Review by Frank Plowright

Gene Luen Yang continues his spotlights of the Jazzypickleton Cucumbers with a look at Launchpad, the team’s resident golem. Despite the fearsome reputation of golems and his size and hard rocky exterior, Sonny, who in fact doesn’t much care for his nickname, is a sensitive sort, although likes his team-mates very much. Right from the beginning Yang elicits sympathy for Sunny by running his articulate thoughts alongside the limited vocal communication his form permits.

It’s not immediately noticeable that The Books of Clash has a new artist, although Les McClaine is back for Vol. 4. In the meantime, though, Kendall Goode lives up to his name by being just as diligent as Vol. 2 in filling the pages with characters and action, and if anyone’s ever standing still, it’s only briefly. His version of the cast are essentially McClaine’s, though, as consistency is important for younger readers.

Early on there’s a disaster when Sonny is split into two smaller versions of himself. One is the compassionate and thoughtful Sonny not much different from the personality we know, while the other combines his aggression and resentment, and, all in all, isn’t a very pleasant chap. However, he closely resembles Sonny, so will his team-mates be able to tell the difference? That forms the crux of this volume, with his alleged pal Zeke not looking at all good as he plain ignores Sonny’s protests about his nickname and their method of working.

This is another enjoyable Book of Clash with a point to make about friendship requiring understanding and not picking on people just because they’re different, but Yang more routinely resorts to regular fantasy tropes, and the surprises are fewer. Because this is a good-natured series everything is resolved by the end for younger readers, but it’s a little too easy.