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Sparks! #1
Sparks!
Sparks is a hero and man's best friend, but nobody suspects he's two cats! This Super Dog is the Cat's Meow!August is a brilliant inventor who is afraid of the outside. Charlie is a crack pilot who isn't afraid of anything. Together these pals save lives every day. They also happen to be cats who pilot a powerful, mechanical dog suit! Always eager to leap into danger, this feline duo have their work cut out for them as they try to thwart Princess, an evil alien bent on enslaving mankind. Don't let the fact that Princess looks like a cute, diaper-wearing baby fool you. She's clever, determined, and totally ruthless. So when Princess and the browbeaten fools she calls servants enact a brilliant and dastardly plan to conquer Earth, August and Charlie pull out all the stops to save the day.
192 pages, Library Binding
First published February 27, 2018
64 people are currently reading
684 people want to read
About the author
Ian Boothby
260 books30 followersMultiple Shuster Award, Harvey Award and Eisner Award nominee and an Eisner Award–winning comic book creator best known for his work as the lead writer on Simpsons Comics and Futurama Comics for Matt Groening's Bongo Comics. Boothby has written more Simpsons Comics issues than any other writer. He is a regular writer for MAD Magazine. He has also worked on various Canadian television series and is a well known stand-up, sketch and improv comedian working in the Vancouver area. He co-created Free Willie Shakespeare for the Vancouver Theatresports League which won the Jessie Richardson Theatre Award for Excellence in Interactive Theatre.
A writer for multiple television series including CBC's Switchback, Street Cents, "Big Sound" and Popular Mechanics for Kids. He is the co-writer of the DVD film Casper's Haunted Christmas and screenwriter of the Cartoon Network special Scary Godmother: The Revenge of Jimmy.
The creator of the sketch comedy series The 11th Hour, called "The funniest sketch series since SCTV" by the National Post, as well as the creator of the TV pilots Space Arm, Vancouver PM and I Dig BC and the co-creator of Channel 92 along with Dean Haglund and Christine Lippa. Boothby founded the Canadian Comedy Award-winning sketch group Canadian Content. He currently performs with the sketch comedy group Titmouse! and "The Critical Hit Show: a Live Dungeons & Dragons Comedy Experience," writes for CBC Radio's The Irrelevant Show, and co-hosts the podcasts Sneaky Dragon, Compleatly Beatles, Totally Tintin, The Fansplainers and Full Marx - a Marx Brothers Podcast with David Dedrick. He has also written the ebook It's About Tolerance Stupid : essays on improv & how to make things better without making yourself crazy. He is the writer of Sparks! a graphic novel series for the Scholastic Corporation's Graphix line with art by Nina Matsumoto, and Exorsisters, an ongoing series from Image Comics with art by Gisele Lagace.
He also appeared in the Adam Sandler film Happy Gilmore.
Ian Boothby is married to Y The Last Man co-creator and artist Pia Guerra and regularly contributes cartoons with her to MAD Magazine and The New Yorker.
A writer for multiple television series including CBC's Switchback, Street Cents, "Big Sound" and Popular Mechanics for Kids. He is the co-writer of the DVD film Casper's Haunted Christmas and screenwriter of the Cartoon Network special Scary Godmother: The Revenge of Jimmy.
The creator of the sketch comedy series The 11th Hour, called "The funniest sketch series since SCTV" by the National Post, as well as the creator of the TV pilots Space Arm, Vancouver PM and I Dig BC and the co-creator of Channel 92 along with Dean Haglund and Christine Lippa. Boothby founded the Canadian Comedy Award-winning sketch group Canadian Content. He currently performs with the sketch comedy group Titmouse! and "The Critical Hit Show: a Live Dungeons & Dragons Comedy Experience," writes for CBC Radio's The Irrelevant Show, and co-hosts the podcasts Sneaky Dragon, Compleatly Beatles, Totally Tintin, The Fansplainers and Full Marx - a Marx Brothers Podcast with David Dedrick. He has also written the ebook It's About Tolerance Stupid : essays on improv & how to make things better without making yourself crazy. He is the writer of Sparks! a graphic novel series for the Scholastic Corporation's Graphix line with art by Nina Matsumoto, and Exorsisters, an ongoing series from Image Comics with art by Gisele Lagace.
He also appeared in the Adam Sandler film Happy Gilmore.
Ian Boothby is married to Y The Last Man co-creator and artist Pia Guerra and regularly contributes cartoons with her to MAD Magazine and The New Yorker.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews
April 15, 2018
Two cats escape from a lab, and instead of planning to take over the world, they decide to save it. With the help of their trusty litter pan, they construct a dog suit, and go around helping those in need. There is so much fun here, especially when the fate of the planet ends up in the hands of a squirrel? Oh, say it ain't so!
I don't want to ruin any more of the delightfulness. I'll just say this is a terrific graphic novel for kids of all ages! Find a copy, and READ it!
I don't want to ruin any more of the delightfulness. I'll just say this is a terrific graphic novel for kids of all ages! Find a copy, and READ it!
May 27, 2018
I found this hilarious.
February 24, 2018
Very funny. I will be recommending this to reluctant readers this summer.
August 14, 2018
Only book I've ever read narrated by a litter box. Good silly fun.
January 2, 2018
August is the brains of this dynamic duo disguised as a dog. But, he lacks the bravery to go outside that Charlie has. Together, they put together a plan to engage in heroic acts of bravery using a dog suit they put together with the help of a computerized litter box.
You see where all of this going.
Cue the alien cloaked as a maniacal toddler who has come to earth to control all animal life with the help of her "parent" minions.
Never able to stick around to receive credit (or petting or the occasional "good boy"), Sparks comes under suspicion of being the entity that creates the chaos they are trying to remedy.
This graphic novel will be a big hit of DOG MAN fans with lots of gross-out humor. I got to see the Advanced Reader Copy which was not fully-colored in, but I sense readers will enjoy this title at the end of February 2018.
You see where all of this going.
Cue the alien cloaked as a maniacal toddler who has come to earth to control all animal life with the help of her "parent" minions.
Never able to stick around to receive credit (or petting or the occasional "good boy"), Sparks comes under suspicion of being the entity that creates the chaos they are trying to remedy.
This graphic novel will be a big hit of DOG MAN fans with lots of gross-out humor. I got to see the Advanced Reader Copy which was not fully-colored in, but I sense readers will enjoy this title at the end of February 2018.
September 1, 2018
Bonkers and funny, I love it!
April 22, 2019
Super duper funny. Similar sense of adventure as Astronaut Academy and Lumberjanes. And I always love a good, unpredictable squirrel friend!
January 1, 2021
This graphic novel is a really sweet one for children (6+) and adults alike. With great themes about facing your fears and becoming an unlikely hero.
Both my son and I loved it - I’ve read it more than once.
It’s really funny as well.
Both my son and I loved it - I’ve read it more than once.
It’s really funny as well.
July 8, 2025
I absolutely understand why this series is a top seller at my work! How adorable and funny! 10/10. no notes
February 26, 2018
5/5 hands down an amazing read. My daughter and I read it together, taking turns doing voices for characters. We are really hoping for more in this series.
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March 10, 2018One of the funniest graphic novels I've ever read. Loved the physical comedy of two cats operating a giant dog suit. SO MANY GOOD JOKES.
Nina Matsumoto has been one of my favorite artists for a long time - definitely check out YOKAIDEN if you like SPARKS! I hope there are many more of the SPARKS! books on the way, because Charlie and August and their robotic cat litter box are just wonderful.
Nina Matsumoto has been one of my favorite artists for a long time - definitely check out YOKAIDEN if you like SPARKS! I hope there are many more of the SPARKS! books on the way, because Charlie and August and their robotic cat litter box are just wonderful.
June 6, 2019
This is just my sense of humour! The plot rolls along in an increasingly silly fashion and made me laugh. We are using it in school as a 'set text' for a Y9 competition and it is fun.
Highly recommended to all Graphic Novel readers.
Highly recommended to all Graphic Novel readers.
March 27, 2021
Zany ridiculousness! I loved it!
March 8, 2018
Hilarious! I laughed out loud more than once. But it also chose not to sacrifice characterization for cheap gags, which I appreciate. I have already been recommending it widely and will continue to do so.
December 27, 2018
סיפור הרפתקאות מצחיק ומותח. מומלץ בחום
July 21, 2018
I'm clearly in the minority regarding this book. While I loved the expressive graphics and initial premise of the story I found the backstory too disturbing for my tastes. Early on in the story we are shown how our superhero kitties obtained their special abilities. Unfortunately the answer is animal cruelty including daily shots and experiments. This is also the reason why August, an adorable, fluffy kitty with a super brain, is afraid to go outside. During one of her first adventures outdoors as a kitten she is scooped up by a stranger and taken to the laboratory. This has left her afraid to leave her home. The details of what happened inside the lab combined with the images of frightened animals sucked all of the joy out the book for me.
I am sure there are some that think that I am being overly sensitive. So, I wasn't going to write a review, especially since there really is a lot to like about this book. I decided to go forward with this review believing other soft-hearted, animal-lovers might appreciate the heads-up.
I am sure there are some that think that I am being overly sensitive. So, I wasn't going to write a review, especially since there really is a lot to like about this book. I decided to go forward with this review believing other soft-hearted, animal-lovers might appreciate the heads-up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2021
The nice thing about having librarian friends, is the recommendations of books I am entirely unaware of. I mean why would anyone read about cats when there are so many dog books out there? I will probably read the whole Sparks collection. Thanks Joy!
There is also a french edition. It is called Zap! You're welcome.
There is also a french edition. It is called Zap! You're welcome.
September 4, 2022
Laugh-out-loud funny. Definitely enjoyed this story.
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The artwork was not bad, but nothing special either. The story structure and character work was decent. Thematically, it was very clean, if a little sparse. Nothing I would be concerned for my younger siblings reading it. Which is a welcome change.
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Over all, it's a fun book I wouldn't mind owning.
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The artwork was not bad, but nothing special either. The story structure and character work was decent. Thematically, it was very clean, if a little sparse. Nothing I would be concerned for my younger siblings reading it. Which is a welcome change.
~
Over all, it's a fun book I wouldn't mind owning.
March 7, 2018
This was super-cute tale told by a litter box. Yup, suspend your belief and dive in for some fun featuring genetically modified felines, a litter box, dog suit and a wacko squirrel. Your graphic novel fans will eat this one up.
March 7, 2018
Canine Configuration Commence! This was a blast to read, a great mix of funny, silly, and smart. Opening line: "I am a litter box and this is my story!" Premise: two cats with dreams of being heroes, being all too aware that cats aren't seen as heroic and dogs nearly always are, team up as two halves of "Sparks!"--a "dog" that's really the cats in a robotic dog costume (one of them is a genius engineer and programmer--also responsible for the sentient litter box). Favorite bit of sly humor: the house of an evil alien family in human form has wall art that says "Live. Laugh. Love." and "FAMILY".
Humans--really all extras or cameos in this story (and none who really figure out that the "dog" is two cats, though some get inklings)--are portrayed with a wide range of skin tones (including one man in a turban, and what appears to be an interracial lesbian couple--just two gals on a couch with what seem to be their kids, not a random assortment of people). Very few reviews of Sparks! seem to be out there, or at least I hadn't seen many when I ordered it for my library, so I took a risk on it, as beefing up our graphic novel section is a collection priority. Now I'm buying a second copy for the library and one for my niece for her birthday. Good stuff.
Humans--really all extras or cameos in this story (and none who really figure out that the "dog" is two cats, though some get inklings)--are portrayed with a wide range of skin tones (including one man in a turban, and what appears to be an interracial lesbian couple--just two gals on a couch with what seem to be their kids, not a random assortment of people). Very few reviews of Sparks! seem to be out there, or at least I hadn't seen many when I ordered it for my library, so I took a risk on it, as beefing up our graphic novel section is a collection priority. Now I'm buying a second copy for the library and one for my niece for her birthday. Good stuff.
March 31, 2021
The big winner from this week's library haul. I have now read it so many times to my Kindergartener that I can recount the all aspects of the plotline from memory. She can't get enough of August and Charlie.
March 24, 2018
He thought it was awesome and refused to send it back to the library.
August 11, 2018
For your Dog Man and Cat Kid fans that need more books!
May 18, 2019
Funny and adorable and surprisingly awesome when it comes to anxiety. I can see a lot of kids loving this one.
July 30, 2019
When we finished it, James wanted to start it again immediately, so I guess that’s a pretty good indication of how much he liked it.
July 2, 2021
YAS!
Just...
YAS!
Just...
YAS!
February 4, 2026
super cute, made me laugh, the kids will definitely love it
May 25, 2018
This book had alot of action and was about 2 cats who tried to be a dog because dogs got way more attention than cats. They saved live because they had a mechanical dog suit they named sparks. I recommend this book to people who like graphic novels or cats
March 2, 2018
Everyone knows cats are aloof and self-centered. It's dogs who love passionately and just want to help. So when two laboratory-altered cats decide they enjoy helping people in need, they create a robotic dog suit to wear when doing so. However, superheroes--even superdogs--get notice, from both the media and bad guys, and unwelcome attention isn't always the best for helping buddies get along.
This fun story--narrated by a robotic litter box--has more character development and weight than might be expected from something with plenty of intentional silliness. Very well done.
This fun story--narrated by a robotic litter box--has more character development and weight than might be expected from something with plenty of intentional silliness. Very well done.
March 6, 2018
This graphic novel is bonkers, but in the best possible way. Two cats decide to become heroes. Since cats are not known for rescuing, they build a robotic dog suit as their disguise. Hilarious and ridiculous, kids are going to love this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews