Tag: DC Comics

REVIEW: Victor and Nora by Lauren Myracle

REVIEW: Victor and Nora by Lauren Myracle

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and DC Entertainment in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Victor is at the cemetery, visiting his brother’s grave when he meets Nora. She’s visiting her mother’s. But she’s also contemplating her own mortality. Her disease will progress until she’s not herself anymore. But she doesn’t tell Victor any of that.

Painfully shy, Victor slowly warms up to the vivacious Nora. When he’s not with her, he’s at his lab working on his freezing tech. Little does he know that his Nora could be in need of the very thing he is creating.

Review

This is an origin story for Victor Fries, aka Mr. Freeze, a villain from the Batman/Gotham universe. Here we see both his early work in cryogenics as well as his whirlwind romance with Nora (who, in other versions of the story, is his wife).

This is a dark story. Between the scenes with Nora and a bird attacking her like her disease eventually will, and her talk of ways to die with Victor when they first meet, there’s a lot of death hanging over this story. There are also hints at Victor’s tendency toward obsession and controlling behavior.

The Gotham universe has a lot of darkness to it anyway, and this graphic novel falls more on that side of things. And it’s darker than my usual preference. If I was rating this just on my enjoyment, I would give it two stars. It’s just not a great fit for me. But the story is well-written and the art well done, so I feel like I can recommend this to others who are more comfortable with the darkness of the story with a rating based on the story’s merits rather than my enjoyment. (Some language, talk of death, off page sex, TW: Suicide, grief and loss) You can read about other graphic novels from the DC universe here.

DC Entertainment has graciously shared some of the internal art with us. Here are some sample pages:

 

Rating: ♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥=Good/solid/fine

REVIEW: Swamp Thing: Twin Branches by Maggie Stiefvater

REVIEW: Swamp Thing: Twin Branches by Maggie Stiefvater

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and DC Entertainment in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Alec and Walker Holland are spending their last summer before college with their cousins out in the country because of some… discord at home. For twins, the boys couldn’t have more different personalities. Walker is the extrovert, the life of the party. It’s not long before he knows everyone in town. Alec, on the other hand, is quiet and introverted. He’s far more interested in his plant-based science experiments than in people.

Some problems with Alec’s experiments lead to strange reactions in the local wildlife. And then in the people. But just when Alec finds someone to share his breakthroughs with, things escalate to a shocking degree.

Review

I am still stunned by where this story goes from start to finish. It’s an odd little story. And I loved it.

I have no history with Alec Holland or the Swamp Thing. I looked up the character’s history online, and wow! I liked the ways this changes the story. I liked the twin brothers angle to this a lot – the way they care for each other even when they are so different and don’t always understand each other.

I didn’t understand all of the plant science/science fiction in this, but I enjoyed it. The depiction of Alec connecting with a plant while his parents are talking in the background to the school personnel about his difficulties with people was beautiful and gave me a ton of insight into the character. That may be my favorite moment in the book. What happens to the local animal life after encountering Alec’s experiment was fascinating, too. Although not as interesting as what happens to the people.

The story and the characters here are supremely engaging. I would have loved a longer story, but I’ll settle for a sequel! Hand this to graphic novel fans and readers who want to dive into some of the lesser known DC characters. The way the author re-imagines this character really clicked for me. And the art work – while not my favorite style (just a matter of personal preference) – is lovely. (Language, sexual references)

You can read more reviews of books and graphic novels from the DC Universe here. DC has graciously provided some samples of the interior artwork for you to enjoy!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥=Great. Might re-read.

REVIEW: Teen Titans: Beast Boy by Kami Garcia

REVIEW: Teen Titans: Beast Boy by Kami Garcia

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and DC Entertainment in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Garfield “Gar” Logan is a senior in high school, and he’s tired of looking like a freshman. He’s lifting weights and downing protein shakes with no impact. He starts to wonder if the supplements his parents have him taking could be stunting his growth. So, he stops taking them. And things start to… change.

Gar is desperate to get in with the cool crowd and get the attention of a certain girl before high school ends. The weird things happening to him seem to be helping him get that attention for once. But a sinister figure, new in town, may be giving Gar exactly the wrong kind of attention.

Review

I have been excited about this book since the moment I finished Teen Titans: Raven last year. This is from the same team, and they can’t churn out books fast enough for me. I discovered that the next book will be a team up of both Raven and Gar, currently titled Beast Boy Loves Raven, and I am here for it! This one ends on a huge cliffhanger, and I need a sequel!

This is an origin story for Gar. There’s an emphasis early in the book on his longing to be noticed. He wants to fit in physically; he wants to be considered “cool.” And he wants to find what he’s good at and who he is meant to be. Gar stumbles into these dares, and the physical changes he’s experiencing help him pull off things that should be impossible.

I wish this had been longer or that some of the set up was condensed. Just when I felt like things were getting into place – a bitter rival at school, a dangerous foe from his parents’ past, full use of his powers –  it was over. I used some choice words when I swiped for more and found there wasn’t any.

So, I enjoyed what’s here, but I wanted more. I guess that’s a sign of a good story. Fans of the Raven graphic novel, and fans of the character Gar/Beast Boy should be sure to check this one out. If you haven’t read these but you enjoy other Teen Titans material, like Teen Titans: Damian Knows Best, put these on your TBR.

DC has graciously shared some examples of the interior artwork for you to enjoy!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: DC Super Hero Girls: Weird Science by Amanda Deibert

REVIEW: DC Super Hero Girls: Weird Science by Amanda Deibert

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and DC Comics in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

The DC Super Hero Girls are friends at Metropolis High. And it’s time for the science fair. The judge of this year’s fair is a Cadmus scientist, and the first prize is an internship at Cadmus as well as a year of treats from the Sweet Justice Cafe. All of the girls are excited to get their science on!

All the girls except “Zee” Zatara.

Zee is all about magic, not science. But the Cadmus scientist and Zee’s friends encourage her to help her friends with their projects while she tries to come up with one for herself.

Each project ends in some sort of disaster. Is Zee bad luck? Is she sabotaging her friends? Or is something else going on?

Review

I’ve enjoyed the previous DC Super Hero Girls series, which takes place at Super Hero High, for awhile now. You can read my reviews of those graphic novels here. This is my first book, though in this new Metropolis High series. I prefer the earlier series myself, but I enjoyed this new iteration and setting.

At Metropolis High, the girls have to balance their superhero lives with their alternate identities at school which adds an interesting dynamic to this series. I also enjoyed references to other DC characters. There are appearances here from Hal Jordan, Barry Allen, Steve Trevor, and Lex Luthor as well as references to Superman. The next book – Midterms – promises Lois Lane and Harley Quinn and will release this fall.

This is a meaty story. Zee “helps” Bumblebee, Batgirl, Supergirl, Wonder Woman and a Green Lantern as she prepares for the fair. (It looks like this was originally published as 15 issues of a comic book series. There’s a lot here to dig into.) Every time Zee tries to use magic to fix a problem or speed something along. And almost every time it backfires. Zee doesn’t really learn a lesson from this, but she does find her way to the science fair for herself, and the mystery of the disasters gets solved.

Hand this to DC fans, graphic novel fans, super hero fans, and fans of this series!

Rating: ♥♥♥½

REVIEW: Primer by Jennifer Muro and Thomas Krajewski

REVIEW: Primer by Jennifer Muro and Thomas Krajewski

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and DC Entertainment in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Ashley’s been in multiple foster homes as well as a group home before she goes to live with the Nolans. Mr. Nolan is an artist and a professor. He’s funny and relatable and down to earth. His wife is a scientist. Ashley’s convinced Dr. Nolan doesn’t like her.

Ashley notices Dr. Nolan acting suspiciously. She thinks that the box Dr. Nolan puts in the family safe must be her birthday present. She has no idea that Dr. Nolan has stolen this box from her job because what’s inside it is dangerous. She doesn’t want it to fall into the wrong hands.

What Ashley thinks is just a kit of body paint for fun is actually a military project. Each paint color gives Ashley a different power. When a group of villains calling themselves the Night Knights starts trouble, Ashley uses the paints to fight them. She likes being a superhero. And she chooses her own hero name – Primer.

Review

This was so fun! I loved Ashley and the Nolans. They are pretty chill about her new super hero life – more relaxed than you think parents would be – but otherwise I loved the interplay with the three of them.

Ashley’s biological father, who is in jail, is far more alarming with his psychological abuse than the villain of the larger story here. This book only teases at this father/daughter relationship, but it will be a bigger focus of future stories. I will definitely be reading any sequels to see what the writers decide to do with that creepy relationship, especially as Ashley grows more attached to the Nolans.

The art wasn’t completely finished in my review copy, but what I saw was terrific. I can’t wait to see this one in person. DC has graciously provided a few sample pages so you can see the art for yourself:

The story here falls neatly between the light plots in the DC Super Hero Girls graphic novels and the more serious teen titles like Oracle Code and Raven. You can read my other DC reviews here. Hand this one to fans of Black Canary: Ignite and Batman Overdrive. I think they will love it!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Wonder Woman Tempest Tossed by Laurie Halse Anderson

REVIEW: Wonder Woman Tempest Tossed by Laurie Halse Anderson

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and DC Entertainment in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

The Amazons were created by the Five Mothers – Athena, Aphrodite, Demeter, Artemis, and Hestia – to protect the world from great evil. As they wait to be called to duty, they train.

In the waiting, the queen of the Amazons longs for a child. And the Mothers grant her wish. Now it is Diana’s 16th birthday. For the last year she has had mood swings and fainting spells. But she’s hoping that is all over now that she is 16 because that would mean she can start training with the warriors.

During Diana’s birthday celebration, alarms sound. Refugees have broken through the barrier to their island. While the queen works to send the refugees away and repair the barrier, Diana defies her and dives into the ocean to save drowning children. Once she saves everyone, the barrier is repaired… with Diana on the outside. The island – her home – disappears.

Review

This was fantastic! It’s a great contemporary Wonder Woman story. Diana ends up in a camp with the refugees. Then she meets a couple of UN staff – a married couple named Steve and Trevor, who recognize her intelligence and her gift for languages and help her get to the US. There Diana gets to know her host family. She sees homeless people and gives food to hungry kids. Her sense of justice is strong and grows stronger. Then she takes on the issue of child trafficking.

All of the social issues covered in the book are age-appropriate (in my opinion) for teens. They are issues a lot of teens today are already concerned about.

I wasn’t clear if Diana’s “changeling” behavior is supposed to just be puberty or if there’s something more going on there. And the young woman from her host family runs hot and cold in ways that aren’t completely explained in the story. But in the end, the two of them fight side by side to care for the people who need help and a voice when no one will listen to them.

There are some unfinished story threads here, which makes me wonder if there might be a sequel. If so, I am here for it. DC continues to do an excellent job with the storytelling in their new graphic novels for kids and teens. You can check out more of my reviews here.

DC Entertainment has graciously shared some pictures of the artwork from the interior of the book.

 

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½

BONUS REVIEW: The Lost Carnival by Michael Moreci

BONUS REVIEW: The Lost Carnival by Michael Moreci

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and DC Entertainment in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Dick Grayson is tired of his life with Haly’s Circus. It’s the same thing every day. And the crowds just keep getting smaller.

On an afternoon away with his best friend Willow, Dick meets Luciana. She’s from the Lost Carnival that has set up nearby. The circus folks are angry that the carnival is cutting into their crowds and their profits. And Luciana’s uncle, Caliban, has magic that seems like much more than illusions and cutting people in half. That is drawing crowds away, too. As tensions between the rival attractions heat up, and as Dick develops feelings for Luciana, the two teens are caught in the middle.

But when Willow falls into an unexplained coma, and her uncle, the circus magician, insists it is a spell, Dick pushes Luciana to share her secrets and save his best friend.

Review

Dick Grayson – at least the older version – is one of my favorite DC characters. (I loved the Grayson: Agents of Spyral graphic novel series.) I was eager to check out this story because it starred Dick Grayson. And I’m glad I did.

I feel like the story starts with some typical teen angst and developmental stuff. Dick is pulling away from his parents. He wants to live a life he chooses for himself – something more exciting than his current existence. (There is a foreshadowing panel about his future that was fantastic!) Then he is pushed to choose between the mysterious girl he likes and his circus “family.” And finally there’s a magical showdown and all the secrets are revealed. It was a satisfying arc. I don’t know that there were any big surprises. Frankly, I read this after Superman Smashes the Klan, and this might have suffered in the comparison because that was full of nuance and subtlety and a few surprises. This story is just more straightforward. It’s not really comparing apples to apples.

Fans of DC’s latest foray into graphic novels for kids and teens should be sure to check this one out. We get a glimpse of Dick’s life before Batman and before personal tragedy strikes, which is nice.

DC has been generous and provided some images of some of the interior pages of this book. Check them out here:

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

 

REVIEW: Superman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang

REVIEW: Superman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and DC Entertainment in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen are on the scene when Superman takes down The Atom Man. No one seems to really notice his sickly reaction to the green crystal that powered the villain’s transformation.

Roberta’s family is moving from Chinatown to Metropolis proper. Her dad has a new job which comes with a new house, more money – and hostility from one of his colleagues. Jimmy Olsen lives nearby. On the day they move in, Roberta even gets to see Superman run across the telephone wires above the neighborhood.

Not everyone in the neighborhood is as nice as Jimmy. Roberta and her brother Tommy run into trouble with a bigot on the youth baseball team. But the racist teen is small time compared to the hate rising in Metropolis.

The Lee family is targeted by the Klan of the Fiery Kross. Time and time again they are attacked. The places important to them are in the line of fire. Thankfully Superman is always there to lend a hand.

But while Superman helps the Lees, he has problems of his own. Ever since he encountered that green crystal he’s been hearing a strange language and seeing beings no one else can see. What is happening to Metropolis’ hero?

Review

This was excellent! It’s a meaty story with a TON of things going on. Roberta and Superman tell most of the story. Between the two of them they wrestle with the obvious racism, Roberta tries to fit in with the kids in their new neighborhood, Clark remembers parts of his childhood, and then deals with his new visions. Both Roberta and Clark are dealing with identity issues and questions. I loved that Superman wasn’t just the guy swooping in to save the day – he had a character development arc, too. I definitely got my “money’s worth” out of this book. There’s so much to this story! It’s excellent.

I got to see about 60% of the artwork, and I loved it. The art style is one I enjoy, and the color was beautiful. The story was so easy to follow.

Stories about racism are hard to read – the hate, the duplicity, the name calling. But I think it’s good for readers – kids, teens, and adults – to wrestle with the issues, the language, and the hate. And to try to recognize the fear that runs underneath those other things. It’s subtle, but the feeling of desperately grasping for power and security is definitely there in the bigoted characters. There are even moments of racial tension between minorities, like when the Lee family resists interacting with some African American men who try to help them. Those more subtle pieces in the story add to the richness of the graphic novel. I feel like I could read this again and again and discover more depth each time.

I can’t recommend this highly enough. There’s great historical context in the back matter – for Superman the character as well as for racism in America and also personal stories from the author. The story is enjoyable, but readers who are willing to go deeper will find lots to think about here.

DC has graciously shared some of the interior art from this book. You can check it out here:

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Gotham High by Melissa de la Cruz

REVIEW: Gotham High by Melissa de la Cruz

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and DC Entertainment in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Bruce Wayne gets kicked out of his exclusive prep school for defending another student from bullies. So he ends up at Gotham High.

There he reconnects with the literal “girl next door,” Selina Kyle. Since Bruce has been away, Selina’s mom has died leaving her alone to care for her father with Alzheimer’s who needs full time care. Bruce also meets Jack Napier, Selina’s friend and sometimes hook up.

Bruce runs into Harvey Dent – right before Harvey gets kidnapped. The attack happened at school. In fact, Harvey had been trying on Bruce’s long leather coat, making Bruce wonder if he was the actual target. That would make more sense, considering his family’s money, than Harvey. The security footage has been erased, and Bruce was drugged. He can’t remember anything that happened.

While Bruce tries to figure out what happened to Harvey, Selina continues to string both Bruce and Jack along for fun. A distraction from the weight of her life outside of school. When Harvey is returned, but Selina is kidnapped from Bruce’s house during a party, Bruce won’t stop until he finds her and the people responsible.

Review

There are some fascinating twists to the well-known Batman/Bruce Wayne stories here. Alfred is Bruce’s uncle rather than the family butler. He lives in Hong Kong with his husband, but comes to Gotham when Bruce gets kicked out of school. The details of Bruce’s parents’ deaths have been changed up as well. Then there’s the fact that all of these future foes go to high school together.

The usual all-white cast is shaken up as well. Jack Napier (future Joker) is white as is Ivy. Bruce is Asian as his mom was from Hong Kong. Selina presents as Lantix. And Barbara Gordon is Black, and her mom is the principal of the school. I loved this diversity. In fact, Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) is my favorite DC character – I would love to see a story set around this African American version of the character. Maybe there will be future stories from Gotham High. For the story in this particular book, I didn’t love the characters like I did with some of the other DC graphic novels recently. I was most intrigued by Ivy, frankly, and she doesn’t get a lot of page time.

The mystery of what is going on is puzzled out over the course of the book. The reader has more information than the characters in the story, so the final wrap up isn’t a big surprise to the reader.

There’s plenty left at the end with the relationships between the characters for additional stories in the future. Fans of Bruce Wayne story lines as well as fans of the new DC Entertainment graphic novels for teens (Shadow of the Batgirl, Oracle Code, Raven, Mera: Tidebreaker, etc.) should check this one out.

DC Entertainment has graciously shared some pictures of the interior art of the book so readers can see what they will get to enjoy.

Rating: ♥♥♥

REVIEW: The Oracle Code by Marieke Nijkamp

REVIEW: The Oracle Code by Marieke Nijkamp

Posted on by Jaymie

[ I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and DC Entertainment in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

When Barbara Gordon is shot at the scene of a robbery her father was investigating, she loses a lot – the use of her legs, the presence of her best friend, and her sense of self.

After the hospital, she goes to the Arkham Center for Independence for rehab. She’s angry. Her best friend ignores her texts. She argues with her dad. This place is a reminder of all the ways her life has changed. Barbara would rather be home.

Barbara is resistant to making friends, but after a rough day she meets Jena who tells her a spooky story which helps Babs get to sleep. Slowly she warms up to some of the other kids. Jena tells her other weird stories. And she says her brother has disappeared from Arkham. The doctor says Jena’s brother died in the fire where Jena got her injuries. Barbara is not sure who to trust. Then Jena disappears.

There are enough weird things at the Center to get Barbara fired up about something again. She’s determined to find out what really happened to Jena and her brother, and solve the puzzles of the ACI. And her new friends are right by her side.

Review

While I enjoyed this, it starts off a little on the dark, painful side with Barbara’s injury. Her anger felt honest and to be expected. And it was ever present as she tried to adjust to her temporary home and this new normal. But through the grief, her instincts, her curiosity, and her skills with mysteries and puzzles are still there. And they indicate that something at the Center is not right.

Then her determination kicks in. And I loved how she grows through the next part of the story. The trauma isn’t immediately cured. But she has a distraction – a project, a calling to focus on.

The mystery was good. One small twist or two, but nothing super unexpected. I enjoyed watching Barbara re-discover that her mind, her hands and her instincts still work fine, even if her legs do not. And she doesn’t have to face anything alone.

I’m curious to see how DC plans to put all of these new stories together. For example, this Barbara Gordon story doesn’t line up at all with the Barbara Gordon parts of Shadow of the Batgirl. Also, there’s only a hint at “Oracle” in this, which was a little disappointing to me. But if this is going to be a series, this is a great start to establishing the character.

Fans of DC characters should check this one out – and don’t miss the other DC graphic novels coming out this year. I am thrilled about the DC publishing schedule for kids and teens for 2020!

DC has graciously provided some pictures of the interior of the book – check these out:

 

Rating: ♥♥♥♥