Tag: graphic novel reviews

Bad Dream: A Dreamer Story by Nicole Maines and Illustrated by Rye Hickman Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A young woman facing a destiny that was never hers must learn to accept herself to save those she loves in author Nicole Maines’s “Bad Dream: A Dreamer Story.”

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The Synopsis

Dreamer’s origin story has finally arrived, featuring characters from Galaxy: The Prettiest Star in DC’s first YA crossover!!

Nia Nal’s spent her whole life taking a back seat to her older sister, Maeve, who’s expected to inherit their mother’s Naltorian powers—the ability to see the future through dreams. But when Nia starts having visions of the future, she must suppress her powers to protect her relationship with her sister. There’s only one problem: Nia can’t stay awake forever…

From actress, activist, and writer Nicole Maines, who originated the role of Dreamer—the first trans superhero on TV—and artist Rye Hickman comes the highly anticipated origin story of a girl who must accept her destiny to discover she’s more powerful than she could ever dream of.

The Review

Of all the characters that have been introduced into DC Comics in recent years, my two favorites have been Jon Kent’s Superman and Dreamer. Between author and actress Nicole Maines stellar performance on the acclaimed television series Supergirl as the titular hero Dreamer, or the hero’s introduction into mainstream DC Comics, Nia Nal’s rise to heroism and the complexity of her character arc, she is one of the best characters to arrive in the modern DC Comics age and a great representation of the direction comics needs to be taking. Seeing a cosmic, spiritual, and thought-provoking narrative from the actress who brought the character to life and breathed fresh life into the world of DC Comics made this graphic novel so special.

The crossover and connection shared with newcomer Galaxy, another new DC Comics hero, and the balance the author found with both action and storytelling was incredible. The vibrant colors and bright artwork from Rye Hickman were sensational, and the depth of mythos the author explored in Dreamer’s backstory helped elevate what fans knew of the character from her time on Supergirl and took it to a whole new level. The twists and turns in the story also helped elevate the LGBTQ+ themes, providing a much-needed exploration of the power of identity and acceptance, as well as facing the challenges of the ignorance many people have towards the transgender community, especially.

The Verdict

Compelling, entertaining, and brilliantly written, “Bad Dream: A Dreamer Story” by author Nicole Maines and artist Rye Hickman is a must-read DC Comics graphic novel. The twists and turns of the narrative, the beautiful illustrations, and the vital messaging behind this remarkable origin story solidified why Nicole Maines is not only an emerging voice in the comics world but a much-needed voice that is powerful and invokes great emotion and thought in every piece she brings to life, and Dreamer is the perfect hero to represent that. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Nicole Maines is an actress, activist, and writer paving the way for LGBTQ+ youth on and off the screen. Maines’s breakout role came on The CW’s Supergirl, where she starred as Nia Nal, a.k.a. Dreamer, making her TV’s first transgender Super Hero. She wrote Dreamer’s comic book debut in DC’s 2021 Pride anthology and has since gone on to pen numerous other comics for DC, including Superman: Son of Kal-El #13 with Tom Taylor, Lazarus Planet: Assault on Krypton #1, Harley Quinn, and DC’s upcoming Dreamer YA graphic novel. Maines has been nominated for a GLAAD Media Award and was a Variety Power of Young Hollywood and Power of Pride honoree. She was also a 2020 Human Rights Campaign Upstander Award honoree for her activism and continues to be a tireless champion for trans rights. Her biography, Becoming Nicole: The Transformation of an American Family, was a Stonewall Honor Book in nonfiction, a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for transgender nonfiction, and a New York Times bestseller.

https://www.instagram.com/nicoleamaines

Rye Hickman (previously published as Jen Hickman) is a visual storyteller based out of Denver. Past work includes The Harrowing, Bad Dream, Buzzing, and more. They get really excited about dystopian fiction, good coffee, and drawing hands.

https://ryehickman.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ryehickmandraws

This Land is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story by Julio Anta and Artist Jacoby Salcedo Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A teenager must fight to protect humanity and his community in author Julio Anta’s “This Land is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story.”

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The Synopsis

Writer Julio Anta and artist Jacoby Salcedo, the dynamic team behind the young adult graphic novel Frontera, take readers on a gripping and inspiring journey filled with high stakes and heart as Jaime embraces his new calling as Blue Beetle!Jaime Reyes is an ordinary high school student in El Paso, Texas, with a deep love for his family, culture, and home, and loves nothing more than his neighborhood’s spontaneous gatherings that go late into the night. But lately, he’s begun to realize that he and his border community are being used as pawns in an increasingly toxic immigration debate. The last few months have seen armed troops deployed along the U.S. and Mexico border, manufactured crackdowns at official border crossings, and a mounting resentment among a group of disaffected and reactionary youth.Jaime’s problems get even more complicated when he finds an odd bug-like artifact while stargazing. He starts feeling a little different—like there’s another voice in his head pushing him toward his most base instincts. And to make matters worse, he’s been having surreal dreams that show him that the true threat El Paso faces isn’t “illegal aliens” but actual aliens known as the Reach. In fact, according to his dreams, Jaime is meant to pave the way for the Reach’s impending invasion!

The Review

This was such a powerful and inspiring read. The earthy tones of the artist’s work allowed the narrative to shine brightly in this graphic novel and were a great juxtaposition to the vibrant blues associated with Blue Beetle and the cosmos as a whole. The action and the way the writer explored the origins of both Jamie Reyes and the Reach/Blue Beetle felt both fresh and original, and a significant expansion on the lore from DC Comics as a whole. 

Yet at its core, this story was both socially relevant and morally impactful. The horrific actions the people of the United States are witnessing with immigration rights and the actions taken by ICE have not only dominated newswires for the last few months, but have elevated tensions and created more fear and uncertainty than ever before. This story not only touches on these fears and showcases the harm that it causes, but also shows a path of unity and commitment to a more open, heartfelt, and understanding path that celebrates our differing cultures and how much stronger our nation is together than it is torn apart. Themes of identity, social justice, and family all converge effortlessly, lending this sci-fi epic a sense of groundedness and connection to our world.

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, enduring, and compelling, author Julio Anta’s “This Land is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story” is a must-read graphic novel. A great DC Comics graphic novel, both Anta’s writing and Jacoby Salcedo’s artwork mesh seamlessly and help tell an essential story of identity that will stay with readers long after the book ends. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Julio Anta is the author of many graphic novels and comic books for young readers and adults including Frontera, his young adult debut illustrated by frequent collaborator Jacoby Salcedo, and Sí, Se Puede: The Latino Heroes Who Changed the United States, a non-fiction graphic novel illustrated by Yasmín Flores Montañez.

Julio was born and raised in Miami, Florida, and currently resides in New York City where he works to tell narratively rich stories about a diverse range of Latinx characters for readers of all ages. Forthcoming work includes a slate of graphic novels for HarperAlley, Random House Graphic, First Second and DC Comics.

https://www.julioanta.com/

Jacoby Salcedo, is a comic book illustrator who is based in Olympia, Washington. He is the co-creator of the Harper Collins YA graphic novel, FRONTERA with frequent collaborator, Julio Anta. He is also the artist on Dark Horse mini-series, IT’S ONLY TEENAGE WASTELAND with writer Curt Pires. Jacoby has been featured in multiple comic anthologies such as DC’s Legion of Bloom, Panel X Panel, Graphic Mundi’s Covid Chronicles, and the GLAAD award winning Young Men in Love. His next project is THIS LAND IS OUR LAND: A BLUE BEETLE STORY, from DC with Julio releasing October 2024.

https://www.jacobysalcedoart.com/

Barda by Ngozi Ukazu Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A fierce warrior on a hellish planet discovers the possibility of hope and love in author Ngozi Ukazu’s “Barda” from DC Comics.

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The Synopsis

Join New York Times bestselling writer-artist Ngozi Ukazu (Check, Please!) as she takes readers on an unforgettable journey of self-discovery, deep friendships, and first loves!Darkseid is…and life on Apokolips is tough—but then, it is hell, after all. And no one knows this better than Barda, Granny Goodness’s right-hand warrior. But Barda has a secret…she is in love. Or she is drawn to the idea of it, anyway, whether it be the beauty of a flower; her affection for her closest friend, Aurelie; or the mysterious and fierce enemy warrior Orion, who isthe only match for Barda’s strength.When Granny decides Barda is becoming too soft, she assigns Barda a task that might be more than she can handle—to break the seemingly unbreakable Scott Free. And as Barda questions why Scott has such hope and what he might have done to provoke such hatred from Granny, she finds herself drawn to him in a way she never expected.The only thing is, we do not speak of love on Apokolips…

The Review

As a longtime fan of DC Comics, getting to see a story centered around Barda was fantastic. The lore behind Apokolips and its ruler, Darkseid, is intricately woven into the fabric of DC Comics, and seeing life on the planet and how Darkseid is both feared and revered by its citizens and servants come to life on the page was chilling. The muted tones of the artwork did an excellent job of capturing the gritty, darker tone and atmosphere of Apokolips. At the same time, the brighter moments on other worlds and between Barda and Scott served as a firm reminder of the glimmers of hope that emerged as a defining aspect of Barda’s character.

The heart of this graphic novel lies in the character development and themes, particularly the idea of hope in a hopeless place. The evolution of Barda, from a fierce warrior and leader of the Furies to a strong soldier who experiences love and kindness for the first time in her life, made this a compelling narrative to get lost in. The duality of Barda as a character, embracing both her fierce strength and her growing love, not only serves as a bridge between her people and the New Gods on New Genesis, but also as a vivid example of both leadership and heroism in the face of fascism. Her love and heart, as well as the inspiration Scott Free brings to life, made the theme of hope so powerful in this story.

The Verdict

Thoughtful, memorable, and entertaining, author Ngoni Ukase’s “Barda” is a must-read graphic novel and a great deep dive into an excellent DC Comics character. The mythos surrounding the New Gods, Darkseid, and Apokolips was greatly expanded upon, and the twists and turns in the narrative help elevate the emotional and hopeful tones of the story as a whole. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Ngozi Ukazu is a DC Comics artist, New York Times-bestselling graphic novelist, and the creator of comics like Check, Please!, BUNT!, and the forthcoming graphic novel FLIP. She graduated from Yale University with a degree in Computing in the Arts, and since 2020 her cartoons have appeared in The New Yorker.

https://www.ngoziu.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ngoziu

Last of the Pops by Adam Wilson (Illustrated by Dr. Demus and Dapit Jumar) Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Twenty years after radio waves suddenly powered down, a group of people are brought together when the radio turns back on in author Adam Wilson’s “Last of the Pops”.

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The Synopsis

Not many people noticed the day the airwaves went silent. Thousands of radio stations across the country powered down for the last time. Twenty years on, even fewer noticed the day the towers came back to life, broadcasting on repeat, a handful of songs that don’t exist.

An experiment in sequential and epostolary storytelling, Wilson, Demus, Paratone, and Jamit present the soundtrack of a wannabe podcaster, a teen graffitti artist and her estranged brother, a former disc jockey, the newest owner of a vinyl legacy, and a tortured singer on the cusp of greatness.

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The Review

This was such a fantastic, well-written graphic novel. The distinctive difference between artistic styles alternating between each story highlighted the talent and tone each illustrator brought to the narrative. The emotional depth of each character’s experiences in their respective chapters and the way music and sound highlighted each story helped elevate the significance of each character’s arc.

This graphic novel stood out because it honed in on relatable, everyday emotions. Rather than focusing on how the radio stations disappeared and reappeared two decades later, the chapters honed in on how music and sound, in general, impacted the character’s feelings and overall journey. The stories tapped into everything from friendship and love to inspiration and connectivity among our fellow human beings. 

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The Verdict

Thought-provoking, memorable, and engaging author Adam Wilson’s “Last of the Pops” is an incredible and exciting graphic novel. The depth and heart that went into these characters and their journey, as well as the thoughtful approach to such deep subject matter, kept me enthralled by the developing stories in this book. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

A former comic editor, Adam Wilson is one of the co-publishers of Read Furiously and an award winning comic writer, His works includes Brian & Bobbi, In the Fallout, Helium, and the upcoming graphic novel Last of the Pops. He co-writes the graphic novel series The MOTHER Principle and edits the anthology series Life in the Garden State with his partner S. Atzeni. Together they live in West Trenton with their son and cat.

https://www.lifeinasplashpage.com/p/home.html

Asteria: The Legend of the Fallen Star: Book One by Morgan Middleton Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

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A shy young teenage girl finds herself thrust into the battle to save all galaxies in author Morgan Middleton’s “Asteria: The Legend of the Fallen Star: Book One”. 

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The Synopsis

Fourteen-year-old Celeste Evans has perfected the art of camouflage, inspired in part by her life on an army base, but mostly by her shyness. She prefers to slip under the radar, but when she is plucked from her ordinary suburban life and placed into a galactic military boarding school, Celeste must squash her own insecurities and find her true purpose. Does she have the strength to hone her powers to fight for the preservation of all galaxies, or will time run out for those she loves and for countless others?

This is the first book in a series.

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The Review

This was a captivating and adventurous read. The author does a great job crafting a wholly original sci-fi epic that is visually stunning and written compellingly. The rich mythology and backstory the author developed with the looming threat to the galaxies at play and the graphic novel’s unique illustration style helped capture the narrative’s larger-than-life status.

The heart of this story resonated with the character development and the powerful theme of destiny. The way Celeste was developed made the reader feel like they were represented in the narrative, as she finds herself transported to this whole other world and galaxy and away from the life she knew. Her connection to this universe and the developing nature of her role in this coming battle made the reader feel invested, and the themes at play in the story allowed the reader to feel the sense of destiny that Celeste exudes in this story.

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The Verdict

Memorable, engaging, and thrilling, author Morgan Middleton’s “Asteria: The Legend of the Fallen Star: Book One” is a must-read action and adventure meets sci-fi graphic novel/manga. The twists and turns in the narrative and the cliffhanger ending will keep readers eager to get the next volume of this mesmerizing story. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Morgan Middleton (she/her) is a singer-actress, producer and writer. She is creator, producer and director of a one-woman show designed to highlight the power of music as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Morgan was named a grantee of The Boston Foundation and a 2020-2021 Turn The Spotlight Fellow. Her passion is bringing underrepresented people into focus and showcasing them in their best light. She is currently performing in and around the Chicago area and is an advocate for the arts. Ms. Middleton completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Southern California and her master’s degree at New England Conservatory of Music.

https://morganacity.com/

Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story by Sarah Kuhn Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A small-town teenage Lois Lane must navigate the big city and face setback after setback as she pursues her dreams of journalistic glory in author Sarah Kuhn’s “Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story”.

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The Synopsis

Can Lois Lane open herself up to friendship, romance, and being vulnerable in order to get the future that’s right for her?  She might have to change her entire life plan to find out.

Ambitious small town girl Lois Lane tackles a summer in the big city with gusto, but a cavalcade of setbacks—including an annoying frenemy roommate, a beyond tedious internship at a suddenly corporatized website, and a boss who demotes her to coffee-fetching minion—threatens to derail her extremely detailed life plan. And, you know, her entire future.

When Lois uncovers a potentially explosive scandal, she must team up with the last person she’d expect to publish her own website for young women. And as Lois discovers who she really is and what she actually wants, she becomes embroiled in her own scandal that could destroy everything she’s worked so hard to create.

From beloved author, Sarah Kuhn (Shadow of the Batgirl, Heroine Complex), and with expressive and lively art by Arielle Jovellanos, comes a charming YA story about the strength it takes to embrace the messiness of life.

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The Review

As a lifelong fan of Lois Lane, I loved this new take on the iconic character from DC Comics. The way the author was able to incorporate elements of DC lore and characters into the narrative without making this a typical superhero-driven story was great to see, as it allowed Lois and the cast of characters to shine in their own light. The book had a great balance of both character and narrative development, giving readers equal time to enjoy this modern take on this small corner of the DC Universe while also giving time for these characters to shine.

To me, the heart of this story rested in the retconned character development and the important themes the narrative brought to life. Lois Lane became the perfect character to voice these themes, having been a longtime icon of journalistic integrity and a voice for the truth in DC Comics. The emphasis on issues such as racism, sexism, and the complications of modern friendships in different cultures made this story flow smoothly, while the new take on Lois as an Asian-American young woman just starting out on her path to becoming a journalist allowed both her character to grow and the importance of her Asian culture to shine through in this brilliant story. Combined with the warm and creative artwork of Arielle Jovellanos made this a captivating graphic novel.

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The Verdict

Memorable, iconic, and entertaining, author Sarah Kuhn and illustrator Arielle Jovelianos’s “Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story” is a must-read graphic novel of 2023 and one of my contenders for the top graphic novel of the year. The heartfelt commentary on the battle between overall acceptance in our society versus the “anti-woke” proponents and the overall message to give people the voice to speak their truth made this a captivating and thoughtful DC Comics graphic novel. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Sarah Kuhn is the author of Heroine Complex—the first in a series starring Asian American superheroines—for DAW Books. She also wrote The Ruby Equation for the comics anthology Fresh Romance and the romantic comedy novella One Con Glory, which earned praise from io9 and USA Today and is in development as a feature film. Her articles and essays on such topics as geek girl culture, comic book continuity, and Sailor Moon cosplay have appeared in Uncanny Magazine, Apex Magazine, AngryAsianMan.com, IGN.com, Back Stage, The Hollywood Reporter, StarTrek.com, Creative Screenwriting, and the Hugo-nominated anthology Chicks Dig Comics. In 2011, she was selected as a finalist for the CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) New Writers Award.

http://www.heroinecomplex.com/

Arielle Jovellanos is a Filipina-American illustrator, writer & comic artist who specializes in narrative illustrations with an eye for character interaction and cute clothing. Her most recent projects include Black Star, an original sci-fi graphic novel written by Eric Anthony Glover for Abrams Megascope, and Evil Thing: A Villains Graphic Novel (Disney-Hyperion) adapted from Serena Valentino’s bestselling Cruella De Vil novel. Her work has also been featured in the Eisner & Harvey nominated anthology Fresh Romance and in magazines, comics, books, and branded social media campaigns. She is currently adjunct faculty in the illustration department at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

https://www.arielle-jovellanos.com/

La Estrada: Season One-Episode 1 by Andrew D. Daily (Illustrated by Alex Vede) Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A mysterious portal leads to a missing child, and a mother who must work against powerful politicians and untold dangers to find her child before it is too late in author Andrew D. Daily’s “La Estrada: Season One-Episode 1”. 

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The Synopsis

La Entrada – Season One, Episode One is the first graphic novel of this epic series.

A child disappears when an other-worldly portal forms outside of Mexico City. To find him, his mother must partner with a renegade professor and face the politicians that stand in their way. The mysteries of La Entrada will shake their existence and alter the comforts of civilization.

This experimental graphic novel emulates television through black and white storyboard artwork. From the intense mind of Andrew D. Daily and brilliant digital illustrator Alex Vede, we are introduced to the beginning of a power clash not seen since the conquistador invasion of 1519.

The Review

This was such a fantastic and entertaining graphic novel. The author did a marvelous job of finding a way of translating an episode of television into graphic novel form. The rich culture and settings of this story felt vibrant and alive on the page, and the story flowed just as smoothly as an hour-long drama. The striking contrast of the sci-fi/paranormal elements of the overarching plot with the more twisted and nefarious plots of political corruption made the narrative come to life on the page. 

The heart of this story came down to character development. The interwoven stories of the people caught in this maelstrom of mystery and intrigue made the larger plot of suspenseful drama that much more emotionally investing. From a mother desperate to find her missing son to a professor shunned by his community for outlandish ideas and two political rivals sparring over who is to become the next Presidente of Mexico amidst this powerful and unexplainable event, each subplot revealed characters that could immediately carry this “show”. 

The Verdict

Memorable, heartfelt, and engaging as a story, author Andrew D. Daily’s “La Entrada: Season One-Episode One” is a must-read graphic novel. The television landscape of this story and the artwork’s amazing capture of this style of storytelling from artist Alex Vede is a brilliant combination, and the heart and passion for which these characters bring this narrative to life were fantastic to read. A story deserving of a television narrative, the shocking twists and turns in the story, as well as the shocking final pages of this growing mystery, made this one graphic novel readers are not going to want to miss. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Andrew is a television writer, producer, and production manager living in Los Angeles, CA.

Shark Tank on ABC was his first big break in TV as an art department production assistant. He was quickly spotted for his administrative skills and found mentors in production management, where he climbed the ranks. The unscripted shows he has worked on include Miss Universe, Paradise Hotel, The Voice, and The Grammy’s. He has also worked on several scripted shows, including Blunt Talk, Dr. Ken, and Insecure, as well as digital content when he co-launched The Rock’s YouTube channel as a line producer and writer.

For its three-night live presentation, Andrew co-wrote O Little Town of Bloomington, a Christmas musical that sold out the Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena, CA.

Before transitioning to full-time writing, he developed his craft by breaking down scripts minute-by-minute and writing over twenty pilots of his own. He created several Graphic Novels, including La Entrada, available through Amazon.

Follow him on Instagram: @dailyman

https://www.hawthorneent.com/

Mister Miracle: The Great Escape by Varian Johnson  (Illustrated by Daniel Isles) Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A young man eager to escape the hellscape of Apokolips must contend with his loyalty to his friends, a promise to protect someone close to his mentor, and a growing bond with one of his school’s deadliest warriors in author Varian Johnson and illustrator Daniel Isles’s “Mister Miracle: The Great Escape”, the latest graphic novel from DC Comics.

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The Synopsis

Falling in love was never part of the escape plan.

Scott Free is a student at the Goodness Academy, on the planet Apokolips, ruled by Lord Darkseid. Sounds pretty cool, right? Wrong. Scott Free wants nothing more than to leave Apokolips for planet Earth; the only problem is that no one has ever left Apokolips of their own free will…or alive.

Scott Free has a plan, a foolproof plan, a plan that his found family depends on for their own freedom. But that plan never involved falling in love with the head of the Female Furies, Big Barda-the one person tasked with ensuring he never escapes.

From the Coretta Scott King Honor-winning author of The Parker Inheritance, Varian Johnson, and afrofuturist artist Daniel Isles (DirtyRobot) comes the story of an escape plan that will take a miracle to pull off. Lucky for Scott, everyone calls him MISTER MIRACLE! Okay, fine, no one calls him that…yet.

The Review

This was such a powerful and fantastic read for both DC fans and YA fans alike. The exploration of one of DC Comics most hostile and chilling settings and the hierarchy that resides on the planet was such a refreshing change of pace, and focusing on a love story that is rarely shown in the grand scheme of things in the multiverse was amazing to watch unfold, especially in a YA setting. Apokolips proved to be the perfect fictional world to explore class systems and racism as a whole, showing that while those such as Prince Kalibak and Darkseid themselves look down upon everyone, even those that serve them have others to look down upon, and highlights the damage and hatred that kind of mindset can bring about in others.

The characters were the true heart of the narrative. Scott is the perfect YA hero here, giving readers a personal perspective of life in Granny Goodness’s orphanage, an iconic DC location in comics, and showing how he and Barda met and fell in love in a fresh and socially relevant way was amazing to read. The diversity and action balanced well with one another, and the deep-cut DC Comics characters and locations will have DC fans thrilled. 

The Verdict

A memorable, fresh, and entertaining YA and DC Comics graphic novel, author Varian Johnson and Daniel Isles’s “Mister Miracle: The Great Escape” is a must-read graphic novel and the perfect start to DC Comics’ 2022 schedule. The action, the muted tones in the art to highlight the despair that comes from a life on Apokolips, and fantastic character growth made this a brilliant read. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Varian Johnson is the author of several novels for children and young adults, including The Parker Inheritance, which won both Coretta Scott King Author Honor and Boston Globe/Horn Book Honor awards; The Great Greene Heist, an ALA Notable Children’s book and Kirkus Reviews Best Book; and the graphic novel Twins, illustrated by Shannon Wright, an NPR Best Book.

Varian was born in Florence, South Carolina, and attended the University of Oklahoma, where he received a BS in Civil Engineering. He later received an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and is honored to now be a member of the faculty. Varian lives outside of Austin, TX with his family.

https://varianjohnson.com/

BRZRKR, Volume 1 (BRZRKR #1-4) by Keanu Reeves (Writer), Matt Kindt (Goodreads Author) (Writer), Ron Garney (Illustrator), Bill Crabtree (Colorist), Clem Robins (Letterer), Rafael Grampá (Cover)

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

An immortal man who has known nothing but war and death all of his existence seeks a means of making himself mortal, and goes on a journey to discover more of his past in author Matt Kindt and debut comic book writer and acclaimed actor Keanu Reeves’s “BRZRKR”, the first volume in the new action series from BOOM STUDIOS!

The Synopsis

Keanu Reeves makes his comic book writing debut alongside New York Times bestselling co-writer Matt Kindt and acclaimed artist Ron Garney in a brutally violent new series about one immortal warrior’s fight through the ages.

A WAR WITH NO END. The man known only as B. is half-mortal and half-God, cursed and compelled to violence…even at the sacrifice of his sanity. But after wandering the world for centuries, the Berzerker may have finally found a refuge – working for the U.S. government to fight the battles too violent and too dangerous for anyone else. In exchange, B. will be granted the one thing he desires – the truth about his endless blood-soaked existence…and how to end it.

Keanu Reeves makes his comic book writing debut alongside New York Times bestselling co-writer Matt Kindt (Folklords, Grass Kings) and legendary artist Ron Garney (Captain America, The Amazing Spider-Man) in a brutally violent new series about one immortal warrior’s fight through the ages.

Collects: BRZRKR #1-4. 

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The Review

What a truly entertaining and mesmerizing graphic novel. The tone that the authors captured here felt like taking the biggest deep-dives into Marvel and DC’s biggest and grittiest action thriller series and ramping it up to ten notches. The balance found between the intensity of the action sequences and the in-depth character growth was so perfect in this story, and while the artwork (which was so visceral and amazing to see) was definitely raw and intense, the violence spoke to the themes of power corrupting those who wield it and the damage it does to the people or “living weapons” that are wielded by those in power.

The characters were the true driving force behind this narrative. The protagonist, known at the beginning of this story simply as B, was such an engaging character to discover. If someone were to blend Marvel’s Wolverine with DC Comic’s Vandal Savage and inject a hint of magic and action-movie style, they would get B. The interesting character study allows readers to see the brutality that he is born into and that which he causes, and yet the trauma that comes with being used time and time again as nothing more than a weapon, speaking to whether morality and choice are something we are born with or something that must be fought for.

The Verdict

A truly immersive, hauntingly entertaining, and gripping graphic novel, author Matt Kindt and Keanu Reeves’s “BRZRKR” is a must-read story in 2021. The perfect read for those who are looking to find comics outside of the mainstream studios and find a true action experience that fuses mythology, history, and chilling looks into the nature of war as a whole, this narrative ends on an interesting cliffhanger that will continue to draw readers into this universe. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Authors

Matt Kindt is a Harvey Award-winning and NYT Best-Selling writer and artist of comics and graphic novels. His work includes MIND MGMT, BRZRKR (with Keanu Reeves), Bang!, Eniac, Revolver, 3 Story, Super Spy, 2 Sisters, and Pistolwhip. He has been nominated for four Eisner Awards and three Harvey Awards (and won once). His work has been published in French, Spanish, Italian, and German. The author lives in St. Louis, MO, with his wife and Dept H. collaborator, the colorist and artist Sharlene Kindt.

Matt has been making comics all his life and has been doing it full-time as a “real” job since 2003. Seriously…he has the best job ever.

You can follow Matt below where he stays active on all social media platforms.

https://twitter.com/mattkindt

Keanu Reeves: Actor, Director, Writer

https://twitter.com/boomstudios