SUPERTOWN

Can a young boy with a big imagination really save the day?

In a world where superheroes (and supervillains) exist, Wally Crenshaw lives in his tiny New Jersey town of Crumbly-by-the-Sea. Crumbly is a modern anomaly with its odd pattern of cell, internet, and cable services that are operational only two hours a day. Wally lives with his widowed mother and idolizes the Justice Brigade, dreaming of joining the team as the self-named superhero Whiz Kid. His imagination runs wild, and too many false calls have made local law enforcement regard him as an unreliable witness. When a villain known as the Accelerator is thought to be in Crumbly, Wally’s greatest fears and hopes are realized as both superheroes and feds converge. However, this small town may be hiding some very big secrets: Can Wally truly become a superhero and help his town? Kupperberg’s yarn is packed with twists and turns and a cinematic panache (and a healthy helping of action and high-tech gadgetry) that most comics fans will appreciate. However, the action can come across as derivative, seemingly taking cues from well-known franchise storylines. Wally’s characterization tends toward boilerplate: an underdog boy who ultimately achieves what he most desires, overcoming adversity through optimism. Wally and most of the characters default to White.

Well-trodden ground with a few fun surprises.