Sound Off! #1 (Daniel Boom aka Loud Boy)

An outrageous crime-fighting caper in the spirit of Scooby-Doo cartoons, with Old Fogey as the sniveling, power-hungry villain bent on total silence in the world, and Daniel Boom and his pals out to stop him with their "super powers," namely, a loud voice, tantrum-throwing, fidgeting, and destroying things. A fun twist on the disruptive behaviors of typical kids; a negative turned to the positive. It reminded me of David Lubar's novel "Hidden Talents."

This series is a fun addition to the "boy superhero" genre. Daniel Boom, due to a mysterious accident immediately after his birth, has an unusually loud voice. On his tenth birthday, he meets three other kids at his new school. They all have some mysterious traits in common and under the guidance of Daniel's eccentric Uncle Stanley set out on a career of saving the world, having transformed the abilities that constantly get them into trouble into powers they use for good.

The latest title in the series has Daniel Boom and his friends forced to function without their powers, while his little sister, Jeannie S. aka Chatterbox, tries to discover the origin of her own powers.

These graphic novels are amusing and should have a wide and show more enthusiastic audience. Adults may be less enthusiastic about their obvious "kids vs. adults" theme and the portrayal of what most adults probably consider irritating faults - yelling, fidgeting, destroying things, temper tantrums, and never shutting up - as superhero abilities, but it's all tongue-in-cheek humor and might give kids dealing with these issues a welcome relaxation and chance to giggle at their problems. The art is fresh and clear with a feeling of animation that will draw in cartoon fans and clear, readable text.

Verdict: Fans of The Lunch Lady, Sava's Hyperactive, and Melvin Beederman will enjoy these comics. Hand these also to reluctant readers who enjoy action cartoons and animation.

Adventures of Daniel Boom Loud Boy: Sound Off!
ISBN: 978-0448446981; Published March 2008 by Grosset and Dunlap; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library

Adventures of Daniel Boom Loud Boy: Grow up!
ISBN: 978-0448447018; Published April 2010 by Grosset and Dunlap; Review copy provided by publisher; Purchased for the library show less

This is a graphic novel (for kids) about how being a loud kid can be a good thing (great for the A.D.D. kid in your life - no joke!). As the back copy proclaims: "Luckily for the world, my Loud Boy powers come in handy when foiling an evil plot for global domination."

fun story, nice graphics

"Daniel, almost 10, is a lively, throughtful child, but he has a problem. He was born with 'no indoor voice,' and his words have been known to shatter glass...Bursting with action, color, and intriging characters (both good and evil), this works in every way....Kids will anxiously await Daniel's next adventure."
Booklist, March 15, 2008, page 66.