy the hamster isn’t quite sure what his superpower is yet, but he’s got guts and determination, and when he runs into Static Cat, former member of the Captain’s animal cohort and current runaway vigilante, he begs the kitty to take him under his wing—er, paw. Static Cat’s return to the household brings up some long buried (and probably natural) tensions between Manny (Static Cat’s alias) and Roscoe, but in the end, the four pets team up to save Captain Amazing from certain doom and live to fight another day. Panels populated with “BAM!”, “POW!”, and “KABOOM!” and defined, angular linework call up images of the golden age of superheroes. The rusty palette that characterizes the daytime scenes gets a bit monochromatic, but is nicely broken up by the more intense jewel tones indicating the pets’ nightly adventures. There’s a pleasingly understated parallel to human relationship in the sibling-like dynamics between the pets, and most youngsters will readily identify with one of the four creatures, be it the overburdened older brother in Roscoe or the underestimated little guy in Fluffy. Lively, insightful, and just plain fun, this convergence of capes and creatures will find a wide audience in animal lovers and superhero fans alike.