Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 04/01/2026 Gr 2–4—Hale and Holgate return with an exciting second volume of this new superhero team-up. Iron Man realizes that Hulk does not interact with him like he does with other superheroes and wonders if Hulk is mad at him and what he could have done. After receiving advice from Thor about how to make friends with Hulk, he decides to bond with him by doing Hulk's favorite activity, SMASHing! However, when Iron Man and Hulk embark on their destructive journey, they realize monsters are continuously appearing one after the other. There is something else going on but what is it and who is responsible? Hale's accessible text makes this graphic novel attractive for young readers who love superhero stories. The book remains true to the Marvel characters: Hulk speaks in third-person, broken English while Iron Man is intelligent and quick-witted. Holgate's vibrant spreads are dedicated to big moments, such as when each monster appears or when Iron Man unveils his new suit, The Ironomous Man. Each full-page spread is a space to pause, increase anticipation, and call out important moments in the story. Hale and Holgate's skillfully placed text and artwork produce an energetic, lively, and adventurous graphic novel. VERDICT An absolute must for young readers who love superheroes.—Kharissa Kenner - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.