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Book Information

Title: Detention of Doom – Secret Hero Society

Author: Derek Fridolfs and Dustin Nguyen

Series: Yes – Book #4

Rating: 4 out of 5

Genres: Graphic Novel, Superhero (DC), Action and Adventure, Mystery, Humor

Publisher & Published Date: Scholastic Inc. 2019, 175 pages

Book Summary

“The fourth adventure in the Secret Hero Society series starring middle school Clark Kent (Superman), Arthur Curry (Aquaman), Bruce Wayne (Batman), and Diana Prince (Wonder Woman)! An all-new adventure illustrated by new artist Pamela Lovas! Clark Kent (Superman), Bruce Wayne (Batman), and Diana Prince (Wonder Woman) are starting a new school year at Justice Prep. This semester, everyone is focusing on their science projects: Principal James Gordon announced that the winner of the upcoming science fair gets an all-inclusive trip to the new S.T.A.R. Laboratories space facility. As the fair draws closer, the students receive a text message from a mysterious, untraceable number saying: "if you help me, I can help YOU win the science fair!" Just who is behind this mystery number, and what do they have to do with the science fair? It's up to Clark, Diana, and Bruce's Junior Detectives Club to find out! With appearances from fan favorites like Arthur Curry and Lex Luthor, plus all-new characters including Black Manta and Professor Zoom, this hilarious newest chapter in the Secret Hero Society saga is not to be missed!”

Book Review

The novel begins with Clark, Bruce, and Diana starting school at the newly reformed Justice Preparatory Academy (previously Ducard Academy). While almost everything has changed for the better, not everything is positive. The students start receiving cryptic and threatening messages from the Mystery Eye, and accidents happen around the school. It's up to our heroes to come together and solve the mystery.

The Big Three are still the main characters, but Barry, Oliver, Arthur, and Victor are in more prominent roles. The novel's world expands while developing Clark, Diana, and Bruce as individuals and a team. There's even a little joke at the beginning that the group is getting big enough to need a secret headquarters, foreshadowing the Hall of Justice or the Watchtower, perhaps? We're also back to Clark's point-of-view for Science Fair Crisis, and I love it. I think the main reason it's so fun is how they tie elements of Superman mythology into the story. There's the excellent Lois Lane (whoo-hoo!) and her friendship with Clark, his struggle of being an alien trying to fit in with humanity, and Clark working as a reporter for the school newspaper. I don't know how many stories the creators have in mind for this series, but I love the development of the kids slowly growing into the heroes of legend we know them as today.

The humor and friendship between the characters are also strong points of the book. Some examples include: Lois calling Clark "Smallville" and "farm boy," Clark struggling to keep up with her determination for all the stories, Barry being the loveable dork that we all love, or Bruce being jealous of Clark spending a ton of time with Lois. It's all, so fun to see the different personalities interact. We also get to see core elements of their personalities, from Clark refusing to be swayed from his morals or seeing the best in everyone to Bruce being naturally suspicious, pragmatic, and realistic. And, of course, the compassionate yet bad-ass Diana being the middle ground between the two.

While some parts of the story are confusing and lesser-known elements brought in that readers might not know, this book is still an excellent continuation of the Secret Hero Society story. It's fun, intriguing, and full of great character moments. Although I love reading the books from Clark's and Bruce's perspectives, I would love to see future installments from other characters' perspectives. Fingers crossed for the next one!

Memorable Quotes

“Just remember, if you do end up winning the competition, then you owe me the exclusive interview. Until then, you just owe me lunch.” – Lois to Clark

“And why is it when something goes wrong, you assume I’m responsible?” – Lex

“Because you usually are.” – Clark

“What’s wrong?” – Diana

“It’s Clark. He’s eating with Lois and not with us. He’s not taking this seriously.” – Bruce

“Are you jealous?” – Diana

“What?! No, of course not! I don’t like her or the newspaper. It’s tabloid trash and now he’s a part of it.” – Bruce

“You’re jealous that Clark has interests outside of our group. He has a life, too. We all do.” – Diana

“Zee, can you cast a spell on Clark to…” – Bruce

“No!” – Diana

“Ugh! Then what good is having a magician on the team?” – Bruce