Zodiac #1 The Zodiac Legacy: Convergence

Presenting Zodiac #1 The Zodiac Legacy: Convergence by Stan Lee, Stuart Moore & Andie Tong.

Here is the summary of the book:

Stan Lee presents a brand new, magical, super-powered adventure!

When twelve magical superpowers are unleashed on the world, a Chinese-America teenager named Steven will be thrown into the middle of an epic global chase. He'll have to master strange powers, outrun super-powered mercenaries, and unlock the mysterious powers of the Zodiac.

Stan Lee ..... who doesn't know the man that created so many of the popular mainstream superheroes of Marvel that we see today. Presenting something a bit more mystical. Partnered with Stuart Moore and Andie Tong, this is the first illustrated novel of the middle grade series called 'The Zodiac Legacy: Convergence'.

The Chinese zodiac isn't just symbols and meanings, it is a power onto itself and people, good or bad are after it. This is the story of young Steven Lee who goes to Hong Kong for a heritage tour with his class but winds up discovering a mystical power and a very dangerous enemy as well. The Chinese zodiac is frighteningly real and all of its spirit animals frighteningly awesome. And the nemesis Maxwell and his group called Vanguard prove to be more than efficient adversaries in their pursuit of this power.

So Steven, Jasmine and Carlos must find the four other individuals in whom the escaped Zodiac energy entered and keep them away from the evil of Vanguard. A pretty generic superhero team origin story. The style of writing also seems much more attuned for middle graders and very simple to follow for all ages as well, to enjoy a good old adventure.

The biggest attention grabber is definitely the red washed comic styled illustrations to go along with the narrative. As well as the beautifully illustrated hardcover jacket showing the tiger, which is Steven's Zodiac. 'Course I expected the characters to be a bit more complex instead of the straightforward way they are presented but I immediately grew vested int he journey of all the Zodiacs as thy grew to be a team in their maiden battle. Hopefully subsequent books will feature more than what we saw. Good start though.

"New thrill-seeking, page-turner romp from Stan Lee and Co."

Genre :     Young Adult, Action, Adventure, Middle Grade, Mythology, Superheroes

Publisher: Disney Press

Release Date: 27th January, 2015

My Copy: bought (hardcover)

Rate:             3/5 (Liked It)

Buy:         Amazon | Book Depository