WIZARD: The Guide to Comics

“There is an exceptional Independent comics that I simply MUST plug...Brilliant Boy is probably the best kids comic on the shelves right now! Sugar & Spike, Little Lulu, the Peanuts gang—all these famous strips that take place in a childhood universe have nothing on Brilliant Boy. It SHOULD be on Saturday mornings! The cartooning, lettering, production are all utterly professional and occasionally breathtaking. A BRILLIANT concept from start to finish, and it gets my highest recommendation.”

Small Press Creative Explosion

“A delightfully well done comic...Don’t let the fact that the main characters are kids fool you, this comic is done to satisfy all ages. For us older folks its a fun look back into childhood and perhaps bring back some good memories we had as kids.”

Comic Attractions Magazine

I picked up a copy of Brilliant Boy #1 on a whim during my last visit to my local comics shop. I am glad I did. I really enjoyed “The Snails of Baskerville” story —it was quite amusing. I liked the use of more realistic art for the ‘historical’ part of your story, recounting the local history and the founding of Baskerville and contrasting that with the more cartoony art for the rest of the story featuring the main characters. Has anyone mentioned that your characters are somewhat reminiscent of the Peanuts gang—maybe it’s the big round heads. I thought the writing was clever, using a good mix of humor and intelligence. The story was entertaining, combining both the plausible and the implausible. Congratulations on a nice effort all around. I look forward to seeing more adventure, mystery and romance in the pages of Brilliant Boy. I wish you much success!

Craig T Powell, Salt Lake City, UT

Love your book, dudes. I thought it was well thought out, looked good and read really well. The snail race was cool (I should have thought of it.) Anyways, great book.

Thomas Florimonte, Hattiesburg, MS

Just a friendly letter to let you know how much I enjoy Brilliant Boy. It is so nice to see another soul do an all-ages book with such flair and style. I’ve been talking up your book to retailers I visit when I do store signings to promote my comic, BOMBASTIC. They seem pretty receptive to hearing what I read and feel is worth picking up.

Artistically, the book is so concrete and realized. Page 7, panel 5 [BB#2] is just exquisitely composed. I adore your character designs and salute your brushwork. The story is wacky and lean. Here’s hoping the comic press will showcase your book. It truly deserves more notoriety.

Brian Clopper, Damascus, MD

The snail story was a lot of fun. Loved the expression on the little guys when it was dinner...er...secret formula time. Enjoyed the impressions where the giant snail-turned-vertebrate whacked his way out of the shed. Oh heck. I enjoyed it all. In spots your inking reminds me very much of Jeff Smith’s. Especially when trees are involved. It’s funny. The panel you picked out to place on the inside front cover of book 2 is EXACTLY the same one that just leaped out of the page at me in book 1. Found myself wishing MY trees looked more like that.

Ken Harrison, Avondale Estates, GA

I hope the short review/description of your comic is enough to get people interested in your work. I was really impressed with Brilliant Boy and I think you guys have a great comic on your hands. Wizard is known as a mainstream mag, but hopefully some of their readership is daring enough to try a new small press book.

Tom Palmer Jr.

I freelanced as a commercial artist for nearly 20 years so I got the typeface humor of your characters’ names. Very clever! I thought the ‘snail-race’ story was a great way to start off the series since it introduced everything in a matter-of-fact way that was fun. The “Drake” storyline looks to be an epic on its own. I think the blend of semi-serious and silly really lend this book special appeal. Brilliant Boy is skillfully drawn and intelligently crafted. A rare blend and a welcome new series in my personal collection. Be encouraged.

Chris Yambar, Youngstown, Ohio

I enjoy the Brilliant Boy comic that your company puts out! Circus Comics has won my respect! I thank you for such a high quality comic at such a low price. I really like all the characters and hope that you have a lot more in store for people, like me, who enjoy your comic. I look forward to many more years of Circus Comics!

Gilbert Lehman Huntington, W.V.

My name is Mark Coale and I work at Capt Blue Hen Comics in Newark, DE. Just wanted to drop a line and say how Brilliant Boy has done at our store.

We ordered a couple copies of #1 at the request of the manager’s fiancé who is the one who often finds independent books to try out in the Previews. I thought it was a hoot when we got it. I believe we sold out of the five copies we ordered.

I certainly enjoy the book and we have it in our “hip indy” section along with things like Action Girl, Cerebus, Stray Bullets and the like.

Mark Coale, Newark, DE

I was really impressed. Your inking, your design sense, and your storytelling were all really good. I had been hearing some good things about BB from a few friends of mine, but had never had the opportunity to see if their praises were well founded. Now I know they were. By the way, I loved Drake. And BB’s dog was too cute. Hope we see him more. Can’t wait to see what happens next. Make mine Brilliant! Stay cool,dudes!

Keelan Parham, Orlando, FL

Just a quick note to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the “Drake” storyline in the most recent issues of Brilliant Boy. The gang’s resolution to the vampire in their midst was fun, entertaining and “brilliant.”

I think you’ve found a niche in the comics market that was just waiting to be filled. You have a wonderful all-ages book that, in its own way, teaches that science and intelligence is not a “nerd” thing, but can actually come in handy. I think your book deserves a larger audience. I hope you don’t mind if I spread the word a bit about Brilliant Boy. (I didn’t think you would.)

I congratulate you on your first year and look forward to many more.

Craig T Powell, Salt Lake City, UT

I've really enjoyed reading Brilliant Boy #1 - 4. You have a real winner on your hands.

Scott Henderson, Hagersville, ON