Crazy Crossovers: Hero Hotline/Damage Control

These are some of the inter-company crossovers

that true nerds like me would like to see.

The incredibly funny and Easter-egg filled "Hero Hotline"

from DC (created by Bob Rozakis and Stephen DeStefano...

from Action Comics, Hero Hotline mini-series,

and various cameos)

meets

"Damage Control" from Marvel Comics

(created by Dwayne McDuffie and Ernie Colon...

from four different mini-series of the same name,

various cameos, and Marvel Comics Presents.)

Who could handle such a gargantuan task,

having a great script, balancing all these groovy

characters respectfully, delving into the universes'

histories and minutia, and telling a funny story

without the need for expletives and bloodshed?

Why, re-team ol' "Spider-man/Human Torch"'s

amazing creative team of Dan Slott and Ty Templeton.

And Bob and Stefano take up alternating issues on the mini!

Yay!

*** 

Secret Science Alliance

A recent great find was the graphic novel by Eleanor Davis,

"The Secret Science Alliance (and the Copycat Crook.)"

Aimed at older 'kids,' it is the highly entertaining and fun

fight for the under-dog science kids..with a twist! While the

story starts out as a POV of Julian (who, perhaps not

coincidentally, looks reminiscent of Dexter of Dexter's

 Laboratory?) as the incoming science geek at a new school.

His introduction to the new digs, his dealings with

family, and his attempts at assimilating as a popular kid

are heroically and tragically relateable, yet hilarious in the way

they are depicted.

Soon enough, he meets some fellow science geeks in

unusual packaging. I loved how the very believable

takes on Greta and Ben as 'non-traditional' science geeks

both introduces some much-needed kid characters of

different race/ethnicity, but also turns the nerd/geek

dynamic on its ear. (Similar to Percy Jackson, any

ADHD/ADD kid, alternate learning, dyslexic, etc. can

relate to the Ben character in particular!)

(The adults also get fair treatment, unlike so many 'kids'

books!)

The very tight and crisp art is a joy; lots of awesome

cutaway views, large dioramas, blueprints and other

intricate cool stuff. (Comic geeks will perhaps note

their appreciation if they are fans of Ty Templeton,

Kano, Chris Ware, and other fabulously talented

craftspeople.)

This is definitely an all-ages accessible book, an

engaging and light read, but filled with your usual

outsider-fights-back inspiration. Great for all the

bullied/ignored/misunderstood kid...of any age!

(Bloomsbury publisher.)