Disney's Hero Squad: Ultraheroes: Race for the Ultrapods

Mickey Mouse and Eega Beaver have assembled "the greatest team of Disney superheroes ever" to take on evil Emil Eagle and his Sinister 7. The seven are trying to capture Ultrapods, components of the devastating Ultramachine. From their command center at Villa Rose, Mickey and Eega watch as duck versions of familiar superheroes—Super Daisy, the Red Bat, and the Duck Avenger, among others—battle members of the Sinister 7. Each team has a trick up its sleeve that could turn the balance of power its way. Along with two "origin stories" for Super Goof and the Red Bat, this collection feels like the Disney comics of a bygone age—but with some new bells and whistles for the next generation of comics lovers. It has the feel of traditional Disney story elements, with a case of mistaken identity in the Red Bat origin story and several "creative" weapons in the main story—including a banana-peel gun and cyborg telemarketers. A subplot involves Donald and Daisy Duck, not realizing each is a superhero, wooing each other as their hero selves while breaking up with each other as their regular selves. Ages 9–12. (Oct.)