Tag: DC Comics

REVIEW: Super Sons: Polar Shield Project by Ridley Pearson

REVIEW: Super Sons: Polar Shield Project by Ridley Pearson

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

In a world plagued by climate disasters, Superman and Batman move their families inland to escape coastal flooding. Batman is working with the Polar Shield Project to hold global temperatures steady and eventually cool them and reverse some of the ecological damage. Superman is on a trip to Mars for a “dust” to help. Lois Lane (Kent) is working on the story.

Jonathan Kent, Superman’s son, and Ian Wayne, Batman’s son, find themselves in Wyndemere. They’re expected to keep their family secrets and blend in while their parents save the world.

Jon makes a friend at school, Tilly, who helps him get into the Daily Planet and secure internships so they can track Project Polar Shield – and find out why Lois hasn’t checked in.

Ian meets a mysterious girl named Candace and together the four kids start digging into a mysterious illness that’s moving through their region.

Review

I’ve been so excited about the new DC stories releasing for kids in 2019. But I was a little disappointed in this one.

Overall, I like the characters and the art. But the story is thin with some gaps. I realize that can happen with the graphic novel format. It’s hard to get the same level of depth and character development with a GN that you can with prose. But I have seen it done well in other instances. The creators came up with a way of displaying some internal monologues so you get the inner thoughts of the characters. But mostly they are short and full of teen attitude. While they fit the characters/voices well, they don’t do a lot to advance the story. This is first in a series, so there are plenty of things left open to develop in later books.

I think kids will enjoy the format and the characters. But I wanted more – more depth, more details, more character development. There’s plenty of backstory to establish some relationship details for the boys with their famous dads, but there are still some gaps I felt could have been addressed more fully. I hope book two will have some more of that depth I was looking for. Or maybe DC will add a prose novel or two to the line with these characters.

Rating: ♥♥♥

REVIEW: DC Super Hero Girls Graphic Novels by Shea Fontana

REVIEW: DC Super Hero Girls Graphic Novels by Shea Fontana

Posted on by Jaymie

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

DC Super Hero Girls Out of the Bottle – Summary

Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, Supergirl and Katana are in the art room at Super Hero High working on their comics project. Katana’s is one of the best their teacher has ever seen, but Wonder Woman and Harley Quinn are struggling with theirs. While Wonder Woman checks out Supergirl’s project, Harley decides to try their teacher’s “magic paint” on her own.

When Katana checks on Wonder Woman’s project in order to encourage her friend, one of Harley’s drawings has moved from her project onto Wonder Woman’s. And the comic version of Harley is only interested in causing trouble. Soon she is off the pages all together and hassling the heroes face to face. Then she sets all of their comic characters free, too – and they all become villains.

Review

This is a fun addition to the Super Hero High graphic novel collection. It was the sixth book in the series so far (although in some places it is marked as book 5), after Date with Disaster and before Search for Atlantis. The story for this one is delightfully wacky, which fits the focus on Harley, with more chaos in every chapter, especially when the art teacher gives in to her dark side. The solution to the runaway comic characters is a little cheesy, but I think kids will get a kick out of it (although it may elicit some groans). The story takes a serious turn at the end when the characters talk about anger management, mental health, and therapy. This seems like a great message for the audience – it’s okay to need help and to get help!

These are fun characters, familiar in a lot of ways but still growing up, learning about friendship, and gaining confidence in themselves and their gifts. This particular book had some nice moments celebrating creativity along with the usual friendship and teamwork themes. Fans of this series will gobble up this story.

This is a lighter, sillier version of the characters in Lisa Yee’s middle grade novels. One series or the other (or in my case, both!) will appeal to superhero fans in general as well as fans of these particular heroes.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

 

DC Super Hero Girls Search for Atlantis – Summary

Mera has arrived from Atlantis to go to Super Hero High. Wonder Woman offers to help her get settled in. The two become friends, leaving Bumblebee feeling left out. Mr. Fox, the weaponomics teacher, leads the heroes on a field trip to Atlantis. But after a battle with a giant squid the group discovers Atlantis has gone missing! It is a lost city once again.

The kids discover Brainiac has shrunken the city and keeps it on his ship. Their elaborate plan to rescue Atlantis requires Miss Martian to impersonate a criminal; the Teen Titans to back her up; and Bumblebee, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, and Mera to shrink down and wait in a fake miniature city until Miss Martian’s team sells it to Brainiac. What could possibly go wrong?!

Review

This series just gets better and better! I loved this story. It’s intricate with lots of suspense and conflict in each chapter. The characters are smart and play off one another in familiar ways (the Teen Titans are a great example). I loved the emphasis on Bumblebee, Raven and Miss Martian in this story. I know Raven from a few episodes of Teen Titans Go! and Miss Martian from Young Justice. I enjoy both of those characters a lot, so I loved seeing them get a lot of focus in this story. The author does a great job with these characters as well as with Bumblebee’s angst and jealousy over Wonder Woman’s friendship with Mera.

In the midst of superhero powers and super villain schemes, there’s a very relate-able friendship crisis that plays out through the larger Atlantis/Brainiac story that’s fantastic! Highly recommend.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu

REVIEW: Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Bruce Wayne is about to turn 18 and inherit a fortune and take over the family business. But one choice on a dark night changes his course in a way he doesn’t expect.

After an argument with a “friend,” Bruce drives off to clear his head. In a custom Aston Martin built for speed, Bruce drives around Gotham to process his thoughts. Sirens and curiosity lead Bruce into a police situation and a high speed chase. (Hey, the Aston Martin could keep up better than what the police were driving!) While he ultimately helped catch the criminal, he’s a civilian interfering in police business. So Bruce earns community service. At Arkham Asylum.

The Nightwalkers are a new, dangerous criminal element in Gotham. They target the rich and drain their bank accounts. They use the money to commit acts of terrorism and then kill their victims. One of the Nightwalkers is in Arkham, and she takes a liking to Bruce. She refuses to talk to anyone else, and the police need her talking. But she is more dangerous than Bruce can imagine.

Review

I have mixed feelings about the DC Universe in general, which I have mentioned before. And I’m not usually a big fan of Batman. But I love the whole idea of this DC Icons series. I have Wonder Woman Warbringer already, and Catwoman: Soul Stealer is on my wish list for August. Both the Wonder Woman book and this one about Batman have exceeded my expectations!

There are plenty of nods to the Batman cannon – probably more than I caught as I read this. I could see the hints of the hero/vigilante yet to come in Bruce’s thinking and drive. His choices here as a young man felt consistent with what I’ve seen of Batman in other venues over the years.

This story was terrific. Madeleine is a fascinating character full of secrets and lies. She is complex and nuanced. A perfect foil for Bruce Wayne. The Nightwalker situation was a great way to build tension and suspense. I was supremely happy with how all the pieces clicked together. I hope there will be more Batman books by Marie Lu! This was a joy to read.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: DC Superhero Girls: Date with Disaster! by Shea Fontana

REVIEW: DC Superhero Girls: Date with Disaster! by Shea Fontana

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Romance is in the air as the Super Hero High kids plan a dance and Batgirl sees her dad, Commissioner Gordon, on a date. Even Principal Waller has a boyfriend. Batgirl signs her dad up for a dating service because she doesn’t like the person he’s dating. But her plans to find true love for her dad backfire.

While the plans for the dance start coming together, and the kids start matchmaking for one another, there’s an explosion at STAR Labs. Dr Faulkner is hurt, and the mayor is trying to hide something. The kids will have to wait to put on their dancing shoes until they sort out what is really going on at STAR Labs.

Review

This was a fun story that really held together well.  There was a nice level of tension from chapter to chapter leading up to the end. The STAR Labs piece was especially well done. The matchmaking was more of a means to an end. It got people into places where they need to be for other parts of the story to take place.

Poison Ivy and Lois Lane had expanded roles in this story which was a lot of fun. The rest of the girls worked various angles on the mystery. The guys – Flash and Cyborg in particular – were more involved in the dance portions of the story.

This will be great for fans of the other graphic novels in this series as well as fans of the Lisa Yee middle grade novels and other DC properties. This is my favorite book so far in this graphic novel series.

Thanks to Netgalley and DC Comics for the opportunity to read an electronic review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Teen Titans Vol 1: Damian Knows Best by Benjamin Percy

REVIEW: Teen Titans Vol 1: Damian Knows Best by Benjamin Percy

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Damian Wayne. Son of Batman. Grandson of Ra’s Al Ghul. Heir to the League of Assassins – until he chose his father’s path instead.

Batman. Absentee father. Damian spends his 13th birthday with his butler. His grandfather sends him a gift that he has been marked for death. Great birthday.

Starfire. Raven. Kid Flash. Beast Boy. All with powers that could make them heroes, but flawed and trapped by their own pasts. Together, as a team, they could be so much more than they have been alone. But trust is hard to come by. And it’s hard to build trust while a team of assassins is trying to kill you.

A ragtag set of heroes will find out if they have any hope of becoming a team.

Review

I really enjoyed this! I’m not much of a DC Comics person, but our family loves the Young Justice series that was on TV several years ago. And I like the idea of the characters on Teen Titans Go, but the stupidity of the show makes me want to beat my head against a wall. But this storyline was smart and enjoyable. I really enjoyed the characterization in this graphic novel. I felt like I had enough information about each character to enjoy the story and not feel like I was “behind” already. I’d like more backstory, but I’m also fascinated by how this group might band together to eventually become a team. And there is plenty of conflict potential still there for future stories.

The art is beautiful. I’m extremely picky about the art styles I enjoy. I’ll give up on a good story if the art doesn’t work for me or becomes a distraction. This art is terrific and really worked for telling this story well. I would definitely read more in this series. Volume 2 should release in March. (Some language)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Lois Lane Triple Threat by Gwenda Bond

REVIEW: Lois Lane Triple Threat by Gwenda Bond

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

So far, Lois Lane has taken down two criminals. One was experimenting on kids and turning them into a single-minded weapon, and the other experimented on a friend’s sister to frame the mayor and shake things up in Metropolis.

Now Lois is itching for a new story – and just in time as a group of super-powered kids have been sighted around Metropolis. So far they’re just a spectacle, but they seem to be targeting Lois.

As if this case isn’t enough to keep her occupied, things are heating up with SmallvilleGuy and the “flying man” situation. SmallvilleGuy is coming to Metropolis to meet Lois face-to-face. Lois’ dad, the general, is off to Smallville to look for information on the flying man. And the general’s information seems to be coming from The Inventor. SmallvilleGuy might trust The Inventor, but Lois isn’t convinced he’s really on their side.

It all comes together in this exciting third book in the Lois Lane series.

Review

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series by Gwenda Bond. I’m not a huge DC Comics fan, but the books I have been reading – Superhero High and this series, are starting to change that for me.

I have enjoyed the characters even more than the mysteries in this series, and that’s especially true for this book. On it’s own, the mystery in this was a slow start and a quick finish. I had some unanswered questions at the end. Maybe those things were left open in case the publisher decides to add to the series later (I hope so!! The author said on Twitter this summer that there are no plans at this time for more books in the series. It’s too bad. I would snap up more if she wrote them!)

But the character pieces, especially the Lois and SmallvilleGuy parts in this particular story are excellent. Their time face-to-face was a perfect culmination of the lead up in the previous books. We don’t get as much time with the other kids at The Scoop in this one, which I missed. But the pieces with The Inventor were a nice addition. Lots of open-ended issues with that character, too, which would make for awesome future stories (hint, hint, Capstone Press!)

I have loved this whole series. I highly recommend it for strong storytelling; excellent, nuanced characters; and clean adventures for teen readers.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Summer Olympus by Shea Fontana

REVIEW: Summer Olympus by Shea Fontana

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

It’s summer break at Super Hero High. Wonder Woman has been invited to Olympus by her father, Zeus, to spend time with the godly side of her family. She invites her friends to join her but most have plans. Super Girl, Big Barda and Lady Shiva are heading to the Kent’s farm in Kansas for the summer. Batgirl, Beast Boy and Katana are touring Europe. So Bumblebee is the only one who can go to Olympus with Wonder Woman. But one best friend is more than enough!

While there, the heroes meet Wonder Woman’s siblings including Ares, the god of war. Meanwhile, Super Girl and friends are tackling farm chores and the Europe gang is tracking a thief who is stealing Greek artifacts.

It all comes to a head in Olympus when the thief is revealed and the Olympians wage war on Metropolis – and on the kids from Super Hero High!

Review

Such a fun story! I love the graphic novel format which gives an image for all the DC characters. Some are less familiar to me than others, and I appreciate seeing what they look like. It’s especially helpful when I go back to the Lisa Yee middle grade books which aren’t illustrated (Katana, the latest in that series, is out this summer!).

At the core, this story is about identity. Wonder Woman is a demigod – half Olympian god, and half Amazon. Growing up an Amazon, she feels comfortable in Themyscira and knows who she is there. In Olympus, she feels less certain about how she fits in – or if she belongs there at all.

While it starts as just the BFFs, Wonder Woman and Bumblebee, the whole student body of Super Hero High gets into the act when the battle hits Metropolis. This is a fun story for fans of the property and and good introduction for those new to Super Hero High.

Thanks to the publisher, DC Comics, for an electronic review copy of Summer Olympus in exchange for an honest review!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Lois Lane: Fall Out by Gwenda Bond

REVIEW: Lois Lane: Fall Out by Gwenda Bond

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Lois Lane and her family have moved to Metropolis. Her dad hopes a more permanent post might give Lois some stability. And it is Lois’ intention to stay out of trouble at her new school. For once.

But that commitment to keep her head down and do what her dad expects goes right out the window when Lois sees a student being bullied. The principal ignores it. Actually says bullying helps toughen kids up and makes them prepared for the real world.

So Lois uses her job as a student reporter for the Daily Planet’s teen online newspaper to report what she’s seeing and hearing. Before long, everything blows up in her face – she’s grounded and threatened with military school, her friend has been sucked in by the bullies, and another friend is in danger.

If the powers that be think a little turmoil is going to get Lois Lane to back down, they really don’t understand her at all!

Review

Such a FUN take on the Lois Lane/Superman story! In this case, they are teens and only know each other online. Lois has no idea who SmallvilleGuy really is but the reader gets to enjoy little nods to the Clark Kent/Superman character.

Lois is fantastic. She’s like some of my favorite teen characters – Tess from The Fixer or Lizzie from Gini Koch’s Alien series. She has no tolerance for bullies or injustice. She’s willing to deal with the personal consequences of doing the right thing. The cast around her is great. I can’t wait to read book 2 and get to know them better.

The mystery is good. It’s bullying on the surface but much more underneath. There’s a supernatural/X-files-ish tone to it that was interesting and unexpected. The ending is satisfying but several loose ends remain which may come into play in future stories.

Great mystery. Smart, strong characters. I’m looking forward to reading the other books in this series. Book 2 is Double Down. Book 3 is Triple Threat.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Batgirl at Super Hero High by Lisa Yee

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

After helping with the major attack in book 2 (Supergirl at Super Hero High), Batgirl earns a place at Super Hero High. Even though she has no super powers, she is welcomed into the school community with mostly open arms. Her teachers adore her. Only one shows any resistance to her placement there – Commissioner Gordon. Her father.

Barbara/Batgirl is determined to secure her place at Super Hero High and fulfill her dream of fighting crime. Her father is equally determined to keep her home and keep her safe.

Is there any way both of them can be happy?

Review

My favorite book in this series so far! I fell in love with Barbara Gordon’s character when I read the Supergirl book in this series. I was thrilled to see that she was going to get her own story next. And the book lived up to my hopes.

Batgirl is appealing to me because she doesn’t have traditional superpowers. She’s brilliant, and she uses her intellect to create gadgets for herself and tech solutions for everyone else.

One of the things I like about this series is that the core of each book is about each girl establishing her own identity and/or overcoming some issue (confidence, loneliness, etc.) to start developing into the hero she has potential to be. Yes, there’s a villain and a plot to foil and a battle to wage and win. But those things only facilitate the character development going on. In Batgirl’s case, she is dealing with identity issues like the rest. In her case, they center around competing as a non-superpowered individual, individuating from her dad while still keeping a relationship him, over-committing, and letting herself be part of a  team. I loved every minute of the process for Batgirl!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½

Katana gets the next book in the series this summer!

REVIEW: DC Super Hero Girls Graphic Novels by Shea Fontana

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Graphic novels based on the DC Super Hero High story line (including novels by Lisa Yee).

In the first graphic novel, Finals Crisis, several of the girls are captured by a  mysterious figure right before their final exams. The only way they can escape and get to their exams on time will be to work together.  In the second story, Hits and Myths, the school English teacher goes missing and the Batplane is stolen. The kids will have to work together to solve both mysteries.

DC Super Hero High Graphic Novels

Review

These are fun stories for the young fans of DC heroes – and villains. The comics are fun, allowing each character to show his/her powers (It’s not just the girls, although they are the focus. Beast Boy and the Flash make appearances). I especially liked the first book because there was a “chapter” focus on each of the main girls. The mythology tie in for book 2 wasn’t as strong as I expected it to be. The theme of working together ran through both stories.

These books would be a great starting place for new fans who want to get to know the main characters (Wonder Woman, Batgirl, Supergirl, Katana, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, etc.) with a visual story.

These are also a great tie in with the middle grade novels, pictured below. I have really enjoyed the middle grade series. They give more depth to the characters introduced here in the graphic novels. But I find myself wishing for more pictures when I read the novels. These graphic novels meet that need.

Rating: ♥♥♥