Review: ‘G-Man,’ Vols. 1-3

There aren’t many kid superheroes, so a young audience will love the G-Man series. They’ll want to read all 3 volumes and keep up with all of G-Man’s adventures. The only drawback? When the 3 volumes are done, they’ll want more. And right now it’s only the 3 volumes.

G-Man: Learning to Fly v. 1
c2012. ISBN 9781607062707 $9.99
G-Man: Cape Crisis v. 2
c2013 ISBN 9781607062714 $9.99
G-Man: Coming Home v. 3
c2013 ISBN 9781607065715. $9.99
By Chris Giarrusso
Rated E for Everyone
Image Comics

On the surface, Mikey G. is like any other kid. His father is rough around the edges. His know-it-all older brother wants to get him in trouble. Mikey G. wants to learn how to fly. He wants super powers like the other super heroes around. He decides to learn it from a book, and he’s successful. Together with his friends and brother (who dubs himself Great-Man) they battle Kid Thunder, who’s not really evil, just a bully. The remainder of the volume is a collection of comic bits. The comics are loosely connected, but don’t actually connect to a full story.

Volume 2 continues with a new adventure. G-Man decides to share his power with, well, anybody. He cuts pieces of his magic blanket. But when he tries to recover the pieces, things get out of control.

Finally, in volume 3, Coming Home, the brothers G-Man and Great-Man return after being in another dimension for a few months. But things go awry, and together with the Thunder Friends, they must acclimate again. The Sun Troopers are after them, because G-Man’s magic cape has the ability to shut down the Sun Trooper’s powers. There are bad guys wandering the city. And Mom is expecting.

While volume 1 is a bit choppy with all the comic shorts, volumes 2 and 3 are very strong. I don’t think young readers will be dissuaded by the first volume. (I think that it’s my personal dislike for short stories.) I think they’ll adore G-Man and Great Man. Between their familiar sibling rivalry, their slightly dysfunctional family, and their wonderful and odd assortment of friends, they have something for every child to like. Each volume actually gets stronger, so it’s a shame that there hasn’t been another volume out in a while.

The artwork is fun. Reminiscent of a Saturday morning cartoon, this could easily be animated for TV.

If you haven’t picked this up for your collection, this will be a great addition. Digital versions are available through Image’s website.

This review is based on a complimentary copy supplied by the author. All images copyright © Image Comics.

Filed under: All Ages, Graphic Novels, Reviews