Timothy Dinoman

Timothy Dinoman, a green-skinned humanoid iguanodon who wears an eye patch, is determined to be his division's best covert operative in Thueson's action-packed series-opening debut. Timothy and his human best friend Jen Robins, portrayed with pale skin and short-cropped red hair, work for Global Operation for Organized Defense and Safety, a "supersecret group dedicated to saving the world." When bearded supervillain Mr. Bowman and his accomplices, all light-skinned, steal a satellite capable of controlling the weather, Timothy and Jen are deployed to stop him. Along the way, Timothy rescues Abraham, Mr. Bowman's fluffy white cat, from a fire. Aided by Jen and Abraham, and employing classic spy moves--including cutting a circle through glass with a watch laser and going incognito as a mustachioed henchman--Timothy gathers clues to thwart nefarious criminals. Literally rendered onomatopoeia (a giant shattered-glass "CRASH" when Timothy leaps through a window, a page-filling "BOOM!" when a fire extinguisher implodes in a burning blaze) adds movement, uncomplicated paneling streamlines the plot, and bold color palettes vividly capture adrenaline-fueled fight sequences in this quirky adventure. Ages 9--14. (Oct.)

Can a villain use a weather satellite to hold the world captive? Not on this dinosaur's watch. When Mr. Bowman and his henchmen, Brams and Quaid--all light-skinned--steal and launch the satellite, agents Timothy Dinoman, an iguanodon who wears an eyepatch, and Jen Robins, a light-skinned human, work to foil the plot. They're helped by Abraham, Bowman's white cat (a nod to the feline petted by the Bond villain in From Russia With Love), whom good-hearted Timothy saves when Bowman's lair goes up in flames. In an underlying plot thread, the release of Space Beam, a so-bad-it's-good movie, foreshadows the real impending danger. Bursting with visual energy that leaps off the page, the artwork brings to life vivid action scenes, including an elaborate fight sequence in and then on top of a speeding train and an extended footrace and vehicular chase that would impress even Wile E. Coyote. There are laugh-out-loud moments aplenty: Timothy and a henchman pause midfight after knocking over a shelf of first-edition books (Timothy even stops to browse). Readers will enjoy the James Bond--esque gadgets, like a data transmitter hidden inside a container of dental floss. This tale has heart, too: Timothy and Jen's bond is a strong one, and Timothy's kindness toward Abraham is repaid at critical moments, leading to a satisfying conclusion. Action-packed, save-the-world drama mixed with humor and heart. (Graphic novel. 10-14) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.