Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A frog and a tadpole superhero team fight the villains of a contaminated swamp in this quirky graphic novel by Reese (Cave Dada Picky Eater). The high-octane series launch begins with one of the amphibian duo waking up in the middle of an unfamiliar marsh. The confused frog is immediately embroiled in a battle with Hater Gator, an antagonistic mechanical alligator who dubs the protagonist Fantastic Frog. A page turn sees Fantastic Frog joined by his apparent tadpole sidekick Tad Lad, who's similarly befuddled by the pair's superhero getups and their newfound abilities to speak and stand on their hind legs. Following a swift defeat by Hater Gator, Fantastic Frog finds himself once again regaining consciousness within the swamp--except this time, he's greeted by the retreating shadow of a humanoid figure. As Fantastic Frog and Tad Lad work together to defeat their robotic nemesis, they face repeated setbacks and ponder their heroic origins. Fluid line art renders action-filled panels bustling with slapstick and occasionally existential humor. This enjoyable comic--divided into two episodic adventures, plus an intermission--revels in its silliness while exploring themes of environmental stewardship and self-discovery. Ages 8--12. (Feb.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3--5--This action-packed graphic novel throws readers immediately into the story, as Fantastic Frog and his sidekick Tad Lad battle Hater Gator, but aren't entirely sure why. In a series of plot beats that will be familiar to video game lovers, the super-powered amphibians eventually defeat the robot gator and gain access to an underground headquarters that holds the answers to their questions and their favorite snack: cat kibble. Fantastic Frog and Tad Lad are assigned a mission to save the swamp and set out on a comic and chaotic adventure. Humor abounds, from a running joke about smells to a punny interlude with a dung beetle peddling poots (poo + boots). The book ends with a nod to the next installment in classic comic book fashion. The art also plays with classic comic book tropes, such as how the mentor Dr. Kim is mostly seen from frog height and her face is never shown. The artwork highlights dynamic action sequences depicting sequential movement accompanied by onomatopoeias, and the bright color palette aptly features a heavy dose of frog green. VERDICT For video game lovers, comic fans, and readers who appreciate the grosser things in life, this book will circulate well in libraries that love Dav Pilkey's "Dog Man."--Kat Mowczko
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Two oddly enhanced amphibians navigate sinister swamplands. Fantastic Frog introduces this chaotic, comedic series with apt existential questions: "Where am I? Who am I?" Awakening muddy and muddled and wearing a superhero costume, Fantastic Frog is immediately confronted by a gargantuan robot alligator. After a splashy struggle, he defeats the robo-reptile with help from a smart-talking, preposterously bipedal tadpole named Tad Lad. And then things get really strange. In a deus ex machina move, the amphibians are plucked from their habitat by Dr. Kim, a tan-skinned, dark-haired scientist who's been closely observing their genetic alterations. With the test subject defeated, they're now prepared to face the evils infesting their true home--the swamp. Let loose, they save a real alligator unwittingly programmed for evil, procure a suit made out of poop from a fashionable dung beetle, and careen comedically toward a messy climax in a junkyard populated by vomiting, farting children's toys. If a landfill's worth of emetic entertainment sounds unpleasant, direct your attention to more fragrant fare. But if absurd action sequences in a festering bog are your jam, join in! Frog and Tad, swapping banter as they go, are certainly having fun. Comparisons to the Dog Man universe are apt--both in tone and visually, though Frog and Tad Lad's journey promises murkier mysteries ahead. Who, indeed, is responsible for the villainy filling the swamp? Gross-out gags split the bill with silly superheroes in this wild, weird new series.(Graphic fiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
