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Comic Shift
A page-turner set in the world of comics and comic conventions!
Des is the kid everyone overlooks, even as he longs for some recognition. He doesn’t stand out in any particular way ― except one: He's a “super-recognizer,” someone who never forgets a face. It’s a talent not even he values.
But Des wants to change the game. So he comes up with a plan to use his superpower to help his mom's detective squad ID the members of a crime ring that are looking to make off with some valuable items at a comic convention. Instead, he meets Cosmo, who has a power of their own. Can Des's power help Cosmo before spies, police and an international comics empire co-opt Cosmo's power?
A twisty story with fantastic page-turning plot points that also delivers a universal message about recognizing the strengths of your true self.
Des is the kid everyone overlooks, even as he longs for some recognition. He doesn’t stand out in any particular way ― except one: He's a “super-recognizer,” someone who never forgets a face. It’s a talent not even he values.
But Des wants to change the game. So he comes up with a plan to use his superpower to help his mom's detective squad ID the members of a crime ring that are looking to make off with some valuable items at a comic convention. Instead, he meets Cosmo, who has a power of their own. Can Des's power help Cosmo before spies, police and an international comics empire co-opt Cosmo's power?
A twisty story with fantastic page-turning plot points that also delivers a universal message about recognizing the strengths of your true self.
- GenresCanada
240 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 16, 2025
Silver Birch 2026
July 6, 2026
Once Summer is over, Des, the hero of award-winning author Ted Staunton’s novel Comic Shift, will be on the cusp of big things! He will be beginning Grade Seven and is determined to start this phase of his life on a high note. “New School, New Me” – is his mantra.
What Des lacks in confidence, he makes up for with creativity. Des and his best friend Jolie have created a comic-book series called Cowman and Bob which they hope to take to the next level over Summer holidays.
What makes Des different from other kids he has a legitimate superpower of sorts – once he sees a face, he never forgets it. Des jokingly refers to himself as “Faceman” but #superrecognizers are a real-life phenomenon that Ted Staunton brilliantly seizes upon. Staunton makes clever use of unique form of #neurodivergence to craft a first-class adventure that is sure to keep the most reluctant of readers turning the pages.
Des is determined to help his police officer mom by memorizing the faces of a rogue’s gallery of potential criminals and trying to help identify some “bad guys” at Cosmicon.
The arrival of a wildcard shapeshifter named Cosmo into the fray ensures this is truly an adventure to remember - not only for Des and Jolie - but for readers as well!
Cosmo has the ability to morph into anyone – or anything, but tragically can no longer remember who they were originally.
Comic Shift takes flight with Des and Jolie leading the charge as they try to stay one step ahead of the bad guys (and their parents) while helping Cosmo to discover their origin story.
Staunton’s own superpower as an author is his ability to build momentum by adding increasingly intriguing elements and characters to make a great story exciting and fresh while recognizing the kinds of details that are important to kids.
Starting small with highly relatable story elements and building in complexity there's never a dull moment. Staunton’s attention to nuance and talent for capturing kids dialogue will enchant any Middle Grade reader.
Comic Shift is the perfect read for kids ages 9 & up) to fire the imagination and provide some great reading! Highly recommended!
What Des lacks in confidence, he makes up for with creativity. Des and his best friend Jolie have created a comic-book series called Cowman and Bob which they hope to take to the next level over Summer holidays.
What makes Des different from other kids he has a legitimate superpower of sorts – once he sees a face, he never forgets it. Des jokingly refers to himself as “Faceman” but #superrecognizers are a real-life phenomenon that Ted Staunton brilliantly seizes upon. Staunton makes clever use of unique form of #neurodivergence to craft a first-class adventure that is sure to keep the most reluctant of readers turning the pages.
Des is determined to help his police officer mom by memorizing the faces of a rogue’s gallery of potential criminals and trying to help identify some “bad guys” at Cosmicon.
The arrival of a wildcard shapeshifter named Cosmo into the fray ensures this is truly an adventure to remember - not only for Des and Jolie - but for readers as well!
Cosmo has the ability to morph into anyone – or anything, but tragically can no longer remember who they were originally.
Comic Shift takes flight with Des and Jolie leading the charge as they try to stay one step ahead of the bad guys (and their parents) while helping Cosmo to discover their origin story.
Staunton’s own superpower as an author is his ability to build momentum by adding increasingly intriguing elements and characters to make a great story exciting and fresh while recognizing the kinds of details that are important to kids.
Starting small with highly relatable story elements and building in complexity there's never a dull moment. Staunton’s attention to nuance and talent for capturing kids dialogue will enchant any Middle Grade reader.
Comic Shift is the perfect read for kids ages 9 & up) to fire the imagination and provide some great reading! Highly recommended!
August 6, 2025
It's not often I find a book that I can hand to the kids who want sci-fi. It's also not often I'm handed such a soft sci-fi title that has such a wide appeal.
While I found the text a bit choppy and jumpy, the story was fast-paced and covered a lot of ground - from mundane super-powers and their prevalence to actual issues around acquiring super powers! The book has a cinematic feel with distinct settings and locales that stand out amid the city-scape. I enjoyed the mystery and the bits that are left unsaid/unsolved - too often are middle-grade books in a hurry to explain everything.
While I found the text a bit choppy and jumpy, the story was fast-paced and covered a lot of ground - from mundane super-powers and their prevalence to actual issues around acquiring super powers! The book has a cinematic feel with distinct settings and locales that stand out amid the city-scape. I enjoyed the mystery and the bits that are left unsaid/unsolved - too often are middle-grade books in a hurry to explain everything.
January 14, 2026
2.5 ⭐️
Read this as part of the Forest of Reading Contest. Wasn’t my favourite read, but perhaps it’d interest the younger crowd. Had an interesting storyline but at times, things seemed to be happening all over the place.
Read this as part of the Forest of Reading Contest. Wasn’t my favourite read, but perhaps it’d interest the younger crowd. Had an interesting storyline but at times, things seemed to be happening all over the place.
February 27, 2026
An interesting plot line that will keep you wondering about the next imaginative move. So many books can be compared to other story lines but I found this quite original.
March 8, 2026
This wasn’t worth the wait and that’s all I’m saying
Silver Birch Fiction 2026
Silver Birch Fiction 2026
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews