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Sidekick #1 Book Released: 28 June 2006 Review posted: 06 July 2006 Writer: Paul Jenkins Artist: Chris Moreno Publisher: Desperado/Image  5.00 out of 5 Stars Reviewed by Adam White

I was introduced to Sidekick by Paul Jenkins and Chris Moreno themselves at HeroesCon 2006, which was cool considering they are the creators of the book. Jenkins and Moreno displayed impeccable comic timing while signing for fans at the Desperado booth, and that same skill runs rampant throughout the first issue of Sidekick. I picked the book up at the booth and had them both sign it, and it turned out to be the best impulse buy I’ve made in recent memory.

Paul Jenkins must have a secret life as a comedian, because no one at HeroesCon made me laugh quite as hard as he did. Jenkins exhibits his wonderful humor through Sidekick’s “hero,” Hyper-Lad, a pizza delivery

Jenkins reminds us of his incredible range as a writer with the universe he has created in Sidekick.

boy that moonlights as a sidekick to the world’s most ridiculously stupid and destructively ineffectual superhero. Hyper-Lad does a variety of things unbecoming of a sidekick, things that you would never see or hear Robin or Bucky do on the printed page, but I won’t spoil them here because they are half the fun of the series. Jenkins creates great personalities in Hyper-Lad and his variety of superhuman partners, and the story itself takes on a life of its own that entertains you on every page. Jenkins, most recently focusing on his Marvel work, reminds us of his incredible range as a writer with the universe he has created in Sidekick.

Artist Chris Moreno brings his comedic talents to the table as well, presenting each panel and each character’s expression perfectly at just the right times. Moreno gives the book a comic feel without being too cartoony or slapstick, making the book very

Chris Moreno presents each panel and each character’s expression perfectly at just the right times for maximum comic effect.

funny when a lesser craftsman would have made it jokey or unmemorable. Hyper-Lad’s physical condition and general appearance represent his station in life, and Moreno uses just the right amount of exaggeration where necessary for maximum comic effect. Although I was not familiar with Moreno’s work until I met the artist himself, I am now a fan and will make it my business to follow his career (meaning you’ll be following it too).

Sidekick is a great surprise and could be one of the biggest “sleeper” hits of 2006. You should be glad I have brought it to your attention (if you missed it) so that you can buy it now and won’t be out of luck when you can’t find a copy anymore. If you have been bogged down by the serious happenings of Civil War or Infinite Crisis, or you just like to have a good, legitimate laugh, Sidekick is a can’t-miss book because it provides you with all the laughs you can handle. Go buy it right now, and tell them I sent you.

 

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