Zoe Dare vs. The Disasteroid #1 –
Action Lab Entertainment
Written by Brockton McKinney
Illustrated by Andrew Herman
Remember the cartoon we used to watch back in the 70s and 80s? We love them because they are from our childhood, and there were plenty that definitely stand the test of time. Then there are those that, when we look back, we wonder why we thought they were so great. Well…because they were made for the age we were at the time. When daredevil Zoe Dare is sent off the track and onto a lifesaving mission, I was definitely taken back to those very cartoons. Now let’s find out of it’s boom or bust for this Action Lab title.
Certain things are pretty obvious when you start reading this book. Zoe is a bit of a loose cannon, but she surrounds herself with a family dynamic that helps keep her in line and focused. Something happens very early on between Zoe and her sister Danni (who runs the tech side) that tells you a lot about their dynamic. They also have two robots, but other than an attempt at comic relief, I didn’t find that they had much of a purpose. We also find out around the middle of the issue who the big bad is and why Zoe is needed for this mission. There is also an extra added conflict, which won’t make the task any easier. The start of the mission is pretty much where this issue ends.
I will admit, at first I was not a fan of this book. The writing seemed a bit too predictable, the humor just didn’t work for me and there were a few characters I felt were unnecessary. About halfway though I realized, this book isn’t being written for me. Just like some of the cartoons from my youth, that I just can’t see the same way as an adult, this book is for a younger audience who needs it to be the way that it is. It’s clean, it’s easy to follow and the art is very pleasant. It very much reads like a short run, animated series from about 25 years ago. There are just enough unanswered questions to keep younger readers interested, and Zoe definitely carries herself as the leader of this story. This is a book your kids around the age of 10 and up may enjoy, but maybe by those who enjoy the extreme sport and/or stuntwoman niche. Hard to rate this one, but for the right reader, it’s worth a look.
RATING: PICK UP