Atomic Ace and the Robot Rampage
Written and illustrated by Jeff Weigel
Albert Whitman & Company, $15.95
32 pp.; ISBN-13: 978-0807504840

Review by Amy Brozio-Andrews

While the caped Atomic Ace may have super powers, he's really just a regular guy -- he's got a wife and a son who wants to be just like him when he grows up, and he's often away from home for work, while Mom takes care of things at home.

Atomic Ace has done his fair share of putting away the bad guys, but little does he realize that the evil Roboconquerer is getting out of prison. Not only that, but Roboconquerer doesn't have Atomic Ace in his sights this time; now it's his son that's in jeopardy. Roboconquerer sends an animated robot mob after the boy while he's at school. Our hero's son does his best to summon his own special powers to beat back the crowd of robots, but he's not quite able to handle the situation himself. With the unsuspecting Atomic Ace off in space taking care of some off-course meteors, who'll save this young man from the horde of animated robots that storm his school? And what to do with all of these robots?

Jeff Weigel, the author and illustrator of Atomic Ace (He's Just My Dad), returns with another exciting picture book. His ultra-creative storytelling style blends two strong narratives told at the same time. Simultaneously offering readers an ordinary day in the life of Atomic Ace's family, and a behind-the-scenes look at the terrible machinations of an evil madman with his heart set on revenge, the tension increases page by page until the two storylines collide dramatically: the mechanized androids set in motion by Roboconquerer go after Atomic Ace's son, who's minding his own business at school, just wishing for a little adventure in his life.

The main narrative is told in the first person by Atomic Ace's son; the rhyming verse is effective in setting it apart from the concurrent storyline, however the rhythm of the verse is a little awkward in some places. The second, non-rhyming narrative that concentrates on Roboconquerer's plot is told in the traditional sequential art style -- talk bubbles and boxed text. The illustrations, inked and colored just like comic books and graphic novels, are styled the same for both narratives, which unifies the story overall and makes the mix seamless and easy to follow.

Atomic Ace and the Robot Rampage is a great choice for kids who are interested in their older siblings' graphic novels and comic books, as well as those who enjoy high-adventure and super hero stories. The bright colors are visually interesting and the twist at the end (who does rescue Atomic Ace's son?) will have kids saying, "Of course!"

Jeff Weigel is an experienced comic book writer and artist, and his skill-- in both writing and illustrating-- is evident in Atomic Ace and the Robot Rampage. Comic book-styled picture books for kids are uncommon, and Weigel's work brings to young readers all of the excitement of super heroes and comic books at an age-appropriate level they can truly enjoy.