And from the creator of Nodwick and Full Frontal Nerdity …
PS238: No Child Left Behind!Vol. 3 (Dork Storm) [collects #10-15]
w/a. Aaron Williams
| Writing |  | New reader? |  |
| Art | | Non-comics reader? | |
Williams may not have invented the idea of a school for super-kids, but his exploration of the idea far pre-dates the recent slew of movies on the subject. Chris Tongue in the intro describes it as “Take the kids from Springfield Elementary, give them X-Men powers, and send ’em to Hogwarts.” While there’s plenty of general humor and hi-jinx from the situation, much of the story circles around Tyler, the thus-far-unpowered son of two major heroes, enrolled at PS238 to prepare him for his heroic career.
This volume still has a number of stand-alone stories, but Williams begins to build the foundation for longer arcs in the future, including dealing with the “above-ground” normal bully Charles, and the mysterious Project Rainmaker that preceded PS238.
Just generally grand stuff. Buy it.
PS238: No Another Learning Experience! (Do Gooder) [collects #16-21]
w/a. Aaron Williams
| Writing | | New reader? |  |
| Art | | Non-comics reader? | |
This one is pretty much all-arc, all the time, as one kid dies (or does she?), some kidnapped kids (who aren’t) try to get their captor and themselves home safe, someone meets a ghost, a bully gets his come-uppance, and the superkid who only wants to play the clarinet tries to figure out which parent to disappoint.
Heady, even heavy, stuff for what started predominantly as a humor book. Williams keeps building a richer and richer environment — and some of his original fans aren’t happy to see see the evolution. On the other hand, nobody’s complaining about his steadily-improving art.
I like it. That’s most of what matters to me. And I keep waiting for the next issue.
Note: This book has already come out via comic book stores, but isn’t available at Amazon … yet.
(listening to: Wainwright III, Loudon, “Underwear” from Little Ship)
(listening to: Shore, Howard, “The Shadow of the Past” from LOTR1: The Fellowship of the Ring)
(listening to: Beatles, “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” from Blue Album 1967-1970)
(listening to: Wainwright III, Loudon, “OGM” from Little Ship)
(listening to: Original Broadway Cast, “Molasses to Rum” from 1776)
(listening to: Symphonic Cast, “Lovely Ladies” from Les Misérables (Symphonic))