Category: Children’s Books

Written by Derek Fridolfs & Illustrated by Dave Bardin

SUMMARY:

Published by Scholastic Inc. and DC Comics in 2019, this 176-page adventure re-imagines Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman as middle schoolers at Gotham City’s Hero Prep Academy.  Among the new participants this time is Diana’s new friend: classmate Etta Candy. 

Narrated by Diana Prince, the trio’s latest adventure involves 31^st Century’s Irma Ardeen (aka Saturn Girl) introducing them to the Legion of Super-Heroes.  Diana is evidently targeted by a mysterious time traveler with a personal vendetta.  With Irma’s help, Diana, Bruce Wayne, and Clark Kent chase the culprit from the 31^st Century to the past during a pivotal time in Diana’s young life.  In a deliberate nod to Back to the Future, the trio must discreetly revisit the events of the first book, Study Hall of Justice, to ensure that Diana’s destiny isn’t irreparably corrupted. 

Note: This title is available in both hardcover and paperback formats.

REVIEW:

Visually, Dave Bardin’s artwork holds its own with Super Hero Society’s original artist: Dustin Nguyen.  Besides the usual in-jokes, Bardin throws in sporadic comedy bits resembling Big Nate and Diary of a Wimpy Kid for good measure.  The complicated plot, however, isn’t as endearing as the first few books, but it logically assumes that fans will appreciate more of a challenge. 

The time-traveling hijinks later in the game muddle the series’ continuity (at least, temporarily).  Yet, writer Derek Fridolfs still does a wonderful job (pardon the expression) finally rotating Diana into the lead role.  Per Diana’s self-reflective journal entries, her opportunity is well-played.  The book’s concluding moral is also ideal, as far as developing empathy for others and unselfishly sharing spotlight opportunities.  The book’s best moment is Diana’s awe upon glimpsing the legend she will one day become.  The way Irma gently helps reverse Diana’s understandable mode of thinking is definitely a series highlight.  For that reason alone, DC Comics Super Hero Society # 5: Field Trip Disaster is worth the journey further exploring these young heroes-in-progress. 

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Like the previous books, the final page reprints brief bios on the creative team.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      8 Stars

Written by Derek Fridolfs & Illustrated by Pamela Lovas and Shane Clester

SUMMARY:

Published by Scholastic Inc. and DC Comics in 2019, this 176-page adventure re-imagines Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman as middle schoolers at Gotham City’s new Hero Prep Academy. 

Clark Kent’s journal entries help narrate the storyline, which extends the first four months of the school year.  Re-launching their in-house detective club as ‘The Justice Squad,’ Bruce, Diana, & Clark add Barry Allen, Victor Stone, Oliver Queen, Zatanna Zatara, & Arthur Curry to their gang.  New faces include: student Lois Lane (as Clark’s cohort at the school newspaper); Principal James Gordon; and several teachers and students readily familiar to DC Comics fans.  A mysterious spying ‘Eye’ is generating paranoia at the school and evidently sabotaging projects for the annual Science Fair.  Yet, Diana, Clark, & Bruce can’t let growing rifts within their inner circle keep them from exposing the unexpected truth and saving the Science Fair in time.   

Note: This title is available in both hardcover and paperback formats.

REVIEW:

Spoofing Batman’s history of compiling surveillance files against his own friends, Science Fair Crisis continues Super Hero Society’s knack of assimilating DC’s super-characters into a middle school setting.  Noticeably, there isn’t much humor this time – i.e. some reliable banter between Bruce and a droll Alfred would have been appreciated.  By focusing his plot solely at school, writer Derek Fridolfs compensates with a well-played script, particularly neat surprises near the end. 

Fans will appreciate hints at the series’ ongoing continuity, such as Clark reminding Lois that they had secretly worked together on the Fort Solitude case, and a recap of young Bruce’s past Bat-sleuthing during a scolding in the principal’s office.  Overall, Fridolfs’ homage delivers plenty of charm — even the kids’ science fair projects make perfect sense. 

Visually, the characters aren’t as endearing as how Dustin Nguyen had depicted them, but co-illustrators Pamela Lovas & Shane Clester still do a solid job.  It’s easy to tell who’s who — their style re-imagines the kids as slightly older versions of Nguyen’s designs.  The bottom line is that fans won’t be disappointed with the Science Fair Crisis. 

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

As with the previous books, the final page reprints brief bios on the creative team.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  8 Stars

Written by Derek Fridolfs & Illustrated by Dustin Nguyen

SUMMARY:

Published by Scholastic Inc. and DC Comics in 2016, this 176-page adventure re-imagines Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman as pre-teen students in Gotham City. 

Primarily narrated by Bruce Wayne, the junior Justice League trio’s latest adventure involves sabotaged student trophies presented by the city’s mayor.  After Clark Kent goes missing, Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince call upon Victor “Cyborg” Stone, a hyperactive Barry “Flash” Allen (who is much more like Wally West), and Oliver “Green Arrow” Queen to help investigate trophy manufacturer LutherCorp’s young son: Lex.  Now trapped in an alternate dimension known as a ‘phantom detention zone,’ the future Justice Leaguers must find Clark and escape their dire predicament.  Chased by shadowy phantoms, these temporarily powerless heroes face another challenge once some unexpected company joins them.   

Note: This title is available in both hardcover and paperback formats.

REVIEW:

For the most part, collaborators Derek Fridolfs & Dustin Nguyen are on their game re: Detention of Doom.  The difference this time is that their wonky Phantom Zone storyline isn’t nearly as endearing as the premises for the first two books.  Still, elementary school super-hero fans should enjoy its kiddie Justice League showdown with a pre-teen Legion of Doom.  The spot-on banter amongst Bruce’s friends and their interaction with a likable Bizarro is very enjoyable. 

The only superfluous element applies to the inclusion of Joe Kerr and Harley Quinn, though their kiddie chicanery briefly adds a plot twist.  However, Fridolfs & Nguyen save the book’s best moment for last between Alfred and an appreciative Bruce.  This scene is an amusing gem that any parent can relate to.  While this cute series is losing some steam, DC Comics Super Hero Society # 3: Detention of Doom is worth the read.  At the very least, its plotting is more cohesive than the previous book’s summer camp caper: Fort Solitude.   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

As with the last two books, the final page reprints brief bios on the creative team.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     7½ Stars

Written by Derek Fridolfs & Illustrated by Dustin Nguyen

SUMMARY:

Published by Scholastic Inc. and DC Comics in 2017, this 176-page adventure re-imagines Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman as pre-teen students in Gotham City. 

Primarily narrated by Clark Kent, the trio reunites at Evergreen Summer Camp, along with eighteen other DC Comics pre-teens  — some of whom appeared in the first book: Study Hall of Justice.  As their fellow campers mysteriously vanish, one by one, Clark, Bruce, and Diana investigate the camp counselors’ indifference to the growing crisis.  Yet, an old foe may be awaiting the kids, as perhaps this case really is a job for Superman.   

Notes: This title is available in both hardcover and paperback formats.  Also, in a continuity shift, Poison Ivy/Pamela Isley is now one of the pre-teens rather than an adult teacher, as depicted in the first book.

REVIEW:

Like the first book (Study Hall of Justice), collaborators Derek Fridolfs & Dustin Nguyen conjure up an endearing premise for summer camp hijinks, DC Comics-style.  Tinged with the right dosage of humor, this storyline makes a fun read for elementary school super-hero fans.  Due to its large cast, an unfortunate detriment is that Nguyen’s black-and-white visuals makes it harder to distinguish the characters from one another.  More so, it isn’t spelled out until late in the book exactly who all these future DC heroes and villains actually are.  Unseen cameos by Lois Lane and Vic Sage/Question are also confusing, as to whether or not they are among the current campers or had previously been there. 

Confirming Lois as an ex-camper is made evident later on, but a ‘Sage Advice’ journal entry doesn’t make sense.  It implies that Vic Sage is a kid, but a later story reference confirms him as the adult private detective he is in Study Hall of Justice.  Another puzzlement is Zatanna Zatara’s unexplained fate.  Lastly, the Fort Solitude treehouse itself contributes too little.  It would have made an effective device, had it been incorporated as a sanctuary earlier into the story.  Despite these plotting hiccups, Fort Solitude still delivers another engaging look at DC’s future Justice League.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

As with the last two books, the final page reprints brief bios on the creative team.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  7 Stars

Written by Derek Fridolfs & Illustrated by Dustin Nguyen

SUMMARY:

Published by Scholastic Inc. and DC Comics in 2016, this 176-page adventure re-imagines Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman as new ten-or-eleven year old students attending Gotham City’s private Ducard Academy. 

Primarily narrated by Bruce Wayne, his new friends/classmates/kindred spirits Clark Kent, and Diana Prince join him investigating sinister shenanigans afoot at the school.  In particular, their corrupt instructors encourage the students (especially Lex Luthor and a wacky Joe Kerr) to generally misbehave as they please.  Not only is their principal’s identity a well-kept secret, Bruce’s detective work indicates that the students are being primed for something called the mysterious ‘Nanda Parbat.’  Provided they can evade detention and still get their homework done, it’s up to future Justice Leaguers Bruce, Diana, and Clark to expose the mystery lurking within The Ducard Academy.  

Note: This title is available in both hardcover and paperback formats.

REVIEW:

For elementary school super-hero fans, this book is really a can’t-miss prospect.  Writer Derek Fridolfs delightfully packages DC’s three biggest names as precocious pre-teens without reducing them to caricatures.  Even more so, the clever little details and inside jokes Fridolfs throws in (i.e. the three idols Bruce has pictures of in his locker; P.E. Coach Zod insisting his students kneel before him, etc.) range from subtly insightful to LOL humor.  Though it won’t impede one’s reading, some DC references will appeal only to older fans, who, for instance, would recognize the academy’s unseen namesake (Henri Ducard) from Batman’s backstory.  Or, for that matter, recognize the civilian names of various DC super-villains.      

Yet, Fridolfs’ enjoyably spot-on text couldn’t succeed without illustrator Dustin Nguyen’s kiddie visuals (dialogue panels, diagrams, maps, etc).  While the cartoony black-and-white graphic novel approach is a genre standard, a lack of color does make it more difficult to decipher exactly which DC background characters are in some of Nguyen’s panels. 

Still, this book’s appeal is confirmed through glimpses poignantly reminding readers that, no matter his inner Batman,  this Bruce is still an orphaned and lonely little boy being raised by Alfred.  To a lesser degree, the same applies to a more temper-prone Diana coping with her heckling female classmates.  While Fridolfs & Nguyen’s depiction of Clark is the least surprising, they still likably imbue this Boy of Steel as the humblest and most optimistically naïve of the trio.  Balancing an endearing storyline and charming artwork (i.e. the cover image), DC Comics Super Hero Society # 1: Study Hall of Justice proves a gem to read.    

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The last page offers brief bios on the creative team.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 8½ Stars