Fiction - General & Miscellaneous

SuperHero ABC

Name: SuperHero ABC
Author: Bob McLeod
ISBN: 9781435117600

by Bob McLeod

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Overview

Silly and zany, and armed with the most unusual skills, these heroes are out to save the world-one letter at a time! bubble-Man blows big bubbles at bullies, and laughing lass laughs at lawbreakers! together, these one-of-a-kind defenders represent the ABC's in a way never seen before.

Renowned comic-book illustrator bob mcleod has created a full cast of humorous and delightful characters, sure to please anyone in need of a hero to save the day.

Humorous SuperHeroes such as Goo Girl and The Volcano represent the letters of the alphabet from A to Z.

About the Author, Bob McLeod

Bob Mcleod is a comic-book illustrator who has worked on such projects as Spider-Man, Superman, and The Phantom. SuperHero ABC is his first children’s book. he lives with his wife, Lucy; their three children, Molly, Jeff, and Andy; and their dog, Penny, in Pennsylvania.

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Editorials

Publishers Weekly

McLeod translates his adult comic book renderings for the preschool crowd in this cleverly conceived ABC. Drawn in vivid bright colors that capture the eye, his heroes practically leap from the pages. He represents each letter of the alphabet with an original superhero who saves the day by committing heroic acts that begin with-what else?-that very letter (e.g., "Astro-Man is Always Alert for An Alien Attack"). One character is more inventive than the next, from the "Quiet Knight [who] Keeps Kindergarten Kids safe" to the superhero Volcano (sporting a V on his chest and V-patterned shorts; he "Vomits on Villains"). McLeod is not only a master at creating entertaining figures, but also at introducing youngsters to vocabulary words that go beyond the average spelling list, and with phrases ideal for introducing alliteration ("Water-Woman Weaves below the Watery Waves"). In a single bound, McLeod is sure to gain a new generation of comic book fans-and may well entertain his lifelong followers as they introduce their offspring to this clever primer. Ages 3-6. (Feb.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature

The alphabet springs into life as these animated action heroes bound through the oversize pages. Astro-Man is always alert for an alien attack. Although he is awesome, he does have asthma. Danger Man does daring deeds every day, including dueling with dragons. Goo Girl grins and giggles with glee as she shoots great gobs of goo at gangsters. Power Pup protects pets from the pound. Poodles, parrots, and Persian cats think he's purrrfect. Youngsters will love Upside-Down Man. He wears his uniform under his underwear. To some people this is unlawful, unusual, and upsetting. Children may be more upset with Volcano Man, however. He vomits on villains. Very gross. The Zinger zanily zigzags through the zero zone as the book zooms to a close. A great romp through the alphabet featuring colorful, action-filled scenes in a comic book style. An amusing choice for older kids who feel they have outgrown alphabet books. 2006, HarperCollins, and Ages 6 to 10.
—Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-An alphabet's worth of superheroes, from Astro-Man to the Zinger. There's strong appeal here for the youngest comic-book fans, with many doses of humor along the way. Each figure has special powers, of course, which readers learn about through alliterative captions and action-packed illustrations. Danger Man, for instance "Does Daring Deeds Every Day." A spread shows how "He Duels with Dragons" against a futuristic landscape filled with bright greens, reds, and pinks. The added information that "He Doesn't Have a Dog!" contributes to the lighthearted tone while extending the alliteration, which effectively emphasizes letter sounds. Many of the characters possess traditionally heroic powers, like Ms. Incredible's ability to become "Invisible In an Instant." Others are sillier, such Laughing Lass and Upside Down Man (who "wears his Uniform Under His Underwear"), while the Odor Officer and the Volcano (he "Vomits on Villains") add just the right touch of grossness. There are several females in the bunch, along with one child (Sky-Boy), one animal (Power Pup), and two teens (The Tiny Teen and Tony Terrific, who are Twins). The cartoon illustrations show the figures in action with bold colors, word balloons, and block letters in an attractive comic-book style. Imaginative readers might be inspired to imagine their own alphabetical creations to add to the ranks of Goo Girl, Huge Man, and Multiplying Mike.-Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Veteran comic-book artist McLeod presents an alphabetical gallery of newly minted superheroes-from Astro-Man, who is "Always Alert for An Alien Attack" to the Zinger, Zanily Zigzagging through the Zero Zone. A can-do crew of hunky men and buxom women (plus the occasional animal or alien) properly decked out in loudly colored, form-fitting spandex, these crime-fighters bring a range of outrageous abilities to their work. Bubble Man, for instance, "Blows Big Bubbles at Bullies," while Rain Man "Rains on Random Robbers," Goo Girl "shoots Great Gobs of [green] Goo at Gangsters," and, grossest of all, Volcano Man-well, let's not go there. This frothy mix of laughs, giggles and expertly drawn, melodramatically posed Good Guys zeroes in on its target audience with superhuman accuracy and action. (Picture book. 5-8)