A worthy addition to the expansive Batman corpus
A pre-Batman Bruce Wayne takes his first strides toward becoming the Caped Crusader.
In this graphic adaptation of the novel by the same name, 18-year-old newly minted billionaire Wayne wrestles with increasingly adult issues: how to control his newfound power in managing his deceased parents’ fortune, facing the unknown once high school ends, and an intense call to defend the city he loves. When a nefarious group known as the Nightwalkers descends upon Gotham City, reigning terror upon the rich, Bruce begins his first foray into vigilantism. Unimpressed by his attempts, he is reprimanded by the GCPD and sent to work at Arkham Asylum, where he befriends enigmatic inmate Madeleine, a Nightwalker with a dark past. Like most Batman tales, the lines between good and evil are nebulous, and as Bruce struggles with issues like economic inequality, he learns he must define those boundaries himself. With electric pacing and dynamic black-and-white illustrations punctuated with bright splashes of yellow, Moore’s (The Zodiac Legacy, 2017, etc.) adaptation of Lu’s (Wildcard, 2018, etc.) novel is a visual delight with all the cinematic panache one would expect from the superhero franchise. Focusing upon Wayne before he fully adopted his Batman persona, this makes for a fine jumping in point for both seasoned fans and newcomers alike. Wayne presents as white, but secondary characters are ethnically diverse.
A worthy addition to the expansive Batman corpus . (Graphic fiction. 12-adult)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4012-8004-8
Page Count: 208
Publisher: DC Ink
Review Posted Online: June 22, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2019
Hinds adds another magnificent adaptation to his oeuvre (King Lear, 2009, etc.) with this stunning graphic retelling of Homer’s epic. Following Odysseus’s journey to return home to his beloved wife, Penelope, readers are transported into a world that easily combines the realistic and the fantastic. Gods mingle with the mortals, and not heeding their warnings could lead to quick danger; being mere men, Odysseus and his crew often make hasty errors in judgment and must face challenging consequences. Lush watercolors move with fluid lines throughout this reimagining. The artist’s use of color is especially striking: His battle scenes are ample, bloodily scarlet affairs, and Polyphemus’s cave is a stifling orange; he depicts the underworld as a colorless, mirthless void, domestic spaces in warm tans, the all-encircling sea in a light Mediterranean blue and some of the far-away islands in almost tangibly growing greens. Don’t confuse this hefty, respectful adaptation with some of the other recent ones; this one holds nothing back and is proudly, grittily realistic rather than cheerfully cartoonish. Big, bold, beautiful. (notes) (Graphic classic. YA)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4266-2
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Sept. 15, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2010
A whimsical, enchanting, and celebratory read.
Seventeen-year-old Tabitha Laurie has been a devoted fan of Sommerland theme park since she was a little girl.
Tabi, who has dark brown skin and Afro-textured hair, believes in the magic Sommerland offers—including the promise of true love—especially after facing the shock of her parents’ divorce. After securing a position in the park’s summer program for high schoolers, Tabi is excited, declaring that “happily ever after begins with working at Sommerland.” But she quickly learns that other employees don’t feel the same enthusiasm and in fact have numerous complaints about the guests and work conditions. Despite this, Tabi dreams of becoming a character actor—in particular Princess Madeline, the brown-skinned princess she was thrilled to meet as a child. But she’s assigned to a nacho stand instead. She auditions for one of the coveted princess positions but quickly learns that “there are no fat princesses in Sommerland.” As Tabi navigates her feelings of insecurity, she tries not to lose her sense of the park’s magic. The bright, colorful illustrations, which emphasize the characters’ emotions, set the stage for a delightfully affirming story of learning to accept yourself despite what others may say. Even with the very quick pacing, the storytelling is strong. Meyer explores themes of body positivity and bullying as Tabi contends with cutting comments about her size but ultimately creates and spreads joy with support from those who value her as she is.
A whimsical, enchanting, and celebratory read. (Graphic fiction. 12-18)Pub Date: June 3, 2025
ISBN: 9781250379399
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Review Posted Online: March 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2025
PERSPECTIVES
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
