Kaput and Zosky by Lewis Trondheim, Eric Cartier (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

Would-be world conquerors Kaput and Zosky are at the pinnacle of their careers.  So why does victory always slip from their grasp? 

On one planet the natives surrender to Kaput and Zosky without a fight – where’s the fun in that?  On another, Kaput finds that he’s won the lottery – and the prize is invested by well-meaning people against his will until he learns he now rules their planet. He doesn’t even have to shoot anyone first!   Mayhem and hilarity abounds in these thirteen stories told with bright, cartoony art by Lewis Trondheim. 

Children's Literature

In the entire universe, no two aliens have ever been as devoted to spreading pain and fear as Kaput and Zosky. Fortunately for the universe, no two aliens have ever been as incompetent at spreading pain and fear as Kaput and Zosky, either. From the minds of French cartoonists Lewis Trondheim and Eric Cartier, Kaput & Zosky follows the misadventures of two would-be conquerors as they travel from planet to planet trying to grind alien civilizations under their feet. Yet despite their powerful weapons (which they use to vaporize people, statues and houseflies at every opportunity) neither Kaput nor Zosky ever succeeds in conquering a world—even when one planet cheerfully submits to the conquerors (something that infuriates Zosky, who wants to "hear screams of terror at my very presence!"). On other worlds, the aliens become rulers by running for president (but are forced to flee when their citizens demand they make good on their campaign promises) or use their weapons to win Roman gladiator-style tournaments (but accidentally vaporize the princess of the world, nullifying their rule). Though the plots are somewhat formulaic, Trondheim and Cartier's satirical pokes at politics, gambling, and capitalism provide welcome entertainment. For all of Kaput & Zosky's merits, however, the aliens are very trigger-happy and great advocates of annihilating people—although the actual violence is comparable to an episode of Looney Tunes or The Simpsons. The book also features one-page stories of Trondheim's The Cosmonaut comic, which showcases some scatological humor, including a final strip involving feces. Based on the success of titles like Captain Underpants, the book's gross humor willentertain many children, although parents and librarians may raise some eyebrows. Reviewer: Michael Jung

VOYA

AGERANGE: Ages 11 to 15.

Kaput and Zösky are zany partners determined to rule the universe. The only problem is that something always goes wrong when they land on a planet. Humor is exhibited in the colorful drawings of the odd-looking characters (Kaput has an enormous overbite, a red Mohawk, and an egg-shaped body) within the small panels. The situations the team finds itself in and interchanges between the two are equally funny. When they visit Earth, they vow to "devour all their chocolate desserts," but the size of earthlings, including their insects and litter, is too intimidating. The horrified duo simply flees without putting up much of a fight. On another planet, they are mistaken for Cabbage Patch kids by a lonely couple. Between each of Kaput and Zösky's adventures, there is an even shorter strip featuring another character, Cosmonaut, a tiny man who also visits planets and often attacks various creatures. Colored backgrounds vary, depending on the mood and tone of the planet the characters encounter, but the insatiable appetite for blood and power never seems to escape them. The cartoonish illustrations on the front and back covers might discourage older teens from opening the book, but the occasionally thought-provoking stories are far from juvenile. Translated from French, adaptations of the Kaput & Zösky series have appeared in televised cartoons in the United States and other countries. Readers who are looking for an adventure story featuring less-than-perfect heroes will enjoy this book. Reviewer: KaaVonia Hinton-Johnson
April 2008 (Vol. 31, No. 1)

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6 -The popular French comic lands in the U.S. Kaput and Zösky are power-hungry, bloodthirsty aliens determined to rule as many worlds as they can. Not that the planets have anything to fear. These are the most incompetent would-be dictators in the universe. Zösky is the clear-headed one, managing to come up with some kind of a master plan. Kaput just runs in, guns blazing. Even when they do manage to overthrow a planet, they cana't hold onto it very long. On one planet, the little natives simply grant them sovereignty and this ticks Kaput off-wherea's the fun in that? Since the natives obey every word, the duo soon learns that running a planet of willing subjects isna't that easy, but it is hilarious for readers. The short sequences are broken up by a wordless strip featuring a hapless cosmonaut. Taken in small doses, ita's perfect. As a whole book, however, the antics grow tiresome. Kaput and Zösky are sure to liven up childrena's collections that are big on superheroes but light on humor.-Sadie Mattox, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA

Product Details