THE STUPENDOUS SWITCHEROO

A kid with unpredictable superpowers gets a crash course in heroes, villains, and perspective.

The book opens as the nameless protagonist/narrator wakes up one day with unexplained powers of telekinesis. Understanding the nature of the ways his powers switch every day—and choosing his superhero name, the Stupendous Switcheroo—comes later, but with his inventor mother gone on an extended trip, he only has to answer to Al, a babysitting robot. When Vin Valor, Switcheroo’s favorite superhero, needs a hand, he uses his mom’s teleportation technology to leap into action. However, with each passing day, he misses his mom a little more. Switcheroo teams up with Tana, a wunderkind from Vin Valor’s organization, to navigate his changing powers, find his mom, and even uncover some dirty secrets about his hero. The story remains fresh through the evolving mystery and seeing how Switcheroo’s latest power will come into play in each chapter, especially as he begins to doubt Vin Valor’s motives and sympathize with those labeled villains. The interplay between the text and the black-and-white comics panels is seamless. Switcheroo’s thoughtful internal monologues and the expressively drawn eyes and costumes demonstrate a deep love and care for this superpowered universe and its denizens. True to serialized superheroics, the next installment is teased at the end. Switcheroo has paper-white skin and black hair; Tana’s skin is shaded, and she has Afro-textured hair.

A wannabe superhero faces multiple mysteries and tests in this engaging series opener.