Shockrockets: We Have Ignition - Softcover

Grade 10 Up–It's the latter half of the 21st century and Earth has just barely survived a desperate war against an alien species. Humankind starts the early stages of reconstruction as civilization teeters desperately on the precipice of chaos. Its greatest champions and peacekeepers are the Shockrockets, a team of elite fighter pilots who use stolen alien technology that they don't quite understand. They fight crime, curb violent rebellions, and even protect civilians during natural disasters. Alejandro Cruz, young pilot and mechanical genius, falls into the team by a freak accident. Their initial reluctance to accept an outsider alienates Cruz and places enormous pressure on him to prove himself. The duties of the Shockrockets increase dramatically when a general from the war forms his own faction. Intent on world domination, it launches attacks using technology that rivals the Shockrockets'. Cruz begins to unravel some of the secrets of the alien technology and transforms himself into a symbol of hope for the civilized world. Immonen's gleaming, colorful art works almost like a well-directed film, using panel styles and angles of view to enhance the tension during moments of action. But this story is more than undiluted action. Busiek brings the same touch of character he used in the "Astro City" series (DC Comics), making this title as much about Cruz's choices and challenges as about lasers and extreme fighter pilot moves. This well-detailed, well-thought-out title stands to rival many of today's better science-fiction novels.–Matthew L. Moffett, Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale

Gr. 9-12. In this graphic novel vision of 2087, Alejandro Cruz lives in a postwar world. An alien invasion has been averted but at a high cost, and people are rebuilding. Alejandro loves his family, but he doesn't want to get caught in the same dead-end jobs that his family members have had to take to survive. Then he accidentally becomes the newest pilot for the Shockrockets, the cream-of-the-crop, high-tech air squadron, and his entire life changes. Busiek successfully creates an atmosphere of youthful hope and optimism amid a postwar, futuristic world. Alejandro's struggles to find a place for himself not only among the Shockrockets but also in the world at large will strike a chord with readers, who will connect with the subtle characterizations that are ably articulated in expressive line work. Tina Coleman
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