Powers in Action (Family Comic Friday)

Hiya Folks- I've been cleaning out my Google Docs and I found this unpublished classic review from when I was a writer for Outrightgeekery.com. Other than grammar, I've not made any updates to when I wrote this in 2019.

Enjoy!

If you are a kid and you love comics, have you ever made your own comic book? What if the comic book you made when you were young went on to become a full-fledged publication when you grew up? That’s exactly what happened with this week’s Family Comic Friday Selection, Powers in Action, Volume 1!

Powers in Action, Volume 1: The Hero Squadron!

Story and Art by Art Baltazar
Published by Action Lab Entertainment
Pages: 128
Retail Price: $9.99

Art Baltazar is the co-creator of a number of all-ages favorites such as Tiny Titans, Itty-Bitty Hellboy and Aw Yeah! Hasbro Action Figure Jam! If you are a regular reader of my blog, you’ll know that I am a huge fan of Baltazar and his cohort, Franco! When in high school, Baltazar practiced developing his skills as a comic book artist and writer by developing his own comic book. 

Before the ideas arrived at Action Lab, Baltazar’s book was called ‘Images of Art’. But aside from the name change to Powers In Action, the overall premise for Baltazar’s series has stayed the same. 

New heroes Lynx and his sister/sidekick Ocelot have joined the superhero team, the Hero Squadron. It’s made up of the best and mightiest protectors of Crystal City. Unfortunately, one of the members of the Hero Squadron doesn’t like cats and Lynx doesn’t take to being second fiddle. But before the dust can settle between supposed allies, the citywide alarm system goes off, alerting the team to an attack by the fiendish Static Burn!

As of press time, I was only able to review the first issue that makes up chapter one of this book. The issue I read had a couple of pages that showed off Art Baltazar’s original artwork from 1986 that inspired this modern day comic. I hope that the collected edition will also include a section on how to make your own comic as well as other 80s artwork from Art!

The suggested age range for Powers In Action is for readers aged 9-12. However I didn’t really see anything objectionable in this other than fighting between teammates and later a battle with Static Burn and his robot army. I’ve read a lot of books by Baltazar and he’s always been kid friendly. So, those aged 6-8 might be able to enjoy this as well.

At one point in time or another, kids who love superheroes and comics will try to create their own comic book! Powers In Action is proof that those childhood fantasies can one day become a reality. Hopefully, this book will be an inspiration to the next generation of comic book artists and writers! But you’ll have to get them this book in order for that to happen!

Above all, if you do get this book for the aspiring comic book creator in your life, be sure to buy them some paper and pencils, pens and markers in order to make their superhero dreams come true!

Powers In Action, Volume 1: The Hero Squadron debuts in paperback on March 12, 2019. Issues 1-4 of this series can be found at your favorite local comic book store and certain digital platforms.

Issue #1 Ratings:

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.