Melvin Beederman is a recent graduate of a superhero academy. He was near the top of his class, but he has trouble flying. Not flying itself, but starting to fly. It usually takes him 5 tries to get off the ground. And he has an assistant superhero, she didn’t go to the superhero academy, but is fearless and helps Melvin a lot. Greg Trine has created a funny superhero series that plays with the genre and makes it exciting for younger kids.

Not only does Melvin have problems starting to fly, but his weakness is bologna and his powers are in his cape. That’s how he got his assistant Candace Brinkwater, they shared part of the cape. Melvin is more of a thinking superhero, that where he excels. He can do some of the physical deeds, but thinking is what makes him a success. He is also teaching Candace. Not only how to be a superhero, but about math as well. Candace has some problems with math. But, with her cape, she can run the 100 yard dash in 3 seconds and has scored 500 points in a basketball game.

Melvin also has a pet rat named Hugo, an arch-enemy and a city to clean up, since Los Angeles hasn’t had a super hero since Kareen Abdul Jabbar. The McNasty family not only smells bad, but they do bad deeds as well and Melvin often has to clean up after them. Melvin and Candace also talk to the narrator occasionally, breaking the fourth wall in a fun manner.  Melvin isn’t gross out comedy like Captain Underpants, but a more gentle humor that 5-10 year olds will love. With Candace and Melvin, the series will be appreciated by boys and girls. Highly recommended.