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geekwayne's review
3.0
'Side-Kicked' takes the premise of being a superhero sidekick and makes a story out of it. I once saw an episode of 'The Tick' that did the same thing. I think I liked that better.
The superheroes get all the glory and the sidekicks get no respect. That's the premise of this book. It shows the sidekicks doing work as good or better than the heroes, but getting overlooked or yelled at by the public. They decide to go on strike to get the recognition they think they deserve. While they are striking, the villains decide to take advantage of the situation. Will the heroes realize what they've done in time to save the city? Will the sidekicks get their much needed due?
It's an interesting premise, but I just had a problem with the sidekicks sitting by while the crime rate went up around them. The art is fine, and there are also character bios at the end of the book. I did like the concept, but just failed to be wowed by the execution.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Magnetic Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
The superheroes get all the glory and the sidekicks get no respect. That's the premise of this book. It shows the sidekicks doing work as good or better than the heroes, but getting overlooked or yelled at by the public. They decide to go on strike to get the recognition they think they deserve. While they are striking, the villains decide to take advantage of the situation. Will the heroes realize what they've done in time to save the city? Will the sidekicks get their much needed due?
It's an interesting premise, but I just had a problem with the sidekicks sitting by while the crime rate went up around them. The art is fine, and there are also character bios at the end of the book. I did like the concept, but just failed to be wowed by the execution.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Magnetic Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
wrentheblurry's review
4.0
I requested to 'read this now' on Netgalley, though I then waited too long to download it, and instead received the title through an inter-library loan after it was published.
It tells the story of the forgotten superheroes, the neglected and disrespected sidekicks. After being taken for granted one too many times, a group of sidekicks form together and initiate a strike. They want to make sure the city's residents grant them some respect, and, perhaps even more importantly, they are looking for some validation from the superheroes that they side-kick for.
I mostly liked the artwork, though sometimes I found it difficult to determine who was who, and which people were the villians, during the fight scenes. That may just be due to the large number of characters as well.
There was just the right amount of text for me; I don't like it when graphic novels and comics become bogged down in long, explanatory text bubbles.
The storyline felt unique. I do wish it wasn't so heavily male oriented, however. Maybe they plan on further exploring the female sidekicks in a future series?
It tells the story of the forgotten superheroes, the neglected and disrespected sidekicks. After being taken for granted one too many times, a group of sidekicks form together and initiate a strike. They want to make sure the city's residents grant them some respect, and, perhaps even more importantly, they are looking for some validation from the superheroes that they side-kick for.
I mostly liked the artwork, though sometimes I found it difficult to determine who was who, and which people were the villians, during the fight scenes. That may just be due to the large number of characters as well.
There was just the right amount of text for me; I don't like it when graphic novels and comics become bogged down in long, explanatory text bubbles.
The storyline felt unique. I do wish it wasn't so heavily male oriented, however. Maybe they plan on further exploring the female sidekicks in a future series?
powisamy's review
I thought I would really like this comic, it is one that I thought would interest me, being the premise was about trying to find sidekicks, and this is something I should enjoy being that I like books or graphic novels that do not focus on the chosen one however this one was not for me. I did not feel engaged with the story that after 10 pages, I did just want it to be finished. This being the case I did end up stopping at after this. The artwork also was not to my taste as well and I thought that it was quite normal and did not stand out. As I have been reading more graphic novels as of late this one was average and did not stand out from the crowd.
bibliocat08's review
3.0
This comic wasn't bad but it wasn't really great. I liked the premise of the often overlooked and under-appreciated sidekicks getting fed up and taking their skills else where. I did enjoy the hubris of the superhero/villain and the idea that they needed their sidekicks to maintain the status quo in Chicago. I couldn't really tell what was going on at the end. Are they making a super team of sidekicks? Are they just making themselves the superheroes?
My big issue was the play on other superheros by the author. The Fox being Batman, Frostbite being Frozone from The Incredibles, Mr Marvelous being Superman. If it had been more overt and maybe a little kitschy it would have worked better for me but it just seemed like they were burying the lead on criticism of the superhero archetype.
My big issue was the play on other superheros by the author. The Fox being Batman, Frostbite being Frozone from The Incredibles, Mr Marvelous being Superman. If it had been more overt and maybe a little kitschy it would have worked better for me but it just seemed like they were burying the lead on criticism of the superhero archetype.
atnea's review
3.0
That was a hell of a fun read! I laughed at this and was completely excited over it. I thought the characters were cool and that the story was very intense. Oooooonly thing is, it felt shallow, not on the materialistic side, but on the not really deep story. It all happened really fast. The scenes wouldn't last more than five pages. Most of them, at least. But it was fun.
daynpitseleh's review
2.0
I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is about a group of superhero sidekicks that are tired of being second fiddle and decide to go on strike. That's basically the gist of it. The plot is too simplistic and I didn't find myself caring about any of the characters.
This is about a group of superhero sidekicks that are tired of being second fiddle and decide to go on strike. That's basically the gist of it. The plot is too simplistic and I didn't find myself caring about any of the characters.
jmanchester0's review
4.0
What does it mean to be a hero?
The sidekicks are fed up. They save lives and the heroes take the credit. Their heroes don't appreciate them. Their activities go unnoticed. The media ignores them. So they go on strike.
This story works surprisingly well. I was unsure about the premise - the story could have been handled poorly - but it was really well-executed.
And while you have some familiar powers, there are some new, creative ones, too.
Like all good stories, the characters learn things, but this book doesn't hit you over the head with its messages.
I hope there's a sequel.
Recommended for a different take on the superhero story.
Thanks to NetGalley and Magnetic Press for a copy in return for an honest review.
The sidekicks are fed up. They save lives and the heroes take the credit. Their heroes don't appreciate them. Their activities go unnoticed. The media ignores them. So they go on strike.
This story works surprisingly well. I was unsure about the premise - the story could have been handled poorly - but it was really well-executed.
And while you have some familiar powers, there are some new, creative ones, too.
Like all good stories, the characters learn things, but this book doesn't hit you over the head with its messages.
I hope there's a sequel.
Recommended for a different take on the superhero story.
Thanks to NetGalley and Magnetic Press for a copy in return for an honest review.
emarleene's review
3.0
Side-Kicked was a short and interesting comic that dealt with a unique concept. The sidekicks of the super heroes finally got tired of how they were being treated and left in the shadows without any appreciation for their hard work. This sounded like it could have been a great story and overall I did feel that this comic dealt with it in a nice way. I do, however, feel like it was too easy and not enough surprise to this. There weren’t any twists or unexpected events, it all felt kind of boring to be honest.
I do like the style this is drawn in, but someone pointed out that these characters are supposed to be young adults, but unfortunately they seemed more like middle aged men to me.
The comic was a bit short and therefore I didn’t have enough time to get invested in the characters and there were so many heroes and sidekicks in such a short comic that it became a bit hard to distinguish them from each other.
I would recommend this for those who enjoy superhero comics, but don’t expect to be blown away. It’s a fun and fast read, but nothing memorable.
I do like the style this is drawn in, but someone pointed out that these characters are supposed to be young adults, but unfortunately they seemed more like middle aged men to me.
The comic was a bit short and therefore I didn’t have enough time to get invested in the characters and there were so many heroes and sidekicks in such a short comic that it became a bit hard to distinguish them from each other.
I would recommend this for those who enjoy superhero comics, but don’t expect to be blown away. It’s a fun and fast read, but nothing memorable.
lilyn_g's review
4.0
Side-Kicked is perhaps the third graphic novel I've ever willingly picked up. I was surprised at a couple things in it (primarily that one of the characters considered suicide a couple times), and was surprised at the depth of what I found in what I had expected to be 'light, easy reading". I liked the unique premise of side-kicks rebelling, and found myself actually enjoying what I read. I would recommend it for adults.
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