MEGA MOUSE

A diminutive costumed superhero and friends defend the town of MegaCityVille from the thoroughly irritating Mosquito Man in this French import, one of a quartet.

Mega Mouse may be small, but she’s “very, very, very strong.” This comes in handy when Mosquito Man—hardly more than a dot in the simple cartoon illustrations but thrillingly introduced here and also in three co-published companions as “the Big Wicked Mosquito thirsty for blood”—blows up a bridge in front of a bus full of children squired by Mega Pig. “Thank you, Mega Mouse!” says the portly paladin after a dramatic save. “No problem, Mega Pig,” says she. “We’re still on for tonight?” Along with being miscast as male, the resilient Mosquito Man is likewise crushed, but flies off vowing revenge, after splattering Mega Pig with ketchup, being driven away by Mega Wolf after ambushing Little Red Riding Hood, and stranding Tom Thumb on the moon for Mega Bunny to rescue. Each of the four superheroes comes with a distinctive character and lifestyle (Mega Wolf enjoys flexing in front of the mirror and “pleasing the chicks”—literally), and each has a foible that is revealed at the end with an entreaty to readers to keep it quiet: Mega Bunny needs a night light, for instance, and Mega Pig likes to spoon jam straight out of the jar. Sacre bleu!

Check that tongue is firmly in cheek before following these dedicated do-gooders into battle against a truly “repellant” foe.