Detention of Doom

DC Comics: Secret Hero Society #3

by Derek Fridolfs, Dustin Nguyen (Illustrator)

Bruce Wayne (Batman(TM)), Diana Prince (Wonder Woman(TM)), and Barry Allen (The Flash(TM)) have to rescue Superman(TM) from an otherworldly detention in their newest Secret Hero Society adventure! When Lex Luthor's family company, Lexcorp(TM), invites kids from all over the country to attend an honors ceremony, Clark Kent is happy to participate. That is, until his award trophy creates a portal to another dimension and sucks him in! Lucky for Clark (Superman(TM)), his old friends Bruce (Batman(TM)) and Diana (Wonder Woma(TM)n) along with newer friends Barry (The Flash(TM)) and Ollie (Green Arrow(TM)) are on the case! They'll have to travel to an alternate dimension to free their friend from Lex Luthor's grasp (and the worst detention ever) in this all-new adventure from Eisner Award winner Dustin Nguyen and Eisner Award nominee Derek Fridolfs.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Middle Grade, Superheroes, Childrens, Dc Comics, Adventure

176 pages, Hardcover

First published December 26, 2017

About the author

Derek Fridolfs has worked professionally as an writer, inker, cover & sequential artist for DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, Boom, IDW, and a majority of comic companies the past 20 years.

#1 New York Times Best Selling Writer for the DC Secret Hero Society book series through SCHOLASTIC. And Eisner Nominated co-writer of Batman: Li'l Gotham at DC.

He's also written for such titles as Adventure Time, Regular Show, Clarence, Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo, Teen Titans Go!, Dexter's Laboratory, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The New Animated Adventures, Batman Arkham City, Batman Arkham Unhinged, Adventures Of Superman, Sensation Comics Wonder Woman, Justice League Beyond and many more.

Reviews

[zapkode · Rating 5 out of 5]

{My thoughts} – All of the main characters are given trophies for various reasons. Some how the trophies make those who touch them vanish. Clark was the first to disappear.

When Bruce figures out what happened its a little late. They all end up joining Clark in a detention of sorts. The detention they come to find out was created by Lux Luther.

I enjoyed this book as it is written in the same style as the previous two. It is a quick and fun read that is sure to have any comic lover pulled into the story within the pages.

I believe that any child that enjoys reading comics and or graphic novels will enjoy reading these books.

[Maggie Gordon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the Secret Hero Society books, but this third installment just didn't wow me. It retreats a bit from the chat message format if only because the characters end up in one place together for so long. Fewer characters makes it easier to follow, but the plot drags as our friends are stuck in the detention Zone. Alas, hopefully the next one isn't a miss!

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detention of Doom is a graphic novel written by Derek Fridolfs and illustrated by Dustin Nguyen. It centers on young students, Bruce Wayne, Diana Prince, and Clark Kent who get sent into a strange dimension by Lex Luthor.

Clark Kent has mysteriously disappeared after winning an award for being the top student in the Gotham City school district. It sends Bruce Wayne, Diana Prince, and the rest of the Secret Hero Society into action and suspecting Lex Luthor is tied to the vanishing. Eventually Bruce and Diana are sent into a strange detention world by Lex Luthor and later followed by Barry Allen, Oliver Queen, and Victor Stone. The kids also found Bruce's arch-nemesis Joker and Harley Quinn. While they were there, they came across Bizarro Superman, who ultimately helped them.

Detention of Doom is written and constructed rather well. The narrative is spun out in a mix of journal entries, chat transcripts, screenshots, and panels of comic art as the Secret Hero Society gets trapped in a wacky detention dimension and tries to get free. Nguyen's loosely drawn and black and white illustrations have a quick, sketchy look reinforced by wonderful backgrounds.

All in all, Detention of Doom is a well-crafted tale of middle school woes of experiencing detention at a wacky level with familiar faces of comic book heroes.

[sameera]

adorable like always~

✿ barry making a robin reference right when i had been thinking it would be cool to have robin as a character

✿ i had been sensing bruce and diana for awhile and we finally had a few moments! the hand holding was adorableee

✿ joker and harley were a fun addition. could hear harley's accent when she said "mista j."

✿ bruce kept reminding me of damian just less bratty. although, that makes sense lol. precocious children (￣ε￣＠)

✿ alfred was a sassy, cool kid as per usual. loved that he got his own variation of the "i am vengeance" speech

i wonder how the new illustrator will do. these are so fluffy and cute✿~

[Lauren Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phantom detention zone? So awesome!

[Jessica Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun book. Enjoyed this book:)

[Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really good. I liked the artwork and the story was fun.

[JACOB]

When Superman got his troy he brest a button send him self to the Phantom Zone. When the ather superhero got to the PHANTOM Zone they saw Bizarro in saw him instead.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the ending although I wish it was in color.

[Ani Abbina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This very funny book that superhero fans should read.

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dustin Nguyen is one of my favorite artists. I did very much appreciate how Derek Fridolfs' story pulled details from the Smallville universe. It gave me warm fuzzies.

[tony dillard jr · Rating 4 out of 5]

For today's Family Comic Friday, I want you to imagine that all of the members of the Justice League got their powers as kids. It's not that hard to believe since over 60 years of DC Comics history is filled with tales of Superman and Wonder Woman saving the day as little kids. It's occurring in the present as well with a teenage Bruce Wayne becoming the Dark Knight on Gotham.

Today's book selection is 'The Detention of Doom.' It's the third book in the DC’s young readers series, The Secret Hero Society. Written by Derek Fridolfs, this series follows a young Bruce Wayne, Clark Kent, Diana Prince and friends as they try to save their middle school from Lex Luthor and his band of bullies.

The Secret Hero Society books are one part graphic novel and one part chapter book. The prose parts of the book are written up as parts of the SHS’s dossier on the events of their most recent mission. Those parts are drafted up by Derek Fridolfs. On art is Fridolfs’ Lil’ Gotham partner Dustin Nguyen.

I'm a big fan of the seasonally themed Li'l Gotham. It's one of the main reasons I choose this book. 'The Detention of Doom' is also a pretty new release by DC Comics; bearing a copyright of 2018.

The book has Clark Kent mysteriously disappearing after winning an award for being a top student in the Gotham City school district. The Luthor Corp sponsored the event. Thus Bruce and the rest of the SHS are on high alert suspecting that Lex Luthor has something to do with Clark's vanishing.

While tinkering with the award, the pint-sized superheroes find themselves transported to another dimension. Filled with sand, a run down school and soul-sucking phantoms, the team think that they have found Clark! Well, he looks like Clark. Only this kid is paler than young Kent and a lot more bizarre.

I thought Dustin Nguyen's art was just great. He's never disappointed me before and he didn't here. Nguyen is supposedly working on a sequel to Li'l Gotham and I can't wait for it.

The writing was pretty good too. Great characterization of your favorite DC heroes as kids. But I thought that the plotting was a little confused at times. On more than one occasion, it's mentioned that a character or two have wandered off from the group. But a couple of pages later, they're back without any explanation.

I know that Fridolfs and Nguyen were splitting the writing duties based on what format the book switched over to. I'm wondering if when Derek Fridolfs wrote out a character he forgot to tell Dustin Nguyen and vice versa.

Plus, there's one scene where Bruce plays very fast and loose with the timeline. Yes, time travel is a big element in the DC Universe. But this instance felt like a cheat for the writers to get themselves out of very deep plot hole.

The Secret Hero Society books are recommended for readers 8-12 years old. There's nothing objectionable for younger readers if they'd like to give the series a shoot. But some of the terms are a little more advance. So younger readers may need an adult's help defining those words.

A very enjoyable blend of novel and comic book. It had a few kinks in the formula to work out. But it was a fun read. Now with DC recently announcing the formation of two new young reader imprints, I am more excited that ever to see what DC Comics has in store.

Who knows? Maybe one of those books will be my selection for an upcoming Family Comic Friday! Until next week- read more comics!

[Nathaniel Voll · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 6-year old son (almost in grade 1) simply adored this series. An avid and knowledgeable DC superhero fan, this series offered an accessible view of his favourite heroes as they take on the public education system, summer camp and--of course--the phantom zone! He loved following the mystery as Bruce and Clark narrate, document and catalogue their findings in lists, instant message conversations and classic graphic novel panel styles.
While he LOVED it, I scratch my head at the decision to have Bruce narrate two books, Clark one and Diana none... When you already only have one female hero in the group (including secondary character levels like Flash, Green Arrow and Cyborg), but a handful of female villains, and don't give Diana a chance to narrate, it becomes highly problematic. I want to read my son a Wonderwoman-centric story. Fridolfs, can you arrange this for book #4, please? I want to teach my son to f*** the patriarchy.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having enjoyed the first two books in this series, I was eager to pick up the third book, Detention of Doom. The book was fun as were the first two, although I found myself a bit confused in places. I guess that's not too surprising in a book where the sometimes seems unfinished. But in a superhero book with a lot of fantasy elements the strange and the confusing is to be expected. Bruce Wayne was once again the most entertaining of the group, with Diana Prince (Wonder Woman) a close second. Bruce's serious, dark personality shines through, sometimes in rather amusing ways. I enjoyed reading about how Bruce's skills helped save the day when the others lost their superpowers in the Phantom Zone. The role of Bizarro was more important than I thought it would be. A fun series for young superhero fanatics.

[A. Minnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an absolute delight that's sure to entertain kids and OG DC fans alike.

In this story told through comic panels, journal entries, and group chats, we join the middle-school aged DC superheroes Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Cyborg, Green Lantern, and even villain Lex Luthor on an adventure through an alt dimension of detention.

Filled with oblique and sly references to the actual cannon, this is a delicious read. IMO there is no better take on a young DC universe than JL8 (if you know you know, if you don't you MUST Google it), and the personalities in this definitely parallel that webcomic (I am ALWAYS here for petulant Bruce).

The only thing that fell short was the actual plot and its resolution, but to be honest, I didn't come here for that.

4/5 stars. Totally recommend to newcomers and DC nerds alike.

[Jill Jemmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this instalment of the series!

Bruce, Clark, and Diana are sent into a strange detention world by Lex Luthor. Clark entered first, and his friends went in to find him afterwards. They were also joined by Barry (The Flash), Oliver (Green Arrow), and Victor (Cyborg). The kids also found Bruce’s archnemisis Joker and Harley Quinn. While they were there, they came across Bizarro Superman, who ultimately helped them.

I was very pleased with the graphics in this story. They were black and white, but the characters were more distinct. It was much easier to distinguish between the kids. I struggled figuring out who the characters were in the previous book, so I was glad this one was easier to read.

This is a great book!

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. This one was easier to keep track of the characters than the second book since there wasn't as large of a cast of characters. For some reason this story just didn't grab me as much the last one. It seemed like the plot jumped around a few times and the way Alfred saves them in the end didn't make much sense give that at the beginning of the book Bruce gave him very specific instructions so even if Alfred found a note asking him to do something, I feel like he would have followed the advice from the frantic texts that Bruce sent him.

[Oracle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bruce and his friends end up getting trapped in a dimension that they end up calling the Phantom Detention Zone after finding out that Clark has been missing for days! Inside of the Phantom Detention Zone they end up finding a completely desolate world that has everyone endlesly searching for a way back to the real world.

This particular one is filled with adventure, and really pulls you in-- causing one's self to be fully engaged in how Bruce, Diana, and the rest will end up.

So far, out of the entire series, THIS book has been the star. Amazing piece! :D

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the first one, this was a cute read. This story didn't seem quite as fleshed-out as the first (some of the rules of the "Phantom Detention" universe didn't make much sense), but the book still delivered a story that both parents and their children could enjoy. There was a lot of clever writing that, again, proved this was written by fans for fans, and it's a nice way to parents to introduce their children to the characters that they grew up with.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was just okay for me... I think that the problem that I have is - Bruce as the main character... Clark, Diana, Barry are side characters. Haven't we seen that enough from DC?
And Barry is an inpatient fool. I get that this is the younger version of the characters - I get that it is different than traditional DC canon with Barry getting powers as an adult.. but that Barry, as a police scientist knew his science - he was not rash, but calculating... smart...
This Barry is a cliche

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I liked this better than the last one, but not as much as the first. The plot here was good, and with a smaller cast of characters, it was less confusing trying to keep track of who's who with just the pencil drawings.
Lots of little nods to the comic stuff. I liked the introduction of Bizarro and the Phantom Zone - hopefully we haven't seen the last of them!

[Zachary King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a treasure! Fridolfs and Nguyen play with DC mythology to give us a tale that reimagines the Phantom Zone as a Bizarro detention hall, as the heroes learn how to work together without their powers. There is an amazingly touching moment of heroism in the book, helped ably by the simple and elegant art that fills the book. I sincerely hope there are more of these to come!

[M.L.D. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Docking this a star because of Wonder Woman's characterization. She triggers the trap that sends the bulk of the gang into the Phantom Detention Zone. Why? Because she loses her temper. Why does she do that? No reason given. Probably because she's a girl and...that's what girls do, I guess. Just blow up for no reason. Good job, dudes.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Young super hero's who are all in the same class, same school run into trouble with "Lex" when Clark disappears after being awarded a trophy. The books was complicated and I felt a lack of planning. The super heroes would get into some sort of trouble and be super stuck - then the page turn would solve the problem but how?? I was confused.

[Theresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

A graphic novel. Cool idea, having adventures involving a group of the young versions of superheroes, including Lex Luther. This one involves a missing Clark Kent and all of them being sent to the Phantom Detention.

The writing format involves a lot of texting and other computer stuff.

Fave scenes: the Detention Reports.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Graphic Novel
This time the young superheroes get sucked into an old detention created by those on Krypton. Lex manipulates everyone and sends them to this desert. They have to work together to find their way home.
Will definitely hold mid-elementary students' attention.

[Joshua J Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great work

I read this with both of my 10 year old daughters. We all loved it. It’s a great, funny story. I really liked how they tied this into the “main” D.C. continuity. All of these kids were very much in character.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I love this series, this feels by far the weakest. The classic DC heroes are there but the phantom detention zone steals the focus from the characters.
Thumbs up for Alfred the hero though. The Bizarro jokes were good too.

[Jkeeler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read-very similar to the others. Lots of characters that you are trying to figure out. Who’s good? Who’s not? Was hoping for this book to be from Diana’s point of view but it was Bruce Wayne again. Maybe next time.

[Holly Ducarte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book in this series I picked up at the library for my daughter, who currently has been watching Batman: The animated series. We read this book together and thought it was lots of fun. Humorous. Cute illustrations. Relatable school aspect. And clever references to characters we are familiar with. As a Batman fan myself, I enjoyed every page. I adore the young super hero idea and them getting to know one another in school and going through all kinds of schemes from the young villains.