Sharkman and Blowfish: World Domination

Melbourne-based publishers Berbay are known for brilliant children’s books that are slightly out of left field, but this is a book that is completely unhinged. The book begins with the Sharkman and Blowfish origin story: a meeting at school, then fast forward to an older Sharkman who has become rich and a cartoonishly bad boss and his right-hand Blowfish, who is working hard as Sharkman’s personal assistant, chef, driver etc. etc. etc. Of course, Sharkman is hell-bent on world domination and it falls to hardworking Blowfish, a much more amicable character, to put in the elbow grease for these evil plans.

Readers of The Bad Guys who are looking for something with a few bigger words might enjoy this book. It’s a nice little hardback and the grayscale graphite-look illustrations are highlighted throughout with blue printing. There’s a looseness and goofy energy to the illustrations but they are also jam-packed with the sort of details that appeal to kids who are technically minded. For ages 8+.