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Reviewed by
A.R.K. Watson
In the last volume, Max stole his robot prototype from his engineering school when he realized that his professor and a local crime boss were going to use it to steal things from people’s homes. In retaliation, his mother was kidnapped. In this second volume, Max dons the silver helmet he fashioned from his robot to rescue his mother, but escaping the trail of the gangsters proves to be more complicated than he had hoped.Â
Family is at the center of this story. Max’s devotion to his mother and the inspiration that her love and trust gives him form the moral heart of his motivation. While on the run from the gangsters, he and his mom seek refuge with an uncle and aunt and their seven children. Where other comic book heroes have them tackling the bad guys, lone-ranger style, Max leans on his family ties to give him strength.Â
There are a few minor plot points that are weak. While donning armor certainly helps him against the gangster’s bullets, I’m confused as to why we don’t see Max using his robot in this volume at all. It is a short excerpt though; perhaps that plot thread will reappear. Although that may be a point that only rabid sci-fi fans will care about. Your average middle grade and superhero fan will barely notice.
An armored superhero with engineering skills will inevitably draw readers to think of Iron Man, but Max is almost the antithesis of Iron Man. Tony Stark struggles with pride, arrogance and self-centeredness, but Max is a consummate saint. Stark prefers to go it alone, or if he works with a team, he is the one pulling all the strings. Max, in contrast, surrounds himself with family, listens to his mother and uncle, and engages with his younger cousins. This might be a turn-off for older, more cynical readers. However, for young readers who thirst for heroes, this will be a fun and fast page-turner. Although readers should be warned that the cliffhanger ending leaves you on tenterhooks for the next volume.Â
At the back of the comic are a few pages detailing parts of St. Maximilian Kolbe’s life, especially his devotion to Mary as our Holy Mother. Voyage Comics once again proves itself the best source for Catholic superhero comic books with this volume, and should be a staple in Church and Catholic school libraries.Â
