The G-Man Super Journal

January 1, 2015

Gr 4-7-This volume takes a step back in time to provide the origin story to three previously published volumes of G-Man adventures. Michael G spends his days engaged in the drudgery of school, getting picked on by his older brother, and being targeted for punishment by a teacher somewhat inexplicably out to get him. Meanwhile, it seems like every day another kid in his class comes in with a new superhero identity and accompanying powers. Michael G is left wondering when it's going to be his turn. When he finally unlocks the secret of a magic blanket at home, he assumes the identity of G-Man and joins his friends in superhero status. With abundant dry humor and zinging one-liners, this story doubles as a metanarrative about superhero comics, with several layers of depth. While there is some relatively sophisticated language and quips, younger readers will still be able to access the story, which is written in a diary format, and illustrated with sharp drawings. Many readers will identify with G-Man's motivations: he isn't looking to get into the superhero business to save the world or anything, he just wants to be cool and have fun.-Jenna Lanterman, formerly at The Calhoun School and Mary McDowell Friends School, New York City

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2014
Spun off from Giarrusso's G-Man comics series, a wannabe superhero's journal assignment records epic triumphs along with a catalog of middle-grade woes.Jumping late aboard the Wimpy Kid bandwagon, the author couches young Michael G's narrative in a mix of "handlettered" text and line-drawn cartoons with punch lines in the dialogue balloons. All on ruled paper, natch. Also predictable are Michael's exaggerated but drearily familiar battles with a games-obsessed older brother, clueless parents who reflexively blame him for everything whether he's culpable or not, a repellent rich kid at school, and a particularly loathsome teacher who not only assigns detentions for trumped-up reasons, but laughs in his face when he's (falsely) accused of cheating on a test. Michael's superhero ambition isn't that odd, as this is set in a world well-stocked with costumed crime fighters-seven in his own class-and supervillains. Not only does he ultimately achieve said dream, by cutting a cape from what turns out to be a magic blanket, but he also cleverly sets up his hateful teacher for a fall and even joins his superfriends to take on mind-altering villain/cyborg Mister Mental. Formulaic, built on well-worn tropes and replete with cheap jabs at grown-ups-destined, in other words, to be an easy sell. (afterword) (Graphic/fantasy hybrid. 9-11)

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