Who knows everything there is to know about Batman? Ernest would argue that it is he does. He is without question, the
world’s biggest Batman fan and his knowledge spans far further than just Batman facts. He also knows everything there is to know about all superhero and villian related characters and special powers. He is so immersed in this world that it often takes over his life and leads to crazy adventures.
Ernest is a hilariously dramatic boy who loves to explore and talk about fighting bad guys. The story starts off with Ernest’s babysitter, Harriet having to save him from the top of an extremely tall towering cabinet. It’s a dangerous situation, or so it seems, until Harriet comes into the room and “saves” him from what turns out to be a very short nightstand.
This story is filled with comical events similar to this in which we get to see a situation from a child’s perspective, Ernest’s, which often turn out to be far less dramatic and dangerous than they initially seem. It’s as if you are seeing a child’s imagination unfold before your eyes as Ernest, his best friend Jack, and his dog Fido set out in secret identities to stop crime and save the world. All of this is brought back to reality in a very funny fashion by their babysitter Harriet.
The artwork is fun, colorful and simple. There isn’t a whole lot of detail in the characters and the backgrounds, which works well for this type of story. Full page images are thrown in throughout pages with typical comic book style panels adding a lot more variety for the reader. It’s a fast read with a lot of humor thrown in everywhere which is included in the artwork itself. Kids will certainly enjoy the funny bits sprinkled throughout the panels.
Overall, this is a surprisingly great graphic novel. Stick with this book all the way through to the end. Author Jim Benton does a great job of tying the entire work together by connecting small things from the start of the story to the ending creating a very satisfying and interesting conclusion that readers will delight in. Benton has constructed a fast paced story with lots of humor and happenings to keep young readers glued to the story. This will be a fun read that’s easy to keep even reluctant readers interred piqued.
Fann Club: Batman Squad: The Justiest Justice of All
By Jim Benton
DC, 2023
ISBN: 9781779508898
NFNT Age Recommendation: Middle Grade (7-11)
