Avengers: Infinity War

Considered the greatest superhero crossover event in cinematic history, the mad Titan Thanos finally makes his much heralded arrival into the Marvel Universe.

Thanos has a theory that over-population of the universe will result in the destruction of all life in the cosmos. He's tried in the past to wipe out 50% of the population of all inhabited planets, but he and his army of murderers are getting the job fast enough. Thus, in order to get the job done quicker, Thanos sets his sights on acquiring all six of the Infinity stones. 

Thanos already has two of the stones, making him the most powerful being ever. Now it's up to the combined forces of Avengers, Guadians of the Galaxy, a Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man and Wakanda's finest to stop the villain from using his specially made gauntlet to it's fullest potential and destroying half of all life in existence with a mere snap of his fingers.

I'm not going any further with the synopsis of the film. It's too early in the movie's release and people are having fits about spoilers. But I don't know what's worst- those who want a complete media blackout of info about Infinity War or the reactions of those who have seen the film.

Apparently, there's been episodes of mass crying fits and need for comfort and consolation. Some people have taken to Twitter claiming to have become severely depressed from watching the movie. I was not one of those people. Though I will say that I am shocked that Disney actually let Marvel pull off what they did.

Avengers: Infinity War is both superior and grossly lacking to the previous Marvel Cinematic entry Black Panther. In terms of a story with compelling drama, brains, and passion, then Black Panther is the victor. But as both a special effects marvel and laugh riot, then Infinity War wins. It also has a lot of surprises, but you'll have to watch it for yourself to catch them all. But again, I don't want to spoil anything. 

A fun 2.5 hours of superhero fighting and feuding. Not the greatest Marvel movie ever made but at least it ain't no Thor: Dark World either.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Vinegar Teeth #1

Story by Damon Gentry and Troy Nixey
Art and Letters also by Troy Nixey
Colors by Guy Major
Published by Dark Horse

When Brick City’s best detective, Artie Buckle, is forced to partner with an inter-dimensional being named Vinegar Teeth, it looks like a match made in Hell. However, being paired with a creature with uncanny abilities and a scariness factor set to eleven might just have it’s advantages- like taking a long nap during surveillance. Things are looking up for this unlikely partnership, which will be put to the ultimate test as Brick City appears to be infested by a horde of possessed townsfolk!

Vinegar Teeth is an odd mix of Eric Powell’s The Goon, HP Lovecraft’s Cthulu, and Will Eisner’s The Spirit. A buddy cop adventure at heart, this book is extremely spastic. The story goes all over the place with super fast explosions of dialogue. If Damon Gentry and Troy Nixey weren’t using the screwball comedies of the 1940s as inspiration for the way Buckle spouts off gibberish like a machine gun with a stuck trigger, I would be very surprised. Things are so chaotic, I actually had to re-read several pages more than once to crack the code to what the main character is trying to say.

Troy Nixey’s artwork is very avante garde here like Batman 100’s Paul Pope. That’s not a bad thing as I like Pope’s pre-World War II German influenced art style. Troy Nixon’s imitation of it works here, especially since nothing in Brick City is as it seems. Having a bloated monster, with some seriously sour BO and tentacles are long as telephone poles, be the new hero of Brick City is about as bizarre as you can get.

I really have no idea where this new series from Dark Horse Comics is going to go. It’s very strange and kinda silly. I generally have a rule with TV shows that I also apply to new comic book series- never end at just one! Since the first episode or issue is sorta like the pilot, there’s kinks to be worked out. Some of these rough spots will probably disappear in the second helping. Plus, it’s really hard to establish a complex storyline with all new characters in just 24-pages.

I’m not completely sold with Vinegar Teeth just yet. But I am willing to give it another try before I hold final judgement.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

This review was originally published January 22, 2018 on Outrightgeekery.com.

Dark Fang Volume 1: Earth Calling

Story: Miles Gunter

Art / Cover: Kelsey Shannon
Published: May 9, 2018
Age Rating: Mature 

A product of the true Count Dracula, Valla is a reluctant vampire. To prevent succumbing to her blood lust, Valla decides to reside in the deepest depths of the ocean where she partakes of some of the freshest sushi on planet earth. A man eater, Valla befriends the other predator of the sea- the shark. 

For decades, her life is far from perfect, but it is sustainable. However, one day, a mysterious black entity invades Valla's sanctuary, killing her shark friends. Enraged, Valla heads to the surface, vowing revenge of those who destroyed her ecosystem.

The vampire discovers that over a century has passed. The black death was the result of an oil spill. But oil is a big money business. To destroy the industry will cost money! What can a alluring vampire do to raise the funds to become a feared eco-terrorist?

The answer will surprise and seduce you!

This Image series by Miles Gunter and Kelsey Shannon (Scooby Apocalypse) was great. It takes the classic vampire trope and updates it for the technology heavy 21st century. 

Bastard Samurai's Mile Gunter adds ecology to the story. But he while he makes the issue thought provoking, Gunter does a great job not making it preachy. Plus the insane twists he adds to the lobbyists funding the oil industry and manipulating the governments of the world are brilliant! I'm hooked on this series! It's like Image got it's fangs in me and won't let go!

A horror story that entices with stunning artwork and unimaginable creativity; this is a series not to be missed when it drops in stores later next month!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Dark Fang, Volume 1: Earth Calling debuts in stores and digital media on May 9, 2018. 

Lumberjanes #49 (Family Comic Friday)

Welcome to Family Comic Friday. This weekly column highlights comics and graphic novels that can be enjoyed by the whole family. It's my hope that the books featured not only opens the young readers in your life up to the world of comic books but the joy of reading as well.

This week is all about girl power as we’ll be reviewing the latest issue of Boom! Studios’ award winning series Lumberjanes! Then in our penultimate preview of the 2018 Free Comic Book Day releases, we check out the anthology one-shot Comic Friends Forever, featuring creators such as Hope Larson and Shannon Hale.

Let's get started with my review of …

Lumberjanes #49

Written by Shannon Waters, Kat Leyh

Art by Dozerdraws

Published by Boom! Studios

Lumberjanes is the title nobody thought would or could ever get made. The series was created by the team of Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Brooklyn A. Allen and Noelle Stevenson. These women comic creators saw a lack of material for girls aged 10-13 on the market- especially made by women.

Working with the publisher Boom!, this creative team was able to book an 8 issue miniseries and turn it into a global phenomenon that next month will celebrate it's historic 50th issue!

Lumberjanes follows a group of 5 campers who are spending their summer at Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet's Camp for Hardcore Lady Types summer camp. Using their unique talents and endless spirit of adventure, the girls notice some strange things going on in the nearby woods. Weird stuff, like three-eyed foxes and an old woman who transforms into a bear.

Over the past 48 issues, the secret behind these supernatural occurrences has been building up to the 50th mega issue that promises to reveal something.

Now you might be asking why am I reviewing a book that promises to let several cats out of the bag in the very near future. Well, for one thing, this issue reads like a very good starting point. The entire camp is stuck inside the mess hall thanks to a monsoon outdoors. Having all of the main and supporting characters in one place offers new readers a chance to really explore the various personalities that occupy the camps.

A couple of the campers discover a hidden tunnel that runs under the camp. While yes it adds to the overall mysteries surrounding the camp itself, a new reader doesn’t have to have read the previous 48 issues of this series to understand just what is going on. Sure, it helps. But it’s not required.

I want to talk a minute about the artwork and that’s going to lead into a controversial aspect of the comic book. The book is illustrated by German artist Dozerdraws. The artist gives amazing life to each and every character in this book. But there was something about one of the Lumberjanes named Jo that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. So, I did a little research into the character.

Jo is a transgender girl. The child of a gay married couple, Jo a male transitioning to a girl. In no way am I condemning the character or the book. I think Lumberjanes is a good series for children, especially girls. But I add this information because not all parents and guardians may feel that the subject matter of sexuality and gender is inappropriate for their child.

One reason I started doing Family Comic Friday almost a decade ago is one day I was at a comic book store and a frustrated mom went up to the clerk. With a copy of Hellblazer in her hand, she asked if it was appropriate for her 8-year old son. The clerk responded with two thumbs up. ‘Hellz yeah!’, he crooned.

It was at this point I realized that some parents have no idea what comics are age appropriate for their kids, much less nieces, nephews and grandkids. So when I review a comic, I base my score on storytelling, art and editing- not content. But I do feel that I need to let all parties involved know of anything that might be considered controversial or even a little too grown up for the recommended age group. Ultimately, when it comes to letting a child read any book I review, it’s ultimately up to the parent or grown-up to decide. But perhaps, by my reviewing of this series, I might encourage some families to begin a more open dialogue on gender and sexuality.

In terms of my rating, I give Lumberjanes high marks. The storytelling was flawless, though I wish that some of the characters names were given earlier on. In terms of the artwork, it was really good. So good, that I thought one of the characters was really a boy and I was right! I give Dozerdraws high praise for not trying to make Jo look any different than they did. To do so would have hidden Jo’s true persona and I think that in a nutshell is what Lumberjanes is all about- being true to yourself!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Lumberjanes #49 was released in print and digital media on April 25, 2018.

Comic Friends Forever

Written and Illustrated by Hope Larson, Ben Hatke, Shannon Hale, LeUyen Pham

Cover by Vera Brosgol

Rated: All-Ages

Release Date: May 5, 2018

Comics friends forever! First Second presents an amazing Free Comic Book Day anthology that celebrates kids comics, girl power, and the amazing work of creators Vera Brosgol, Hope Larson, Charise Mericle Harper, Ben Hatke, and Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham. Don't miss out on this comic filled with the power of friendship that's great for every kid reader in your store.

This review was published concurrently on Outrightgeekery.com.

Defenders of the Earth #4

Mandrake the Magician is the focus of this, the final issue of Defenders of the Earth. 

When Mandrake attempts to train his apprentice Kshin, the mage accidentally frees a forgotten adversary. Meanwhile, Rick Gordon and Jedda go on a date, only to run afoul of Ming the Merciless' newest band of ice warriors. 

Everything is set-up for a climatic battle in issue #5. There's even a blurb for a 'To Be Continued' in the very last panel. Yet, a fifth issue was never to be. 

The reason for the sudden cancellation is both very clear and also a bit of a mystery. The quality of the stories had slumped after a nearly flawless first issue written by Stan Lee. The cartoon in which this comic was based was sporadically scheduled on TV at best! Plus, some of the major characters were mostly forgotten. 

Yet, like I said, this issue promised an issue #5. Plus, on the back cover, there's an ad for fans to subscribe to this series. It just doesn't add up. Unfortunately it was a trend for Star Comics titles to just up and disappear. 

No matter how successful the titles might have been, Marvel never really could get retailers to commit to ordering titles from the all-ages imprint. Plus, somebody at Marvel never could manage to snag long-lasting licenses. (Other examples of this issue were then flops/ now cult hits Animax, Silverhawks and Chuck Norris Karate Kommandos. 

A good story that for one reason or another will never be resolved. I am so glad I got to find these issues for cheap at a Con. A great blast from my past. It was fun while it lasted.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Defenders of the Earth #3

The Phantom and his daughter Jedda return to Africa to follow-up on reports of massive snow storms in and around his kingdom. There he is greeted by his estranged brother. Angered by being passed up as the next Phantom, the brother has discovered a helmet of demonic power that gives him mastery over the elements. Will the Phantom renounce his title of the 'Ghost Who Walks' in order to save his people?

Finally, The Phantom gets a chance to shine in this issue that delves somewhat into his origin and history. But the writers have given the Phantom so many powers that he never had in the comics, including a brother. So, is this really the Phantom from the Sunday Comics?

I liked that Ming the Merciless wasn't the main villain in this issue. I think, had it been given a longer chance in publication, if Ming was the only baddie, it would have got boring quick. Obviously, as Ming seems to be only villain mentioned in a lot of the research I have done on this franchise, boring plots was just another factor that caused this series to not have a very long shelf life. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Defenders of the Earth #2

This second issue of Defenders of the Earth has the newly formed team creating a secret base. Meanwhile, Ming the Merciless has the same idea, choosing the North Pole as the locale of his operations on earth. 

Power Pack's Michael Higgins takes over storytelling from Stan Lee. It's like selecting a bench-warming roller blade enthusiast to replace Wayne Gretzky. There's just some mighty shoes to get filled here. 

One issue I have with Higgins isn't so much his talent, but his writing style. I think he must have been from the U.K. because the Defenders of the Earth are now starting to spout little bits of slang every once in a while and it's rather odd British bits of dialogue that's being thrown about. Last issue, Stan Lee had everybody sounding like a 1980s New Yorker. Now everyone sounds like they're from London's East End. It's rather an disjointed transition. 

Once again, the Phantom is grossly underused. He appears in the first act. But it's not until the third and final part of this story does he finally talk as well as spring into action. This issue is more about Mandrake and his bodyguard Lothar than anyone else. It's not so much a bad thing as poor use of all of your available characters. 

I think I am starting to see some cracks in this franchise's foundation leading to why both the comic book and TV series were quickly cancelled.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Defenders of the Earth #1

Defenders of the Earth- it was the crossover I never thought possible. I had grown up reading the adventures of Flash Gordon, The Phantom and Mandrake the Magician. But I wasn't aware that those heroes knew each other.  

Then in 1985, Marvel Comics teamed with King Features Syndicate to create a 65-episode cartoon that teamed these legends together again for the first time as the Defenders of the Earth. The cartoon wasn't easy to find in my area of the country. But the occasional Saturday or Sunday that I was able to watch it, I was hooked. 

I never did purchase the action figures, mostly because Galoob's bulky sculpts just didn't appeal to me. But I really loved the comic book! Published by Marvel's Star Comics imprint, the series was a continuation of the series. 

This first issue was written by Stan the Man. It's entirely based on the pilot episode. In it, Ming the Merciless has kidnapped Flash Gordon's wife Dale and son Rick. Ming sends some of his robot sentries to capture Flash, who has sought refuge in the mansion home of renowned magician Mandrake. Along with his bodyguard Lothar and his son LJ and young apprentice Kshin, Mandrake agrees to help Flash recover his family. 

To do this, the heroes need a master tracker. So, they go to deepest, darkest Africa where they recruit the Phantom and his daughter Jedda to assist them in locating Ming's base on the planet Mongo. 

Needless to say, the heroes find Ming and manage to destroy his fortress. But the rescue of Dale and Rick takes a dark turn that I wasn't expecting, especially for kids' cartoons in the mid-80s. But the ending sets everything up for Flash, Mandrake, Lothar, the Phantom and their progeny to form the Defenders of the Earth as Ming now has his eyes set on conquering our planet for his newest throne world.

This was an enjoyable blast from the past. Having Stan Lee as writer for the first issue was a pleasant surprise. The artwork by Alex Suviuk was beautiful and the story itself was very good. 

The Phantom seems a bit of an afterthought though. He's not really needed in the story. I'm wondering if King Features demanded that the Phantom be added to the team as by 1985, his comic strip was the only one of the three characters in high rotation nationwide. Compared to Mandrake and Lothar, you must admit that the Phantom has better name recognition. Still, the purple clad hero feels more like an bit player in this book instead of star player that he really was.

Worth Consuming! 

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Scooby-Doo! Where Are You #92 (Family Comic Friday)

Welcome to another edition of Family Comic Friday. This week's edition is for those of you who love mystery mixed with a scare or two. First we look at DC's latest issue of Scooby-Doo! Where Are You? Then we'll continue our look at the 2018 Free Comic Book Day offerings with a preview of Howard Lovecraft: Big Book of Summer Fun, based on the trilogy of graphic novels from Arcana Studios.

So let's get started first with my review of 

Scooby-Doo! Where are You? #92
Writers: Ivan Cohen, Scott Peterson, Frank Strom
Artists: Tim Levins, Dan Davis, Scott Neely 
Cover by: Walter Carzon, Horacio Ottolini
Published by DC Comics

Not a hoax! Not a dream! Not an imaginary story!

When a collection of prized masks are stolen at a mystery lover's convention, the Mystery Inc. gang are on the hunt! But as themselves, the detectives are swamped by their fans. So, the team decides to pull a switcheroo and go cosplaying as each other!

Daphne goes as Velma! Shaggy wears the ascot as only Fred can! And Scooby goes as himself!

The cover along is what sold me on this issue. They say not to judge a book by it's cover. They- whom ever they are could not be any more wrong! Featuring a blast from the classic Scooby-Doo past, this was a fun story to start out the book.

The issue had 3 stories total. The middle tale was a play on Edgar Allen Poe's The Raven with Shaggy being terrorized by a mouthy bird! The beginning and ending narrator which was Shaggy as a cupid didn't make sense to me as there wasn't a love interest in this story. But the overall yarn was funny. The final story involves the gang vacationing on a tropical island that is haunted by the ghost of a tribal leader. It was another neat adventure that does a pretty decent job being fresh while classic at the same time.

Those of you who read my blog regularly know that I am a huge fan of the sister title Scooby-Doo Team-Up. I felt it was about time that I highlighted this comic from DC and like I mentioned earlier, the cover really helped me with my selection this week. 

I solved the mystery in both of the bookend stories. I like that DC frames the stories this way as to engage readers. The clues are there- you just have to look for them. The Raven parody didn't have a mystery to solve but it did give me some laughs. 

The team at DC does an excellent job with their all-ages books. Unfortunately, I don't think they get as much love as they deserve. Scoody-Doo! Where Are You? is a fun way to gets a few chills without being scared. Though some of the monsters represented in this series can be a little scary for those under the age of 6.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Scooby-Doo! Where Are You? #92 debuted in stores and digital platforms on April 11, 2018 and is published monthly.

Howard Lovecraft Big Book of Summer Fun FCBD 2018 #1
Published by Arcana Studio
Date: May 5th, 2018
SRP: FREE
Rated: All Ages

Howard Lovecraft stars in an all-new adventure with the events leading up to the animated feature film Howard Lovecraft & The Kingdom of Madness starring Christopher Plummer, Mark Hamill, and Jeffrey Combs. The book also includes a new story from The Steam Engines of Oz that lead up to the events before the animated feature film starring Ron Perlman, William Shatner, and Juliane Hough! And, being a big book of summer fun, there's also games, puzzles, contests, augmented reality, and animation tips from the pros!

Action Comics #1000

Action Comics #1000

Writers: Paul Dini, Dan Jurgens, Brian Michael Bendis,   et al
Artists: Curt Swan, John Romita Jr., Joshua Middleton, et al

Published by DC Comics

Normally when i review a comic book for Outrightgeekery, I am required to post who the artists and writers for a book are. But if I was to list all of the talent in this book, it would take up the entire review!

The historic Action Comics #1000 was a star-studded event with so many big names it rivals most awards ceremonies. And that’s just the talent! This issue marks the 80th anniversary of the debut of Superman. As a result just about every major player to have ever graced the pages of Action Comics– Batman, Lois Lane, Luthor, and some super-duper guests just too good to mention without spoiling the surprise!

One of the biggest surprises I that it is perfectly okay to mention is that this issue brings about the debut of Brian Michael Bendis into the DC Universe. The final story titled ‘The Truth’ acts as an opening act for the 6-issue The Man of Steelminiseries set to change the Superman mythos later this summer!

Last month DC announced that all of the Superman Family titles including Super Sons and Supergirl were being cancelled to make room for the arrival of Bendis. I was quite concerned that Superman’s cousin was going to wiped from existence AGAIN! But the Maid of Might plays a vital role in the Bendis penned finale. Hopefully, this means Kara Danvers will be playing a big role in the plans Bendis has for Superman.

Action #1000 is an 80-page giant, retailing for $7.99. Most of the time, I hear nothing but complaints for the price with these type of specials. That hasn’t been the case here! I’ve heard nothing but good things in anticipation for this anniversary issue and I felt the same way reading this. Well, I did have one complaint- I didn’t want this amazing tribute to the Man of Steel to end!

Surely this issue is going to sell out. Of course, there will be a second and probably a third print! But if you want to take advantage of getting a first edition, you have better act fast- like faster than a speeding bullet fast! But once you read this amazing issue, you’ll be leaping over tall buildings in a single bound jump for joy!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9.5 out of 10 stars.

Just Imagine... Stan Lee Creating The DC Universe Omnibus

Right around 2001, this story took the comic book industry by storm.  Career Marvelite, Stan Lee was going over to DC Comics to create his take on Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Justice League of America!

I wasn't back into comics just yet. But even when I heard this story, I thought it was both awesome and strange. Turns out I wasn't the only one as some of DC's most legendary talents including Joe Kubert, Jim Lee, and Dan Jurgens thought that this was a bizarre pairing too. But every single one of these guys heartily said yes to being a part of this historic project. 

Stan Lee doesn't seek to fix the DC icons. No, he merely gets a chance to create them in the Marvel way he established in the 1960s. Thus, Stan would give his ideas to his artists, they would draw out the characters based on Stan's tutelage and then the Living Legend would fill in all the text bubbles and captions himself. 

The overall premise of this storyline was that the mystic tree of life Yggdrasil was threatened by a demonic menace lead by Reverend Dominic Darrk. So, the tree used it's green hued life force to craft a team of heroes to defend the earth. It would be up to these unlikely heroes to rise against growing threat in an entity known as Crisis...

This book is divided into 2 parts. The classic characters of Batman, Green Lantern and the Flash make up the first half with Robin, Shazam, and the Sandman starring in act two. I preferred the second act of characters a lot more than Stan's take on the founding members of his JLA. Their origins were just too similar to how Marvel legends such as Spider-Man, Thor, and Silver Surfer were laid out by Stan the Man in the early 60s. 

But the second string of heroes such as Aquaman and Catwoman were so different and unique to just about anything on the market. I really hate that Shazam was pretty much a one-and-done thing because that new take on the character was really that good! I want to see this as a live-action series on Syfy! 

My least favorite revamp was Superman. Maybe it's because I am biased as the Man of Steel is my all-time favorite character (though Captain America could reclaim that title at any moment...) But this version of Superman was too much of a butt-head instead of inspiration and he was made way too weak. 

Okay, weakness is a big flaw in most of these characters. DC's characters are known to be sources of limitless power and resolve. The Marvel characters fathered by Stan Lee had weaknesses to which endured to comic book readers. But Stan's DC Universe seems to have chronic fatigue syndrome. 

While I have picked up a couple of Just Imagine issues in my travels through the bargain bins of America, this miniseries wasn't really on my radar. But with Ollie's massive DC blowout, I found this massive 700 page plus edition for only $13 and I could not pass it up!

It was a good read both for entertainment and historical purposes. But it's not the greatest thing from either DC Comics or Stan Lee that I have ever read. The jury is still out on whether I will keep this omnibus or not. It takes up a lot of real estate. However, should you ever come across this collection like I did for such a dramatic discount- do not pass it up! It will keep you entertained for hours.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Team Taekwondo Book 1: Ara's Rocky Road to White Belt (Family Comic Friday)

Welcome to another edition of Family Comic Friday. We continue our preview of family friendly comics coming out for this year's Free Comic Book Day event on May 5th. But first, we'll learn a little bit of the martial art of Taekwondo as we review ATA International's new line of graphic novels for young reader Team Taekwondo. 

We've got a lot to cover today, so let's get started...

Team Taekwondo Book 1: Ara's Rocky Road to White Belt

Written by Master Taekwon Lee, Jeffrey Nodelman
Art by Ethen Beavers

Published by Rodale Kids

Poor little Ara. The young turtle is awfully shy and is often overshadowed by the achievements of his older brothers. For Ara, another successful day is finding a new rock for his collection. His just needs a little confidence and he might just get it thanks to a chance encounter.

One day while hunting rocks, Ara goes further than he's ever traveled before. It's here that Ara meets a young tiger named Baeoh. Baeoh is practicing his taekwondo kicks and could use a spotter for the special move of breaking a board with his hands. 

After a successful practice with Ara, Baeoh invites the turtle to follow him to his master's dojo. There, Ara is introduced to the martial art and taught principles of honor, respect and positive self confidence. When the class is over, Ara is invited to return for another class. At the end of that class, Ara could earn a white belt if he can break a board with his hands!

Will Ara accept the challenge? Is he strong enough to break that board? Or will our shy turtle friend seek solace in his comfy shell?

This was a great book for all varieties of young readers. Fans of funny animals, manga and anime will delight in this book. It's also a great introduction to the art of taekwondo.

Parents, if you are afraid that this book will influence your child to beat up people, relax! Yes, the characters in the book practice some sweet flying kicks and steel-handed chops. But the focus of this book is taekwondo's practices of discipline and positivism. 

This book was published by Rodale Books in cooperation with ATA International. ATA International is a North American organization dedication to the study and practice of taekwondo. They have charters for over 1500 individually owned and operated schools and clubs nationwide.

The Team Taekwondo series is written by Master Taekwon Lee, a sixth degree black belt and master instructor along with a fellow practitioner of taekwondo, Jeffery Nodelman. Nodelman has written numerous children's books such as Disney's Doug Chronicles. You can tell who wrote what sections. Master Lee obviously had a hand in the parts of this story where Ara is taught about taekwondo whereas Nodelman designed the scenes where Ara and his father talk about commitment and courage. 

Tackling the artwork for this series is Samurai Jack's Ethen Beavers. That's a good choice for Team Taekwondo as Beavers has extensive experience drawing scenes of martial arts and oriental design thanks to his work on the Cartoon Network property. He creates an adorable line-up of species from the animal kingdom and world of myth to occupy the team.

My only issue was with the coloring at the back of the book. There's a great section at the end that explains the different types of belts that are achieved from practicing taekwondo. One level is supposed to be brown but it really looks black instead. The book doesn't mention that the color is supposed to be brown until later on. Thus I couldn't understand why one student who had a red belt was at a higher belt level than the taekwondo master who had a black belt. 

I don't know if this is Ethen Beavers' fault or the editors. But that one section doesn't translate very well. It's too late to correct in Book 2, which has already been published earlier this year. But if the introduction to taekwondo section is added at the end of all of the books, hopefully the editors will correct this error before the release of Book 3. The third volume of Team Taekwondo is scheduled for release sometime in 2019.

If you find that the young reader in your life is inspired to learn more about taekwondo, look no further than the back page. There you can find a link to redeem a free starter class at an ATA International center nearest you (some restrictions do apply.) 

Recommended for readers aged 6-10, this book might be what sparks a life-long relationship with taekwondo and other martial arts with the young reader in your life. 

Team Taekwondo Book 1: Ara's Rocky Road to White Belt can be found at a variety of online booksellers including Amazon and even your local library now!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Sparks #1 FCBD 2018
Written by Ian Boothby
Art by Nina Matsumoto

August is a brilliant inventor who is afraid of the outside. Charlie is a crack pilot who isn't afraid of anything. Together these pals save lives every day. They also happen to be cats who pilot a powerful, mechanical dog suit! Always eager to leap into danger, this feline duo have their work cut out for them as they try to thwart Princess, an evil alien bent on enslaving mankind. Don't let the fact that Princess looks like a cute, diaper-wearing baby fool you. She's clever, determined, and totally ruthless. So when Princess and the browbeaten fools she calls servants enact a brilliant and dastardly plan to conquer Earth, August and Charlie pull out all the stops to save the day.
Rated: All-Ages.
SRP: FREE
Release Date: May 5, 2018