Source: From the Author for review and tour. This in no way alters my opinion or review.
Today we are talking about Secondhand Heroes #3: The Last Battle - Out on April 10th! I had the pleasure of reading this whole series and and so excited to share my reviews with you - as you know I love graphic novels and comics especially when they are for young adult. middle grade readers!
Since the feature is for Book 3 that review is first - if you haven't read up to that point yet, keep scrolling and you will see reviews for the first two books!
Series: Secondhand Heroes #3
Publisher: Dial Books
Publication Date: April 10, 2018
Rating:
Goodreads Synopsis:
Two ordinary objects turned a pair of brothers into superheroes. Now they're banding together with their neighbors to take down the evil Trench once and for all in the final volume of this graphic novel trilogy.
Tuck and Hudson have figured out how to wield the superpowers they got when their mom bought them an ordinary-looking pair of scarves and an umbrella at a yard sale. But Trench, their supervillain archnemesis, is only getting more powerful. Slowly, the brothers have discovered the others in their town who have superpowered objects from that same yard sale. Now Tuck and Hudson, along with their friend Elvira and their squirrel sidekick, Steen, are leading a band of heroes in the fight against Trench. This final volume of the graphic novel adventure series features the heroes' last stand, with plenty of twists and turns along the way.
Review:
So many twists in this installment! Book 3 of Secondhand Heroes follows Tuck and Hudson into their final battle with Trench. The whole community is now involved and there are so many twists along the way.
This book in the series was the best display of Justin's artistic talent, the full spreads of art without dialogue were gorgeous and detailed and so vibrant, I really loved staring at them. The overall story was wonderful too but if you haven't read the first two, I don't want to give anything away. Just know that you will be dying to read more from Justin.
The Last Battle was epic on so many counts. I think Middle Grade readers will really love this series. It is action-packed, and so much fun to read.
Publisher: Dial Books
Publication Date: July 5, 2016
Rating:
Goodreads Synopsis:
Perfect for fans of Amulet, Sidekicks, and Zita the Spacegirl, this graphic novel series debut introduces Stretch and Brella, a pair of ordinary brothers whose extraordinary yard sale discovery turns them into superheroes
Tuck and Hudson are just two average suburban brothers—until their mother buys them a scarf and an umbrella at a yard sale. Quickly, the brothers realize that these ordinary-looking objects are full of magic, and that, with the help of their squirrel sidekick, they can use that magic to fight evil. As the boys move from fighting their neighborhood nemesis to facing bigger foes, they become Stretch and Brella, the unstoppable brother superhero duo. Soon, Stretch and Brella find themselves in another realm, where they take on enormous dragons and an evil knight in an incredible graphic novel adventure.
Review:
I am a fan of Amulet and Ben Hatke - who wrote Zita so I was super excited to dive into this series. Tuck and Hudson are brothers and their mother loves garage sales. She always brings the boys something back when she goes out and this time all they got was scarves and an umbrella. To their amazement these items are so much more and they find themselves crime-fighting heroes of their little neighborhood.
This first volume was a lot of story build up - they boys finding their powers, an enemy surfacing , and a trip to another universe to help a dragon. I know, it all sounds crazy but it works so well. The boys are fun to read and the story is interesting and keeps the reader pushing through the story.
Then there is the artwork - it was amazing! the colors are vibrant, and all the panels are SO DETAILED it was hard to read all the dialogue because you are so distracted by the images behind and around it. I found myself gazing at the pictures for much longer than was necessary to grasp the story. It was great, this book was a great start to the series for sure!
Series: Secondhand Heroes #2
Publisher: Dial Books
Publication Date: February 7, 2017
Rating:
Goodreads Synopsis:
Two ordinary objects turned a pair of brothers into superheroes. Now they must fight the evil Trench right in their own neighborhood.
When Tuck and Hudson return from their first adventure as the superheroes Stretch and Brella, they’re still reeling from the shock of their newfound powers. But there’s no time to slow down. Trench, a supervillain whose powers came from the very same garage sale where Tuck and Hudson found their magic scarves and umbrella, lives around the corner—and he’s out to get the brother superhero duo. With help from their squirrel companion, Steen, and another newly minted superhero, a neighborhood girl named Elvira, the brothers keep fighting the good fight, with plenty of action and adventure along the way.
Review:
Ok, book 2! So much action is packed into this installment. The boys return from another universe to find that their enemy has taken over - actually more than just taken over - everyone is living in fear, and they have been away for 15 years! After making it back to their time, they find others that purchased items from the same garage sale that have powers and they have to team up to take down the supervillain. They are trying to save their home and their friends - can they do it?
Again the story line kept me very interested and the art was just as spectacular, if not better then the first installment. Tuck and Hudson are growing as characters and I am enjoying their company while reading. I also really liked the incorporation of other kids with special items and as a bonus - these characters are diverse ones. I love seeing that in children's books. I really liked all the action and progression in this book and could not wait to pick up the third one!
Tour Schedule
Stop by and say hello to all the reviewers!
April 4th - Cover2CoverBlog YOU ARE HERE!
April 5th - A Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust
April 6th- Unleashing Readers
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April 9th- Daddy Mojo
April 10th- Trisha Jenn Reads
April 11th- Story Mamas
April 12th(TBD) - The Little Crooked Cottage
April 10th- Trisha Jenn Reads
April 11th- Story Mamas
April 12th(TBD) - The Little Crooked Cottage
Justin LaRocca Hansen was raised in a small town in Massachusetts, spending his summers in Cape Cod. He has loved comics, drawing, and watercolor since he was very young, and his childhood adventures continue to inspire his storytelling today. After receiving his artistic and undergraduate training at the Ringling College of Art and Design in Florida, Justin began teaching in New York and Massachusetts. He is the author/illustrator of Monster Hunter published by Sky Pony Press and the Secondhand Heroes Graphic novel trilogy published by Dial Books for Young Readers.
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