Legend of the Mantamaji: Book 2
Diverse superhero saga ups ante with mystical villains.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Legend of the Mantamaji: Book 2 by Eric Dean Seaton and illustrated by Brandon Palas is a superhero graphic novel that features an ethnically diverse cast of characters. There are many violent scenes involving handguns, swords, and magical beams of energy. Sexual content is limited to flirting and one party scene featuring bikini-clad guests. Villains drink alcohol at the party. "Hell" and "piss" are used one or two times.
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What's the Story?
After his mother is killed, New York City Assistant District Attorney Elijah Alexander vows revenge on charismatic cult leader Brother Hope and his gang of criminals, the New World Knights. Elijah accepts that he's the last of the Mantamaji, an order of mystical knights that wield both magic and technology. With the assistance of Noah, another of the few surviving Mantamaji, Elijah directly confronts the evil, mystical warriors who have pledged their allegiance to Brother Hope, now revealed to be Sirach, who betrayed his race more than three millennia ago. But Sirach has assistance from four formidable allies, and it looks as if Noah, Elijah, and his girlfriend Sydney may have met their match.
Is It Any Good?
THE LEGEND OF THE MANTAMAJI: BOOK 2 suffers from its excesses: too much dialogue, too many similar fight scenes, and a too-complicated backstory that keeps growing in complexity. The story is best when it keeps things simple, such as when it introduces a new rogue's gallery of villains to face off against Elijah and Noah. Those scenes capture the aggressive appeal of classic superhero comics. This installment ends in a cliffhanger that promises new twists in the concluding volume.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why superhero sagas are popular with so many readers. What is it about the genre that appeals to readers?
Do you think that comic book superheroes are sufficiently diverse? How are people of color portrayed in popular graphic novels?
Book Details
- Author: Eric Dean Seaton
- Illustrator: Brandon Palas
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Superheroes, Adventures
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: And...Action! Entertainment
- Publication date: December 10, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 9 - 17
- Number of pages: 178
- Available on: Paperback, Nook, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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