SMASH: Trial by Fire

(Paperback)

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Description

Super strong. Super fast. Super young! When Andrew Ryan accidentally inherits the strength and abilities of his superhero idol, Defender, his dreams may have just come true. . . . or NOT. Fighting crime isn't easy when you're in the fifth grade, and it takes a lot more than superpowers to be a hero.

Reviews

The Boltons provide easy-to-follow panels filled with action, wide eyes, banter (Not another step or its bye-bye puberty!), and comically exaggerated differences between the puny (looking!) caped crusader and his much buffer adversaries. ... Three cheers for the underdog.
Kirkus Reviews

The character is full of pluck that is true to a ten-year-olds spirit while keeping older readers entertained. Readers will cheer for him as he goes through his days. The illustrations are well-drawn in traditional superhero comic book style. ... This title is perfect for elementary and middle school boys, especially reluctant readers.
Library Media Connection (highly recommended)

SMASH pays homage to the genre while adding tweaks that make it all feel fresh. This is sure to be a draw for superhero fans and reluctant readers alike.
School Library Journal

Kyle Boltons cartoonish art recalls Frank Cammusos (The Misadventures of Salem Hyde, 2013), but it has a refreshingly everyday color palette. There is violence (its a superhero story, after all), but it is appropriate for the intended audience, and the ending leaves plenty of stories to tell in subsequent volumes.
Booklist

Full of drama, humor, and seriously thrilling action sequences. To summarize: kids are going to love it.
100 Scope Notes (SLJ Blog)

Author Bio

Chris A. Boltonhas written short fiction, stage plays, sketch comedy, and screenplays. His first published short story appears inPortland Noirand he recently completed a novel.Smashis his first comic series, which he co-created with his younger brother, Kyle. Chris A. Bolton lives in Portland, Oregon.

Kyle Boltonhas been drawing since the age of four, although SMASH is his first professional comic work. A graduate of the Art Institute of Seattle, he has worked for a variety of game companies creating 2D and 3D animations. Kyle Bolton currently draws and lives in Seattle, Washington.