Synopsis Review
Heroic Shenanigans is a very kid-friendly webcomic produced by Florida-based graphic designer, Haley Martin. It narrates the experiences of super-powered kids at the highly-selective Camp Kapow. The camp's mission follows the standard trope of training youngsters with special abilities to use their powers for good rather than evil (e.g., Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, et al). In the case of Camp Kapow, the specific end goal is for the campers to earn their "hero license." Central figures are the overachieving (and somewhat precocious) speedster Henry ; Kate, the self-conscious pyrokinetic ; and the exceedingly quiet wall-flower-with-super-senses, Emily.Since launching the comic (just a little over a year ago), Martin has completed a prologue and three chapters and is in process on the fourth. Though the art is more cartoony and has much less in the way of backgrounds than I prefer, she has seeded a number of sub-plots that I'm interested to see play out. Chief among these is the true aim of Desmond, son of a former hero-turned-villain Charismatic camp counselor, Zenithal Zephyr supposedly pulled a "Harry Potter" when--as a camper--he uncovered and thwarted a plot by Desmond's father to "take...out [the campers] before they became strong enough to oppose his villainous ways."
Sustainability - 4
Martin's been faithfully banging out these pages for over a year. She regularly posts and appears to have a focused story she's unfolding.
Language - 5
HS is a very family-friendly comic in terms of language. I wouldn't have any concerns about letting little kids read it.
Violence - 5
Similar to the language rating, there's nothing to worry about here. To be honest, I'd prefer a little more action/violence than what Martin has given us so far. Sexuality - 5
As with Language and Violence, there's so far been nothing to worry about on this friend. HS is, thus far, an extremely G-rated production.
Political Leanings -3
For the most part, there's no real political agenda evident in HS. (Which is a statement that shouldn't be as shockingly refreshing in the world of comics as it is).
Morality - 5
To this point, the moral messages of the comic seem pretty solid. If anything, I'd appreciate a bit more action and bit less (or at least less obvious) moralizing...but that's really a little thing to critique. Martin's characters role model common interpersonal problems. Henry is ambitious and eager to please. He means well, but his singular focus sometimes interferes with his ability to slow down and listen. Emily is the picture of "quiet waters running deep." She has a lot to contribute, but has to learn some self-confidence and actually speak up in order for others to actually benefit from her insights. Kate puts up a tough front to compensate for her own insecurities and self-doubt. She has to learn to overcome that...to trust enough to drop the walls sometimes so that other can help.
To this point, the moral messages of the comic seem pretty solid. If anything, I'd appreciate a bit more action and bit less (or at least less obvious) moralizing...but that's really a little thing to critique. Martin's characters role model common interpersonal problems. Henry is ambitious and eager to please. He means well, but his singular focus sometimes interferes with his ability to slow down and listen. Emily is the picture of "quiet waters running deep." She has a lot to contribute, but has to learn some self-confidence and actually speak up in order for others to actually benefit from her insights. Kate puts up a tough front to compensate for her own insecurities and self-doubt. She has to learn to overcome that...to trust enough to drop the walls sometimes so that other can help.
Artwork - 1
The artwork is the weakest part of the comic. It's extremely cartoony...minimal backgrounds and occasionally pretty bad anatomy (though that's, admittedly, rare). Of course, everyone doesn't have the same taste in artwork. If you're looking for something with more of a light, innocent, look HS might be right up your alley.
Storytelling - 2.5
I agonized a bit over the storytelling rating. Martin's work isn't bad....but neither is it really exceptional. It may be heading that direction (I can certainly see some potential for real interesting stuff with the Deluca - Zenithal backstory.) but for right now, a 2.5 is the best rating I can justify.
Overall Rating - 3.8
The artwork is the weakest part of the comic. It's extremely cartoony...minimal backgrounds and occasionally pretty bad anatomy (though that's, admittedly, rare). Of course, everyone doesn't have the same taste in artwork. If you're looking for something with more of a light, innocent, look HS might be right up your alley.
Storytelling - 2.5
I agonized a bit over the storytelling rating. Martin's work isn't bad....but neither is it really exceptional. It may be heading that direction (I can certainly see some potential for real interesting stuff with the Deluca - Zenithal backstory.) but for right now, a 2.5 is the best rating I can justify.
Overall Rating - 3.8
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