Bucky and Stu vs. the Mikanikal Man

April 1, 2015
Saving the planet's easy when your rivals are only powered by imagination. Can these heroes handle a real nemesis? Bucky and Stu, becaped buddies who are sworn "protectors of their hometown, their planet and their favorite TV show," patrol the backyard, besting BoxMan (a stack of boxes decorated to look like a nasty robot) and TrashMan (old rubber trashcans with mops for eye stalks) and Hose-Nose (an old vacuum cleaner with added eyes) before Stu's stomach interrupts their play. After a sizable lunch (for Stu at least), Bucky shows Stu a robot he and his uncle Ernie have been working on. Mikanikal Man needs only a power supply to function. With a storm approaching, the boys head inside, planning to find a power pack on the morrow. When Mother Nature spectacularly gives Mikanikal Man life, can our heroes best him? Not until hunger overtakes their foe, when the boys find scary monsters can be super friends (if properly fed). Van Wright follows up When an Alien Meets a Swamp Monster (2014) with another action-packed romp powered by imagination and the boundless energy of boys at play. The watercolor-and-pencil illustrations mimic comics in places, and the mix of fonts conveys the emotions of the boys and their tone of speech as much as their expressive faces do. Young superhero wannabes will be shouting "Wonk 'em!" in no time. (Picture book. 4-8)

August 1, 2015

K-Gr 2-Two boys play superhero games, battling pretend monsters made of boxes, mops, and vacuum cleaners. Their most interesting enemy is "the Mikanikal Man," a metallic robot creature made out of cycle fenders, laser tubes, and Aunt Susie's iron, among other items. When a lightning strike brings the robotic being to life, the boys must battle a real bad guy. The battle seems lost until the Mikanikal Man gets hungry and the boys bring him batteries, motor oil, and other appropriate food, setting up the predictable but satisfying conclusion in which they make friends and the duo becomes a trio of super pals. Soft palette watercolor and pencil cartoons support the lighthearted tone. The slightly goofy, expressive faces of Stu and Bucky let readers know that it's all in fun, even during the "real" battles with the Mikanikal Man. Specific but not overdone details add charm, from the pencil ears and paper towel tube arms of "Baddie Boxman" to Stu's bow-and-plunger weapon. Well laid-out panels and insets alternate with spreads, pacing the action effectively. Narration and dialogue match that of superhero cartoons ("Is this THE END for our fearless heroes?"), and the hyperbole is neatly balanced by occasional asides ("What's a nemesis?" asks Stu), reminding readers that they are really just a couple of boys. VERDICT An appealing choice for young superhero fans not quite ready for Marvel and DC.-Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville Public Library, OR

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