The Prophecy of Four

The Prophecy of Four has begun. Everywhere the scientists look, the number fours are lining up, and civilization, as we know it, will be destroyed. Meanwhile, the fearful demon Kastaro, will rise again to rule the earth. Superhero Jon Le Bon is sent on a mission to Redlands, home of the most feared people in the universe. He must meet the Spectres to retrieve their book. The Spectres believe the book gives them the power to raise the demon Kastaro and take over the world. Earth must be saved, and that book will save the day. So Jon Le Bon dresses in disguise and off he goes on a most bizzare mission to retrieve the book. He faces the spectres and the Club of Rebels. Finally he meets Big Beaver, a well-known bad guy, and he also meets his father who Jon believed was dead. A happy ending?? Not quite. Big Beaver has big ideas for the future…..and the next book.

Alex A. has written and illustrated a graphic novel with many strange characters and lots of adventure. Super Agent Jon Le Bon is a mild-mannered, intelligent superhero who finds it very difficult to be unkind, but, when a job needs to be done, he’s the man for the job. Readers will also meet Miss Martha, Billy, WXT and Noah to name a few of the wacky characters that live on the pages of this graphic novel. The age range was noted as 8 + on Alex A’s website, but some of the vocabulary may be a bit difficult for the average reader. However, these novels are beautifully illustrated, and the illustrations tell the story as well as the words.

And there is an environmental element to The Prophecy of Four. As the team of agents discuss the Prophecy of Four, one of the signs of its coming is the disappearance of bees. Then, on the last page, Noah discusses the fact that bees really are disappearing and gives some hints on how to be kind to them. Talking softly and offering coffee may not seem to help much, but children will recognize and remember the humour in the suggestions.