School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-8-Thirteen-year-old Eric Mattias is new to Xavier's Institute for Gifted Students, aka X Men training ground. (Though with the world's lamest mutant power, it is highly unlikely that he will ever become an X-Man.) For Eric, it is not just an exaggerated complaint or cry for attention when he says that no one notices him. He can scream his head off, be tripped over, sat on (even on a toilet), and still, no one would notice. The few perks to this anonymity include being able to write a tell-all blog without getting in trouble and shadowing lone hero Wolverine on his adventures. True, the very presence of Wolverine on the book's cover makes it an easy sell, but it is Eric's voice that will keep readers thoroughly absorbed in the story. Tempering his glib and at times laugh-out-loud observations on superhero behavior are Eric's feelings of loneliness and alienation brought about by his power. Individual comic panels that function as posted pictures on Eric's blog make this an amped-up, Marvel version of Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Abrams) that will simply fly off the shelves faster than Wolverine can retract his adamantium claws.-Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Star of summer blockbusters, several cartoon series, and 42 gajillion monthly comics, Wolverine may well be the most popular comic character ever. Lyga, who earned geek cred with The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl (2006), puts an anomalous tween spin on the feral hero in this tale of a 13-year-old with the world's lousiest mutant power: the ability to not be noticed. Beyond his control, the power serves as an effective metaphor for shyness and uncertainty, and told from the young mutant's point of view in blog format, the narrative explores age-appropriate issues such as fitting in at school (Xavier's super-mutant training school), approaching girls, and finding your strengths. Wolverine serves as a mystery man and mentor figure who imparts worthwhile and powerful advice at the story's end. While it all smacks a bit of pandering, it's a coming-of-age tale with bursts of action that's sure to appeal to its large, built-in audience. The book is backed up by a three-part comic series in which Wolverine takes a backseat to the tween superteam Power Pack.--Karp, Jesse Copyright 2009 Booklist
