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Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite
Sketch by Ros Hill is a unique adventure that describes what happens when magic and superheroes collide. Charles was just an average art student on a trip to Egypt when a discovery changed his life forever. It all started when he met the beautiful Heba, who introduced him to magic ink that can breathe life into whatever he imagines. When the ink creates a superhero named Sketch, he’s amazed at the possibilities. However, the new hero’s first day doesn’t go as well as either had hoped. How embarrassing when he fell face-first when attempting to fly. Or how he fumbled his way through using his powers. Yesterday, he was a drawing, and now he’s facing an arch nemesis, the Finger Gunman, in a battle that will push him to discover what being a hero is really about. And he must act quickly before the villain can create an army.
The author's love for superheroes is strong, with references to various heroes throughout, which makes the story feel like a love letter to comic books. Part of this is the choice to set it in the 1960s, which gives it a unique vintage aesthetic. The novel imagines what would happen if one of these heroes came to life, exploring what it means to be heroic. The use of magic ink, with roots in ancient Egypt, gives the story its own mythology. Sketch isn’t a two-dimensional character, becoming more human the more he struggles to understand what being a hero means. He’s a sentient being who is genuinely trying his best. You see him struggle with emotions as he engages with various people, and each time he becomes more grounded in the real world. Ros Hill also uses his fumbling through his powers to add subtle instances of humor. He’s a reflection of Charles as a living embodiment of his imagination, which creates a unique relationship between the two. He even passed on traits that you see at various points in Sketch’s hero journey. Charles’ place in the story is unique as he is both creator and mentor. The Finger Gunman is the perfect incarnation of a comic book villain. A unique and fascinating twist on superheroes, Sketch breathes new life into the genre with creativity, imagination, and heart.
