OFFICER CLAWSOME

Bad guys feel the pinch when lobster policeman Officer Clawsome and his conveniently badge-shaped starfish sidekick, Stariana, are on the job.

“You break the law…you get the claw!” Exchanging wisecracks as they go (“Looks like we’re in a real pickle!” “No big dill”), a hot pursuit through a crowded market turns out to be only the opening exploit for two hard-shelled heroes as the escape of fiendish techno-wizard Electric Eel from prison sparks a veritable crime spree in watery Caper Cove. Readers who like their nonstop cop capers punctuated by massive explosions and mighty wallops will find plenty of both as the cocky crime fighters face off, usually violently, against both criminal masterminds and gangs of goofy goons. Meanwhile they’re busy getting to the sandy bottom of mysteries ranging from a rash of shark sightings to the disappearance of Kelpy’s—source of the best kelpcakes in town—and proving that no crook (not to mention kelpcake) is safe from the long pincer of the law. Along with being as easy to read as the pithy dialogue, the bright, cleanly drawn scenes are stocked with hard-boiled marine characters of diverse color and species sporting theatrical grimaces, googly eyes, and human dress.

Benthic buddies have a blast, and readers will too.