… as you are about to be eclipsed in the world of youth titles!

Seeking a change of pace and a more humorous read than Boom’s latest offering, I picked up Image’s new release – Gladstone’s School For World Conquerors; and I am pleased to report I was not disappointed.

The title is pretty self-explanatory as to the setting of the story, written by Mark Andrew Smith and illustrated by Armand Villavert. With it’s tongue stuck firmly in it’s cheek, we are treated to the history of the School, a dedication to one man’s repeated failure, and slowly we meet the pupils.

Without endless exposition, we learn many important facts about the students in a manner that is both natural and fun, and I found myself really warming to these junior homicidal maniacs and tyrants. After all, villains are people too! Or rather in this case, are spoilt little kids with security issues!

The plotlines left dangling vary between the subtle and the not so subtle, such as what is the true secret between major super hero battles. Merging the style of Invincible (although it’s no relation) with elements of The Boys (or rather an imaginary family-friendly version), it is well paced and fun. The only time I have seen a villain school (the Hellfire Club’s Hellions not withstanding) that I came to care about was with Faux DC’s ‘Higher Learning’ title; but this one has pictures!

With Fear Itself covering the Marvel Universe, and the DCU about to undergo renovation with Flashpoint, some light relief is needed; I recommend this title as the antidote.