Super Sidekicks, seriously good fun: Review of Super Sidekicks #2 Ocean's Revenge

Earlier this year we were introduced to the Super Sidekicks in Super Sidekicks: No Adults Allowed, the first book of a graphic novel series about Junior Justice, Flygirl, Dinomite and Goo. Originally offsiders to grown-ups Captain Perfect, Rampagin Rita and Blast Radius. If you haven’t yet had a chance to check it out you can read our review here.

In the new addition to the series Super Sidekicks #2: Ocean’s Revenge, the fledgling group of superheroes are getting ready to take on whatever great danger the world faces. They have a pretty impressive new headquarters and are working on their skills and technology.

What they don’t realise is that trouble is brewing many miles away at what is called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch – where more plastic than you can possibly imagine has been deposited by humans.

Unbeknownst to humans, super heroes and the politicians who are gathered together for the 18^thVery Important Summit, the plastic contaminating the ocean has started to form into one of the most formidable creatures they have ever seen and it’s heading their way.

But where have all the grown up super heroes gone? It looks like the planet’s first line of defence is down and it’s time for the Super Hero Sidekicks to step up and take on what could be their biggest and dirtiest challenge yet.

Tiamata, mother of the seas, protector of oceans, custodian of all waters has created the Trash Titan and is seeking revenge. And the Sidekicks will have to delve into the belly of the beast – quite literally to take her on.

Australian author Gavin Aung Than has done it again with action from page one and a vibrant line up of characters. The creativity in evil villain and super hero alike knows no bounds. There’s also a very clear message about what we are (and unfortunately aren’t) doing to our oceans and while the superheroes will capture lots of little imaginations, they will also be learning about a lot more than they realise.

Graphic novels are the perfect way to appeal to reluctant readers and they will also win over any young would be artist. Prior to Super Sidekicks, Gavin Aung Than has had an impressive career with work published in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, Slate and Buzzfeed, amongst others and a collection of his comic strip Zen Pencils is a New York Times best seller so we are in good hands.

It won’t be long until your young reader is hooked so fortunately there is another book in the series coming next April Super Sidekicks #3: Trial of Heroes.

Purchase a copy of Super Sidekicks #2: Oceans Revenge | Read more from author Gavin Aung Than

Gavin Aung Than is a freelance cartoonist based in Perth, Australia. His webcomic Zen Pencils, a cartoon blog which adapts inspirational quotes into comic stories, has been featured by The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, Slate, Buzzfeed, Gawker and Brain Pickings, and was named one of the top 100 websites of 2013 by PC Mag. Zen Pencils has also been collected into New York Times bestselling books. His first series for children, Super Sidekicks, grew out of Gavin’s long-time obsession with superheroes.