By Leroy Douresseaux
September 14, 2008 - 20:52
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Action/Comedy; Rated “A” for “All Ages”
Bratz is a popular doll franchise launched by MGA Entertainment, Inc. in 2001. These girl dolls are known for their big heads, thick lips, and small (almost non-existent noses). They’ve been spun off into clothing lines and various media (including a film and TV), and now they’re a TOKYOPOP OEL manga (original English language manga, with “manga” being Japanese comics). Bratz: Super-Bratz finds the Bratz playing superhero at a special school.
The characters that make up the four primary Bratz: Sasha, Yasmin, Cloe, and Jade have just discovered that they have super powers. An Internet search reveals a special school where they can develop their powers, the Center for Extraordinary Abilities. The quartet fits right in at their new school, but, then the girls discover that some of their classmates are willing to destroy the school to enhance their own powers. Now, the Super-Bratz must band together with new classmates and new friends to save the Center for Extraordinary Abilities.
THE LOWDOWN: There is something a little special here in Bratz: Super-Bratz. Bratz actually works as a superhero comic book. It may be at best mildly entertaining to an adult (like me), but this concept, as written by Christine Peymani, is well-developed enough to warrant at least a sequel. Artist Anthony Tan draws these manga Bratz so that they look like the Bratz dolls and visually fit in with the rest of this multi-media, multi-platform franchise. Ultimately, Bratz: Super-Bratz is like a Johnny DC or Marvel Adventures title – superheroes for the kiddie set.
POSSIBLE AUDIENCE: For preteen readers, and this group may indeed enjoy reading this kind of superhero comic book.
B-