From School Library Journal
Grade 5-9-- In this superbly loony fantasy, comic-book fan Harry becomes convinced that his mother is really the superhero Tuatara when he discovers that the characters in his favorite comic are real. He becomes involved in helping his idol prevent her arch-rival Bonnie Android from destroying Harry's home town and from stealing the super-power bestowing red drink--invented by Harry's grandfather--to bribe the prospective conqueror of the planet Zambeeno. The story contains a stellar group of bizarre characters, including Harry's stodgy brother; unpleasantly bohemian Aunt Agnes (who might be Bonnie Android); the Tuatara's side-kick, Pennyperfect Leiberman; a meglomaniacal robot who can change himself into a vacuum cleaner; a wryly accurate bus-load of fans going to a science fiction convention; and a guest appearance by Watson Congruent, the protagonist of Gilden's The Return of Captain Conquer (Houghton, 1985). Food jokes play a major part as well. The heroes are aided by a pizza which is also a map; weapons shoot cheese blight and chili. While consistant within its premise, there is one loose end concerning the whereabouts of Aunt Agnes during the climax. Like Daniel Pinkwater, Gilden creates a wonderfully impossible reality that just might be lurking around the corner. Great for reluctant readers, and a primer for A Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (Crown, 1980) by Adams .
-Annette Curtis Klause, Montgomery County Department of Public Libraries, Md.Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.