{"id":4394,"date":"2010-10-19T06:45:19","date_gmt":"2010-10-19T10:45:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/onceuponageek.com\/?p=4394"},"modified":"2010-10-17T02:18:48","modified_gmt":"2010-10-17T06:18:48","slug":"power-pack-digests","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/onceuponageek.com\/wordpress\/2010\/10\/19\/power-pack-digests\/","title":{"rendered":"Power Pack Digests – Something for Everyone"},"content":{"rendered":"

Looking for some good clean superhero fun?\u00a0 Then give the Power Pack<\/em> digests a try!<\/p>\n

\"Power<\/p>\n

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If you’re not familiar with Power Pack<\/em><\/a>, they are a team of super-powered siblings ranging in age from 5 to 12.\u00a0 They first appeared in 1984, but Marvel started a new series of adventures five years ago featuring Power Pack<\/em> in their “All Ages” range of books.\u00a0 There have been eleven Power Pack<\/em> mini-series in the “All Ages” range, each reprinted in digest format.<\/p>\n

These Power Pack<\/em> stories are pure and simple fun!\u00a0 You can’t help but love these kids!\u00a0 Alex the brave big brother; Julie the book smart older sister; Jack the smart alec younger brother; and Katie the impulsive baby of the group.\u00a0 The kids come across as genuine and endearing, rather than grating on your nerves like some child characters. The label “All Ages” really applies here.\u00a0 Kids from age 6 through 100 can enjoy these books.\u00a0 Several years ago I started reading these digests to my step-son before he could read himself.\u00a0 I’d often find him pouring over these digests looking at the pictures trying to relive the adventures.\u00a0 Now he’s 11 years old and enjoys reading the digests himself.\u00a0 Whenever a new one comes out, he ravenously rips through it.\u00a0 Heck, I enjoy reading these digests!<\/p>\n

Each digest is a stand alone story.\u00a0 You don’t have to buy all the previous books to understand what’s going on.\u00a0 Most digests guest-star a popular Marvel character or team. Often the story is timed to coincide with the release of a related film (i.e. the Power Pack\/Thor<\/em> digest just came out and the Thor <\/em>film is on the horizon).\u00a0 The coordination with the films provides a nice link for kids.\u00a0 For younger children that may not be old enough to see the Marvel films, these digests at least expose them to the characters.\u00a0 They see all the merchandise on TV and in the stores, so they’re naturally curious about the heroes.\u00a0 For the older kids that can see the Marvel films, these digests serve as a primer so they know the basics of the characters.\u00a0 For grown-ups, these digests are fun adventures with some favorite characters, but without the angst or event fatigue.<\/p>\n

The majority of these digests have been written by either Marc Sumerak or Fred Van Lente, and drawn by Gurihiru.\u00a0 Sumerak and Van Lente both do an excellent job conveying the innocence, exuberance, and sheer sense of fun these characters possess.\u00a0 Gurihiru’s art has hints of Manga styling, but the crisp lines and vibrant colors make these books work.<\/p>\n

If you have children ages 6-13, I urge you to pick up these digests.\u00a0 You can order them from your local comic shop.\u00a0 Your children will love them, it will get them reading, and they’ll discover the wonder of superhero comic books.<\/p>\n

To be fair, I’ll admit that I’m biased.\u00a0 I bought Power Pack<\/em> #1 off the shelf back in 1984 and collected it for years.\u00a0 I enjoyed the adventures of these children when I was 11 years old.\u00a0 25 years later and my own 11 year old is thrilling to their adventures.\u00a0 That makes this old geek happy.<\/p>\n

\"Power<\/p>\n

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