Scrawny, almost friendless, and hopelessly crushing on the hottest girl in school, Angel Tomassini knows he's one of the biggest nerds around. But when the jocks take their hallway intimidation games a little too far, they unleash a powerful spirit heretofore hidden inside Angel. Now he's on the run with no one to trust, barely able to keep from shape-shifting into a giant lethal tiger. If that weren't enough, he discovers he's one of the last good guys in a war that's been building for centuries, and now it's up to him to keep the bad guys from winning. This classic underdog story combines a likable protagonist and top-notch artwork for a solidly satisfying read. Several major plotlines weigh the story down, but Ozanam keeps things fresh by combining unexpected elements. Jurion's artwork is exceptionally strong: nuanced expressions capture a range of emotions, the fight scenes are dynamic and tense, and the saturated blue and orange color work heightens the moody tone. Recommended for readers looking for something beyond the usual superhero fare.

Gr 7 Up-Mild-mannered Chicagoland teen Angel Tomassini is not what you'd call lucky. His father, who's in the highly competitive fish market, has made some enemies and wants to protect his son, so Angel has his own driver, Dan. But Angel is a bully magnet and has zero luck with the ladies, especially with one girl in particular, Lisa. His luck begins to turn around, then upside down, when he learns that his father's business is actually a front for the mob and Dan is from an ancient line of shape-shifters and can turn into a tiger. And Angel, despite his lack of prowess in other areas, seems to possess some of these powers. As he trains with Dan and learns the ancient Zodiac-based magic, the teen resolves to use his newfound powers to take down the mob and try to score a date with Lisa. Tinged with magic and heavy on the violence, this is a classic superhero origin story in its truest form, elevated by complex ancient magic and government conspiracies. While Ozenam and Jurion weave a complex and often hard-to-follow web, superhero devotees will joyfully untangle it. The illustrations have an anime feel, with dynamic action filling the frames of the comic's many fight scenes. The tiger transformations are particularly stunning. VERDICT This gorgeous work will appeal mostly to die-hard superhero fans. Anna Murphy, Berkeley Carroll School, Brooklyn, NY