AWESOME MAN

There’s a newcomer in the Fortress of Awesome, and Awesome Man doesn’t (want to) like it one bit.

Having given their costumed legend-in-his-own-mind both anger issues to work through and a (poorly preserved) secret identity in The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man (2011), Chabon and Parker truck in a new challenge. Rumors of a rival superhero coming to town (who could it be? Steel Tornado? Glue Girl?) pitch Awesome Man into a funk. At first it looks like his worst fears are realized. Losing his colorful costume and chiseled physique in the shiny, bright scenes to become a seemingly ordinary lad, he accompanies younger sib “Sister Sinister” into the house to meet…bald, ultratiny Captain Stinky. Awesome Man is unimpressed—until, that is, the interloper exhibits multiple superpowers, including an impressive scream and a green and mucky Slime Blast. “Maybe the new kid is going to be okay!” The parentally suggested prospect of being followed around by an adoring little brother confirms this attitude change (“I didn’t know I was getting a sidekick!”), and by the end, Captain Stinky has been transformed to Awesome Boy. The transition occurs with unlikely speed, but most young crime fighters and world savers with growing families of their own will both understand Awesome Man’s anxiety and agree that family changes are better embraced than fought.

Wears its agenda on its sleeve—but not heavily enough to tear the spandex.