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Speed Reader (Volume 1)
Not yet published
Expected 3 Mar 26160 pages, Paperback
Expected publication March 3, 2026
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Matthew Cody
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 25, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
In this graphic novel, we meet Zander, who struggles in school. He's being raised by a single mother who runs a local coffee shop, The Donut Hole, and his great uncle, Mervin. Zander's grandfather was Felix Fast, a superhero who disappeared when Zander's mother was young, and Mervin stepped in when her mother died. Mervin loves to tell tales of his time helping out his brother, making sure superhero vehicles were in good repair. When it looks like Zander will have to enroll in summer school because his reading is poor, his teachers says that he can join the school reading challenge instead. This has been won several years running by Tanya May, and has a pizza party as a reward. When Tanya May brings a misdelivered package to Zander's house, the two strike up a conversation. The package contains an old looking book about speed reading that conceals a crystal. When Zander gets caught out in a lightning storm with the crystal, it zaps him with powers. He can suddenly run very fast and even read very fast, which helps him with the reading challenge but puts him at odds with Tanya. When men in black suits start following him, Mervin enlists the help of Dr. Simon Simian, whom Felix Fast had saved from being controlled by Big Brain, who had created an army of "brainiapes" to help him wreak havoc. The crystal turns out to be Speedium, which is what gave Felix Fast his super powers, and Zander has also absorbed this element. When he overhears some of the evil plans of the men in suits, he and Tanya try to figure out what is going on. There are some twists and turns, and a second book is definitely hinted at!
Strengths: It has always confused me that there is a disproportionate number of graphic novels that are essentially whiny memoirs, when there should be many more that are comic book style adventures! Zander is a classic underdog; a little pudgy, not great in school, and picked on by bullies, but he has a great support system in his mother, Mervin, and Tanya. A graphic novel is a great way to shout out classic comics, and some of the panels have a grainy, newsprint style dot quality to them, and the history makes sense; super heroes of the 1970s would be grandparents now. I particularly loved one of Mervin's friends, retired super villain "British Invader" who is now just pensioner Reggie Knight, but still rocking his groovy, vintage threads. Zander also has a trusty dog, Spike, who is along for the adventures. While the twist at the end isn't a huge surprise, I don't want to ruin it.
Weaknesses: Since the speed reading and the reading competition figured largely in the plot, I needed to know more about what troubles Zander really had. It's not realistic to let a student out of necessary instruction by requiring participation in a reading competition. Not accurately portraying how schools work is a pet peeve of mine, but this won't bother students. And yes, I know: we can have super speed powers acquired through a crystal and taking apes, but I want summer school to be correctly represented?
What I really think: Cody knows his classic comic and superhero lore; his Powerless (2010), Super (2012), and Villainous (2014) were very popular ten years ago in my library, and his six book Cat Ninja series (2020) puts yet another twist on this theme. I'll definitely purchase this for my school library, and I think it will be popular with my students, who get weary of the surfeit of autobiographical graphic novels.
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
In this graphic novel, we meet Zander, who struggles in school. He's being raised by a single mother who runs a local coffee shop, The Donut Hole, and his great uncle, Mervin. Zander's grandfather was Felix Fast, a superhero who disappeared when Zander's mother was young, and Mervin stepped in when her mother died. Mervin loves to tell tales of his time helping out his brother, making sure superhero vehicles were in good repair. When it looks like Zander will have to enroll in summer school because his reading is poor, his teachers says that he can join the school reading challenge instead. This has been won several years running by Tanya May, and has a pizza party as a reward. When Tanya May brings a misdelivered package to Zander's house, the two strike up a conversation. The package contains an old looking book about speed reading that conceals a crystal. When Zander gets caught out in a lightning storm with the crystal, it zaps him with powers. He can suddenly run very fast and even read very fast, which helps him with the reading challenge but puts him at odds with Tanya. When men in black suits start following him, Mervin enlists the help of Dr. Simon Simian, whom Felix Fast had saved from being controlled by Big Brain, who had created an army of "brainiapes" to help him wreak havoc. The crystal turns out to be Speedium, which is what gave Felix Fast his super powers, and Zander has also absorbed this element. When he overhears some of the evil plans of the men in suits, he and Tanya try to figure out what is going on. There are some twists and turns, and a second book is definitely hinted at!
Strengths: It has always confused me that there is a disproportionate number of graphic novels that are essentially whiny memoirs, when there should be many more that are comic book style adventures! Zander is a classic underdog; a little pudgy, not great in school, and picked on by bullies, but he has a great support system in his mother, Mervin, and Tanya. A graphic novel is a great way to shout out classic comics, and some of the panels have a grainy, newsprint style dot quality to them, and the history makes sense; super heroes of the 1970s would be grandparents now. I particularly loved one of Mervin's friends, retired super villain "British Invader" who is now just pensioner Reggie Knight, but still rocking his groovy, vintage threads. Zander also has a trusty dog, Spike, who is along for the adventures. While the twist at the end isn't a huge surprise, I don't want to ruin it.
Weaknesses: Since the speed reading and the reading competition figured largely in the plot, I needed to know more about what troubles Zander really had. It's not realistic to let a student out of necessary instruction by requiring participation in a reading competition. Not accurately portraying how schools work is a pet peeve of mine, but this won't bother students. And yes, I know: we can have super speed powers acquired through a crystal and taking apes, but I want summer school to be correctly represented?
What I really think: Cody knows his classic comic and superhero lore; his Powerless (2010), Super (2012), and Villainous (2014) were very popular ten years ago in my library, and his six book Cat Ninja series (2020) puts yet another twist on this theme. I'll definitely purchase this for my school library, and I think it will be popular with my students, who get weary of the surfeit of autobiographical graphic novels.
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What happened to all the superheroes and villains? This is the world Zander lives in, but it might take a fun flip in a direction he never expected.
Zander isn't exactly the star of anything. He's not great at sports, isn't great at school, and isn't popular... or even well-liked. When his uncle comes to class and tells of his adventures as the mechanic to a past superhero, the uncle's awkwardness makes Zander's already skim standing at school take a complete nose-dive. When he arrives home after school, he discovers a package on the doorstep with a book about speed reading, which is weirdly on-point since his teacher has informed him that the only way he'll pass his English class is to join the reading competition and pound away at a ton of books. But the book isn't what deserves attention; the gem inside is about to turn his entire life on its head.
This read melds the feel of traditional, superhero stories with a modern, middle grader's world. Zander is anything but special and wins the sympathy of readers quickly, especially since he's just trying to get by and isn't mean or even overly depressing. He even makes a new friend before the adventure kicks off. The idea that superheroes and villains were once commonplace in the town adds a smooth connection between the familiar, daily life and the fantasy. Plus, seeing an ex-villain at a cafe, enjoying coffee while wearing his flamboyant style (which hints at his earlier life) adds just the right touch to set the atmosphere. The beginning lets the reader sink into Zander's world without growing boring, and then, shoots off into adventure and excitement as he gains his powers and, suddenly, faces an entire slew of villains, who were waiting in the shadows. It's well-paced with everything needed to create a fun read.
The illustrations bring across the scenes with the needed emotions and give a slight reminder of past, superhero comics with occasional sound effects. The expressions on the characters add the last zest. The text is balanced with the images and flows well.
It's a fun beginning to what promises to be a quick-paced series for superhero fans.
Zander isn't exactly the star of anything. He's not great at sports, isn't great at school, and isn't popular... or even well-liked. When his uncle comes to class and tells of his adventures as the mechanic to a past superhero, the uncle's awkwardness makes Zander's already skim standing at school take a complete nose-dive. When he arrives home after school, he discovers a package on the doorstep with a book about speed reading, which is weirdly on-point since his teacher has informed him that the only way he'll pass his English class is to join the reading competition and pound away at a ton of books. But the book isn't what deserves attention; the gem inside is about to turn his entire life on its head.
This read melds the feel of traditional, superhero stories with a modern, middle grader's world. Zander is anything but special and wins the sympathy of readers quickly, especially since he's just trying to get by and isn't mean or even overly depressing. He even makes a new friend before the adventure kicks off. The idea that superheroes and villains were once commonplace in the town adds a smooth connection between the familiar, daily life and the fantasy. Plus, seeing an ex-villain at a cafe, enjoying coffee while wearing his flamboyant style (which hints at his earlier life) adds just the right touch to set the atmosphere. The beginning lets the reader sink into Zander's world without growing boring, and then, shoots off into adventure and excitement as he gains his powers and, suddenly, faces an entire slew of villains, who were waiting in the shadows. It's well-paced with everything needed to create a fun read.
The illustrations bring across the scenes with the needed emotions and give a slight reminder of past, superhero comics with occasional sound effects. The expressions on the characters add the last zest. The text is balanced with the images and flows well.
It's a fun beginning to what promises to be a quick-paced series for superhero fans.
November 1, 2025
Graphic Novel
I received an electronic ARC from Andrews McMeel Publishing through Edelweiss+.
A new superhero series with characters that will connect with middle grade readers.
Zander struggles to fit in at his school. He is slow and late for most things. His teacher warns him he will need to be in Summer School if he doesn't bring his grade up. So, he decides to do the Reading Challenge, even knowing a classmate has won for the last three years. In the midst of this, readers also meet his uncle, a former superhero, and learn about his grandfather, a missing superhero. Zander longs to find something he is good at and live up to their reputation. When a mysterious package is delivered that includes an even more mysterious rock, Zander may have found his way to being the best at something on his own. Suddenly, he does everything at a super fast speed including running track and reading books.
As all this unfolds, old villains and friends return; they bring challenges to the community. Zander, Zara and his Uncle manage to save the day.
The characters are realistic and amusing to watch as the story unfolds. Each balances the others as they figure out how to save their town. The artwork is highly detailed and vividly colored to pull readers in. I appreciate the final page spreads that hint of more adventures to come.
I received an electronic ARC from Andrews McMeel Publishing through Edelweiss+.
A new superhero series with characters that will connect with middle grade readers.
Zander struggles to fit in at his school. He is slow and late for most things. His teacher warns him he will need to be in Summer School if he doesn't bring his grade up. So, he decides to do the Reading Challenge, even knowing a classmate has won for the last three years. In the midst of this, readers also meet his uncle, a former superhero, and learn about his grandfather, a missing superhero. Zander longs to find something he is good at and live up to their reputation. When a mysterious package is delivered that includes an even more mysterious rock, Zander may have found his way to being the best at something on his own. Suddenly, he does everything at a super fast speed including running track and reading books.
As all this unfolds, old villains and friends return; they bring challenges to the community. Zander, Zara and his Uncle manage to save the day.
The characters are realistic and amusing to watch as the story unfolds. Each balances the others as they figure out how to save their town. The artwork is highly detailed and vividly colored to pull readers in. I appreciate the final page spreads that hint of more adventures to come.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews