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Barry Hutchison
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The Sidekicks Initiative: A Funny Superhero Adventure Kindle Edition

by Barry J. Hutchison (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 937 ratings
Mostly powerless. Completely clueless.

Once, they stood next to justice. Now they're standing up for it...

When sworn protectors of Earth, the Justice Platoon, are all horribly killed, their former arch-enemies come crawling out of the woodwork. Outnumbered, outgunned, and out of options, the US Government has no choice but to activate the Sidekicks Initiative, dragging the Platoon's middle-aged ex-sidekicks out of retirement.

Now these three reluctant, out of shape former child-wonders must work together to stop the rising tide of supervillainy, avenge their former mentors' deaths, and bring the world back from the brink of destruction.

Assuming they don't kill each other first.

Featuring anaphylactic shockwaves, unexpected hippos, and an aggressive man shouting at butterflies, The Sidekicks Initiative is the first book in the action-packed new series from internationally bestselling Space Team author, Barry J. Hutchison.
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  1. Print length
    402 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    July 17, 2018
  5. File size
    1.4 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ian Putnam has many years of experience working in the arts as a teacher, actor, writer, painter, singer, and musician. He is passionate about books in general, including reading for pleasure and research, and especially narrating audiobooks. Ian has over twelve years of middle and high school teaching experience in the arts, and worked professionally as a performer in Los Angeles for seven years. He has played in several bands and recorded three albums, with musical interests including jazz, classical, rock, and musical theater. He currently leads his jazz band as its singer and enjoys playing classical piano and spending lots of meaningful time with his wife, daughter, and pets in Santa Barbara.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07DR42DXT
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Zertex Media Ltd
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 17, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.4 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 402 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 937 ratings

About the author

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Barry Hutchison

Barry Hutchison

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Barry Hutchison is an award-winning children's author and screenwriter. His first book - INVISIBLE FIENDS: MR MUMBLES - was published in 2010 to critical acclaim. The book went on to win the Royal Mail Award for Scottish Children's Books in 2011, by which point two more books in the horror series had been published.

In 2012 HarperCollins Children's Books published Barry's comedy fantasy novel, THE 13TH HORSEMAN, which was even more well-received than MR MUMBLES, with fans including the multi-award-winning best-selling author, Neil Gaiman. Shortly after Horseman won the Scottish Children's Book Award, a sequel - The Book of Doom - was published.

Since 2008 Barry has written over fifty books for children, including several based on the hit Cartoon Network show, BEN 10. When not writing he is usually visiting schools and libraries to run events and story-writing workshops for kids and adults alike.

He recently wrote thirty-six episodes of the CITV comedy series, BOTTOM KNOCKER STREET, starring comedian Phill Jupitus.

Barry lives in the Highlands of Scotland with his wife, Fiona, and their two children, Kyle and Mia. His biggest fear is that someone will one day discover how much fun his job is and immediately put a stop to it. His second biggest fear is squirrels.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
937 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this superhero book hilarious, with one review highlighting its wickedly funny dialogue. The story receives positive feedback, with one customer noting its exciting action scenes. Customers describe the book as inspirational, with one review mentioning how it restores faith in mankind. The pacing receives mixed reactions, with some finding it well-paced while others disagree.

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HumorStory qualityHeartwarmingEnjoymentPacing
51 customers mention "Humor"48 positive3 negative

Customers find the book humorous, describing it as one of the funniest superhero books with plenty of wit and entertaining characters.

"...One of Hutchison's many talents is for writing well-fleshed characters and these characters follow in that grand tradition. I didn't like them...." Read more

"Love it. Another great time from one of my favorites. Thanks Barry! Watch out for falling bulls and rogue Callums." Read more

"A new take on super heros and their sidekicks! No bull. Well... a lot of bull, actually! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!" Read more

"...I love this guys writing style. Space team is one of my favorite things ever. Wise cracking humor alongside extreme action danger...." Read more

14 customers mention "Story quality"14 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story of the book, with one customer highlighting its exciting action scenes and another noting its irreverent tone.

"...Stars for an interesting premise, really well-written characters, and thoroughly unique approaches to conflict and action sequences." Read more

"...Heaven help humanity. As always, Hutchinson delivers a solid story with lovable characters, plenty of wit, and outright gawruffing..." Read more

"...irreverent, ridiculous, heart-warming, laugh-out-loud funny, a little disturbing (list at the end!), and satisfying...." Read more

"...’re a great change of pace, the humor is perfectly juvenile and fits the story." Read more

11 customers mention "Heartwarming"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book heartwarming and inspirational, with one customer noting it restores faith in mankind, while another appreciates its themes of acceptance.

"...Until, they were the last, best hope for humanity. Heaven help humanity...." Read more

"...fix this way... totally worth it - absurd, irreverent, ridiculous, heart-warming, laugh-out-loud funny, a little disturbing (list at the end!),..." Read more

"...joke don't center so much around naughty words, but there are concepts to think about and lots of laughs...." Read more

"...This was a well written book that had a lot of heart. Ireally enjoyed it." Read more

5 customers mention "Enjoyment"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, with one describing it as a happy diversion and another noting it maintains interest throughout.

"...There is an adventure and very relatable characters underlying the farcical situations too - ENJOY!!" Read more

"...Not sure. Anyway, good read, funny, kind of gross and great way to spend some extra time." Read more

"This was a great concept for a book. it was well written and my interest through out." Read more

"...I love his space team novels, but this one is a happy diversion. More PG rated then Space Team, and well paced. Loved it!" Read more

7 customers mention "Pacing"4 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it well-paced while others note that the action takes time to develop.

"...They’re a great change of pace, the humor is perfectly juvenile and fits the story." Read more

"...Being the first book in what I hope is a series. things lag a bit at the start, but that is the inevitable and required setup of the premise...." Read more

"...Glad I didn't. Sidekicks Initiative is light, fast paced and laugh out loud funny. Read it." Read more

"...The action was a long time coming and the characters were not too interesting for me...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Ernie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Barry the book was awesome
    Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Barry. I think your book was awesome. It goes to show you ,anything can be made up. Thanks it was great. Rocko
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  • Andrea L. Boyd
    4.0 out of 5 stars This book will grow on you. (no spoilers)
    Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    If you're a fan of the author for his "Space Team" series, this book is not that. But if you ARE a fan of the author, give him a little leeway in the beginning and this story will finally get you.
    One of Hutchison's many talents is for writing well-fleshed characters and these characters follow in that grand tradition. I didn't like them. Any of them. But that was mission accomplished. The reader is not meant to "like" these characters. They are deeply flawed and seriously messed up, but even though I wouldn't invite any of them out for a beer and a chat, I did find myself invested. I did find myself rooting for them.
    Of course, the stakes are entirely internal to the characters within their world. (We, the reader, have no reason to believe our "heroes" won't prevail in the end. It's like how no one actually believed Rick Castle on the TV show "Castle" was going to die all those times he was in mortal danger. He couldn't die; his name was right there in the title.) But the author has done such a good job of writing surprising action sequences up to the climax, the reader has just as much - if not more - invested in what cool thing the author comes up with to resolve it.
    Stars for an interesting premise, really well-written characters, and thoroughly unique approaches to conflict and action sequences.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • C. Raven
    5.0 out of 5 stars so great!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Love it. Another great time from one of my favorites. Thanks Barry! Watch out for falling bulls and rogue Callums.
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  • Christopher Crawford
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fun quick read!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    A new take on super heros and their sidekicks! No bull. Well... a lot of bull, actually! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
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  • Hiram Wells
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loonie superhero antics
    Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Barry comes down to earth for another kind of take on his action packed hilarity. I love this guys writing style. Space team is one of my favorite things ever. Wise cracking humor alongside extreme action danger. As in Space Team, we have a group of seeming losers, in this case retired sidekicks who were used as cannon fodder by the publicity hungry superheros, who after the death of the supers, must somehow find a way to save the earth from a menace who seems to be way above their league. The sidekicks seem to be hopeless, can they come together and face this super villain? Can they trust John Hitler? Will Sam find a uniform that fits? This and many other questions will be revealed. This book reminded me of another book, I believe it's called Red Shirts, which is Star Trek told from the perspective of the guys who keep being sent out to die. A funny book, but I think Barry's book is funnier. Being the first book in what I hope is a series. things lag a bit at the start, but that is the inevitable and required setup of the premise. Very much eager to see what dangers the sidekicks will have to face next time.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • spincast1123
    3.0 out of 5 stars Like wading though a mud pit with concrete boots on...
    Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I had a very difficult time staying interested in the book. The action was a long time coming and the characters were not too interesting for me. I plodded through and found that there were parts that actually made me laugh out loud and parts that made me wonder why I was continuing to read. There was a great deal of "adult language" but that is whom the book is tailored to.
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Ok, it's a little campy
    Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    But it's a lot of fun. The main character, the former Kid Random, sidekick to Doc Mighty, is a divorced adoptive father whose life is pretty pathetic. But when the Justice Platoon is, astonishingly, wiped out, it's up to Kid Random, Allergy Girl, and King Butterfly -- not A-listers even in their own minds (well, King Butterfly has his own take, but there's a reason for that) - to save the day.

    Despite the slapstick approach, Hutchison somehow makes you care about the characters, and all comes round mostly right by the end.

    I enjoyed it, and if you've ever loved comics you will too.
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  • Hanna
    5.0 out of 5 stars Not just any super hero book
    Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This isn't just any book about Super Heroes. Mainly, because it's about their Sidekicks, but more than that, it's about the Sidekicks who had been forgotten for the most part and who preferred to remain a distant memory (Except for Randy, but we'll ignore him). Until, they were the last, best hope for humanity.

    Heaven help humanity.

    As always, Hutchinson delivers a solid story with lovable characters, plenty of wit, and outright gawruffing moments.

    The characters were written with so much depth and feeling, I felt as if they were my friends. In fact, I didn't want it to end. I just wanted to hang with them awhile longer. I hope Hutchison writes more in this new world soon!
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • shivem
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great spin on the superhero genre
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 16, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    There is a lot to like about this book, wit, charm, likeable characters, and it's good old fashioned ridiculous fun.
    Kill all the superheroes, introduce a terrifyingly powerful villain and then rely on a small team of woefully unprepared sidekicks to save the city... What's not to like.
    I enjoyed the whole story from start to fi ish, I found it engaging and funny, with a dark undertone in places that helped to make the almost absurd situations the heroes of the tale kept finding themselves in funnier.
    Well written and well executed, this is the first book I have read by this author, but it definitely won't be the last, and I hope that he follows up with more in this series.
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  • Calista
    5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious
    Reviewed in Australia on August 9, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    The author of the awesome Space Team series has done it again with this new series.
    If you haven’t listened to the Space Team series - give it a try. The narrator Phil Thron is excellent.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fun Book from beginning to End
    Reviewed in Canada on November 2, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Sam, Randy and Anna , sidekicks with questionable powers trying to take on a grave threat to the city , who took out the Justice Squad. This book was fun, gave me fits of laughter when I was reading on the bus to work. Very satisfying.
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  • Bill Rattlepike
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book kicks some side!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 23, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I have been a fan of Barry Hutchison's work for some time (amongst other things, he has written the awesome Space Team series) so was keen to see what he could do with a world of superheroes.
    I was not disappointed! The Sidekicks Initiative is out and out hilarious, whether you are normally a fan of the genre or not. A long riff on waiting for a bus is a typically down to earth but side splitting segment! There are affectionately critical, observant and funny nods everywhere to the superhero fayre we've been provided with in comics and films.
    However within the parody we still get a main character whose life feels relatable and whose motivations we can care about, a cracking pacey story and even some thoughts on the possibilities of redemption.
    Just to be clear though, that doesn't mean there won't be a couple of very pointed jokes about the anatomy of superhero/superheroine outfits. This is primarily FUN and I would encourage anyone to give it a go. I hope this is the first of many Sidekicks books!
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  • H.D. Nels
    5.0 out of 5 stars Butterfly fields forever
    Reviewed in Canada on January 20, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    It was so awesomely creative. Cullum was a true Eames player. And this is so stupid requiring Xbox number of words.
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