Idiotz, Volume 1: Volume 1

By Gary Greenfield

Harold Melman wanted nothing more than to break a long-standing family curse and successfully serve his country in the armed forces. Unfortunately, his clumsiness and lack of wit prevent any branch from taking him. After getting kicked out of Harry's Boot Camp & Nail Salon (in spite of his lovely cuticles ), Melman gathers a mismatched band of wannabe heroes to fight the good fight - for those who are too dumb to fight it themselves.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1598163922
• ISBN13: 9781598163926
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: Tokyopop Classics
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.46 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 8.5" x 7.4"
• Age Range: 8 to 11 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 6

Customer Reviews

Idiotz: The Monster Moles

Cliches aside, Idiotz: The Monster Moles is mostly about how a few misfits band together to start a group that tries to help others. The first part of the book is all about the characters meeting one another. It's not until more than halfway through that they get their first "case." And therein lies the problem. It seems more development of each plot could have taken place if they were split into two separate volumes in the series. The Achilles' heel of the moles and subsequent resolution seem too rushed. As do some instances of the Idiotz meeting one another. That being said, the characters themselves are mostly likeable, and the next volume appears to be a western, which should provide a more enjoyable storyline. I'm hooked!

THE STUPIDS MEET THE MYSTERY MEN

A few years back there was a movie starring Tom Arnold called "The Stupids" about a family that was dumber than dirt. Well the Stupids have nothing on the Idiotz in this hilarious new Manga from TokyoPop. In fact this book is kind of a combination of The Stupids and another recent film Mystery Men. Harold Melman is the leader of the Idiotz and with good reason. Harold has just graduated from Ernies Tech Institute and Chop Shop with designs on joining the military where he can help people. The trouble is that Harold proves to be such an utter moron that he gets turned down by every branch of service. Finally he sees an ad for Harry's Boot Camp and Nail Salon that promises to turn him into a soldier. Harold joins up and is his usual reckless self but Harry is happy to put up with him considering the $500 enrollment fee. Harold is soon given the title of Captain Pinhead and decides to form a band with others who share his desire to help the downtrodden. Problem is that all of Harold's recruits are just as much misfits as he is. There's Clyde Williams nicknamed Nitwit who spouts malapropisms in the tradition of comedian Norm Crosby. Then there is waitress Janey Jinx...who is a literal jinx and bad things happening are not far away when she is around. Jonathan P. Wellington is nicknamed the blowfish (you'll see why) and is allergic to...everything! Rounding out this fearsome fivesome is Milton Hopper, codenamed maniac for his frentic speed and brash attitude. The little group decides to try and get jobs to raise money to buy food and costumes but they fail at every job. Finally they meet a Mrs. Wentworth who has a severe gopher problem on her estate and it's up to the Idiotz to save the say...only these are no ordinary gophers as they will soon find out. Idiotz was a scream to read. Not every joke works but they come at you at such rapid fire pace that you'll hardly notice the ones that miss. Besides, it's just fun to laugh at people who are dumber than you! The story was written by Gary Greenfield with art by John and Jason Waltrip. One of the funniest Manga I've read in quite some time. Reviewed by Tim Janson