Thai American Matt Braly, creator of Disney's Amphibia animated series, debuts with the marvelously energetic Family Force V. Chinese American character designer Ainsworth Lin vividly illustrates Braly's kaiju-filled contemporary Los Angeles.
"Decades ago, alien invaders attacked Tokyo." Their "demonic appearance" earned them the moniker the Mazoku, meaning devil tribe. The universe sent mankind the "Moon Computer [which] gifted five young Japanese siblings incredible powers" that transformed them into "the Moon Troopers." The Mazoku spread, and the original five Moon Troopers scattered to helm new divisions worldwide. Fifteen-year-old Maise belongs to the L.A. branch, led by her father, Ken, "a real 'honor and duty' kinda guy." Her mother, the daughter of Thai immigrants, excels at this superhero life, and her younger twins, Axl and Alex, are small but impressively mighty. Only Maise is reluctant about her inherited identity, racking up six tardies (just this month) to life-and-death situations. "I keep telling you guys," she says to her angry parents, "I don't want this responsibility." Her father insists, "you don't always get to choose your responsibilities--sometimes they choose you." His final words to her the next day will both haunt and motivate her "to be the best Moon Trooper the world's ever seen."
Braly is a brilliant storyteller who impressively balances family drama, teenage independence, and social interactions with plenty of fantastical adventure. Lin gives the narrative fabulous shape and form; his marvelous full-color art highlights distinct, expressive characterizations, including Maise's beanie with the power on/off symbol, and even a nod to L.A.'s elderly Asian women with their overly wide-brimmed hats. Audiences will surely be ready and waiting for Book Two. --Terry Hong