Review by Booklist Review
On the small island of Scraggy Neck, the town comes out for a yard sale at the home of the recently and mysteriously deceased Mr. Marlin. What no one knows is that Mr. Marlin may have been a wizard and all his objects contain incredible powers. Enter Hudson and Tucker, brothers who have recently found themselves in possession of magical scarves and an umbrella, and befriended by a talking squirrel. The brothers become amateur superheroes, battling other yard sale attendees who possess magical objects and considerably more selfish dispositions. Hansen works a nifty story out of his clever concept, with genuine humor, realistic characterizations, emotionally intense stakes, and agile battle sequences. The lifelike faces and figural work, as well as the warm, earthy tones of the art, help keep things tied together even when the tale takes a sharp time-traveling left turn into a fantasy world where the boys meet a tough-as-nails dragon who becomes their trainer. Age-appropriate lessons are indeed learned, and the urgent cliff-hanger promises that there are more charmingly sincere adventures ahead.--Karp, Jesse Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this first book in the Secondhand Heroes trilogy, Hudson and his younger brother, Tucker, know something is up when the umbrella and woolen scarf their mother picks up for them at a yard sale appear to have lives of their own. The castoffs give the brothers superhuman powers; quick to see the possibilities, they improvise costumes, naming themselves Stretch and Brella. Hansen (Monster Hunter) gives the boys worthy villains to defeat and enthusiastic schoolmates to cheer them on. Piling on the fantasy gratification, Hansen teleports them to a medieval village where they meet a dragon, a fire-breathing mentor who cuts them no slack: "Also, I am female. If I hear he or him again, in reference to me, I will incinerate you. Continue." Hansen meticulously drafts and colors every panel in painterly detail, giving his figures volume and heft. Smart characterization (including a memorable walk-on by a talking squirrel that sounds like a surfer bro), breathlessly paced adventure, and a dire cliff-hanger ending will make readers hope they don't have to wait long for the sequel. Ages 8-12. Agent: Sarah Warner, Warner Literary Group. (July) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Horn Book Review
In this series-opening graphic novel, brothers Tuck and Hudson gain superpowers from junk their mom picks up at an estate sale. As the tale seeks its footing--establishing ground rules, motivation, bad guys, and setting--its plot flounders slightly. Despite the uneven pace, action abounds, and the richly colored, realistic panel illustrations; clever premise; and suspenseful ending will engage readers. (c) Copyright 2017. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
