In this suspenseful, often humorous graphic novel, Dan Santat (Oh No! Or How My Science Project Destroyed the World) portrays a superhero running out of steam who decides to hold auditions for a sidekick. His dog Roscoe (aka Metal Mutt!) and Fluffy the hamster believe they're up for the roles, and set out to prove it to Captain Amazing--otherwise known as Harry, their owner. As Roscoe puts it, "Most superheroes dress like animals anyway. He'll just think I'm wearing a fancy dog outfit." When Dr. Archibald Havoc is released on parole and into the streets of Metro City, they all have their work cut out for them. A new addition to the clan, a chameleon that Harry names Shifty, tags along with Fluffy, and they both nearly become dinner to a group of tomcats. Manny (aka "The Claw"), feline former sidekick to Captain Amazing, shows up to set them free, and Fluffy hatches a plan to bring Manny back into the fold.
Santat brilliantly divvies up the pages into panels that speed up and slow down the action like a well-choreographed musical. Warm earth-toned colors, square-jawed heroes and wide-eyed animals call to mind early Hanna-Barbera cartoons. A highlight is a nightclub scene that could be right out of Star Wars except that it's peopled by penguins, rhinos and elephants, and run by a gorilla named Mungo. When a DNA transfer device goes missing, all fingers and paws point to... Dr. Havoc. But can they capture him before he defeats Captain Amazing? Kids will hope that Captain Amazing and his sidekicks will return for many more adventures. --Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness