Kirkus Reviews

Could identical twins be less identical? If these two can't work together, Earth is in trouble!Jeremy, a little white boy who always wears red, has a pretty stinkish life. His parents are always telling him what to do, and they never buy him toy weapons…even though all his friends have them. His teacher, Ms. Droning, is forever on his case to listen and do his homework. Then there's Justin, his identical twin, who always wears blue, who's always walking around with his face being perfect and nerdy. Justin thinks his life is pretty stinkish, too; Jeremy's always breaking Justin's toys and trying to get Justin to do his homework, and Jeremy never wants to play together. When a magic ring falls into Jeremy's hands and grants his wish to live out his favorite video game, "Cosmic Commandos," he battles his way through the real-life levels with maybe a hint or two from Justin (who's so boring he reads the game manual). But can Jeremy beat the final level and save the world alone? Author/illustrator and comics artist Eliopoulos bases his graphic novel on his own identical twin sons, and the reality of their relationship shines through the sci-fi-light tale with its silly villain (named Skorn) and copious action and plentiful jokes. Even if the comic versions of Jeremy and Justin don't have further adventures, readers will look for Eliopoulos' next venture into kids' comics with anticipation. (Graphic adventure. 7-10)

ALA Booklist (Tue Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

According to Jeremy, his life is rather "stinkish," what with mean parents, boring school, and a too-perfect identical twin. Even when Jeremy finds a wish-granting ring in a box of cereal, gives himself the powers of his favorite video game character, Cosmic Commando, and uses them to face down the school bully, things don't lighten up much. It turns out this is because Jeremy is a selfish jerk. Inadvertently having wished the full video game world into existence, along with all its enemies and dangers, Jeremy still refuses his brother's help, stubbornly plowing into battle with dunderheaded bravado. Amid the cool video game-inspired antics, Eliopoulos crafts an emotionally complex and satisfying story, granting both brothers legitimate perspectives and grievances in surprising ways. If it culminates predictably in Jeremy's inevitable recognition of his brother's strengths and value, allowing for a climactic team-up, it still gives young readers, especially those with siblings, something substantial to consider. Eliopoulos' Charles Schultz-inspired cartooning, with balloon-headed characters and popping colors, keeps the action light and zippy even when the emotions run high.

School Library Journal (Sat Jul 01 00:00:00 CDT 2017)

Gr 3-6Jeremy and Justin are twins, but while Justin is cautious and adheres to the rules, Jeremy is more of a rebel and resents his brother's very existence. A toy ring in a cereal box gives Jeremy the powers of a video game character, and reasoning that he needs to do everything possible to protect the planet, he decides to stop following the rules. Justin, meanwhile, pores over the game's guide, worried about the potentially grave outcomes. Jeremy brushes him off. Eliopoulos, illustrator of the "Ordinary People Change the World" series, continues to evoke Bill Watterson's Calvin & Hobbes here, heavily leaning on the specter of Calvin's Spaceman Spiff alter ego. However, while Spiff was Watterson's excuse to illustrate lush vistas, Eliopoulos rarely achieves dynamic visuals, frequently concentrating on small, concrete moments, which serve to humanize the narrative but also slow it down considerably, as does the video game exposition. Jeremy's self-aggrandizing and self-pitying attitude may put off some readers. There are few consequences for the characters' actions, with damage disappearing and memories fading, except in one key instance, which feels unsatisfying. VERDICT An additional purchase for patrons who may grow up to enjoy fantastic tales of sibling rivalry such as William Sleator's Singularity or Doug TenNapel's Power Up.Benjamin Russell, Belmont High School, NH

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

In a graphic novel that balances near-nonstop action with a testy sibling relationship, it takes an intergalactic invasion to bring together twins Jeremy and Justin. Grouchy Jeremy loves video games, hates school, and wants nothing to do with his brother, whereas Justin loves school, enjoys reading, and wants to be part of Jeremy-s life. When a toy ring from a cereal box unlocks magical powers for Jeremy, he becomes Earth-s defender against the bosses from one of his video games, Cosmic Commandos. But he-ll need Justin-s help to beat them, whether he likes it or not. Eliopoulos-s chunky linework and the squat proportions of his young heroes evoke Bill Watterson-s Calvin and Hobbes strip (as well as Eliopoulous-s own Ordinary People Change the World series), and diehard comics fans will appreciate the references he sneaks in to Peanuts, Garfield, and Jarrett J. Krosoczka-s Lunch Lady series. Small details (Jeremy-s unibrow, their color-coded outfits) differentiate the brothers, and Eliopoulos stuffs the story with a little bit of something for everyone, from evil robots and gelatinous blobs to nagging parents. Ages 8-12. Agent: Jodi Reamer, Writers House. (July)