and yeah, while I haven't read too too much by him, Pope is great - if you can find it, his issue of SOLO (a DC title from a few years back where great artists got free reign in the DCU, also recommend the Darwyn Cooke and Allred issues) is worth checking out. And his Adam Strange strip from Wednesday Comics...
As for the book, yeah, I thought it was great, The library had it in the kids' section (I think they've moved it to YA since). I had some reservations but gave it to my 9 y.o. to read.. surprisingly, he didn't comment on it much to me so I didn't push the issue. He did say he read it, though. He's clearly more excited by the couple back issues of Mega Man I just got him though.