The Wiener Strikes Back

March 15, 2016
The proprietors of Galactic Hot Dogs return for more evil-bashing high jinks aboard the Neon Weiner. Earth boy Cosmoe, his ginormous, ex-space-pirate buddy, Humphree, and their half-evil erstwhile kidnapper, Princess Dagger, are having a great time hanging out and hawkin' hot dogs on the desert planet Arahas...but they aren't making much moolah. Then Crostini's Cosmic Carnival and Wonder Circus comes to Arahas. Animal-loving Cosmoe hates circuses, but his two friends talk him in to attending. After a humungous Skorlax attacks the circus tent and Cosmoe shows rare monster-taming talents, Crostini invites the trio to join the circus and sell their wares at each stop...Cosmoe can join the show too. Of course, that doesn't last for one performance (hey, the story has to move along if there are gonna be enough explosions). Crostini's working on an evil army for Evil Queen Dagger (the princess's mom). Can Cosmoe and his friends stop this nefarious plot? Brallier and Maguire bring their webcomic (now with a home full of games and activities and videos at Funbrain.com and Poptropica.com) back for a second venturesome print volume with collaborator Kelley. Jagged comic panes and captioned illustrations, some full-page, propel the story and add to the laffs. Final art not seen. Total fluff, often making not a lick of sense (in a good way), this will satisfy the appetites of fans of the first--but reading that first is a must (or there will be fewer licks of sense). (Graphic/science-fiction hybrid. 7-10)

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May 1, 2016

Gr 4-7-The heroes of this series are back for another space traveling adventure. Cosmoe, along with Princess Dagger and Big Humphree, encounters a mysterious carnival run by the eerie Crostini. When the group stop a horrific monster from destroying the carnival, they get jobs at the circus. Cosmoe finds out that Crostini is in cahoots with an evil figure from their past, and it's up to the Galactic Hot Dogs to foil the diabolical plot and save the universe. Fans of the first book and the original source material (a popular online presence) will eat this up. Those who haven't read the first title will be lost, as there is little to no background information given. Readers of "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" and those still obsessed with all things Star Wars will enjoy this silly romp through space.

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