THICK AS THIEVES

Superhero pets return to save their owner from imminent peril in this sequel to Sidekicks (2011).

After a helpful recap of the series opener, readers encounter 55-year-old Harry Blake, aka Captain Amazing, who has left the Society of Superheroes and is enjoying his retirement and his new hobby, crocheting. He and his older sister, Kelly, decide to attend Crochet-Con, leaving superpets Manny the cat, Roscoe the dog, Shifty the chameleon, and Fluffy the hamster home alone. All is going well until Whipley, Shifty’s long-lost brother, shows up on their doorstep. While he’s thrilled to see Whipley, Shifty begins to question his brother’s motives and the timing of his arrival. When villains appear at Crochet-Con, the sidekicks must save Harry and Kelly from the nefarious clutches of Dr. Havoc. With his beloved owner in trouble, Shifty faces a difficult choice between friends and family. Santat’s sequel is an absolute gem that blends a thrilling (and uniquely quirky) superhero tale with an endearing exploration of found family. When Shifty experiences challenges to his alliances, choosing between Whipley and the sidekicks proves difficult: What qualities define a family? Tidily arranged, full-color panels featuring Santat’s trademark cinematic illustrations neatly convey all the exhilarating action, and a cliffhanger promises more fun to come. Be sure to get this into the hands of fans of Aaron Blabey’s Bad Guys series who are looking for their next read.

A purr-fect graphic tale full of tail-wagging, fur-raising excitement as well as heart and substance.