Funny Coincidence: two graphic novels about Diana/ Wonder Woman

Image: DC Comics

Diana: Princess of the Amazons by Shannon Hale & Dean Hale. Illustrated by Victoria Yang. 160 p. DC Comics, January 7, 2020. 9781401291112. (Review of arc courtesy of publisher.)

Image: DC Comics

Wonder Woman: Warbringer Graphic Novel by Leigh Bardugo. Illustrated by Kit Seaton. Adapted by Louise Simonson. 208 p. DC Comics, January 7, 2020. 9781401282554. (Review of arc courtesy of publisher.)

It was kind of a funny coincidence that I read these two Wonder Woman origin stories on Sunday. I was organizing the arcs I got from Midwinter. I spied the Hale GN and dove in. I am huge fan of Shannon Hale, ever since Goose Girl.

In the Hales' origin story, Diana is still a tween trying to find her place among the Amazons and feeling the loss of her mother's attention. Inspired by the story of her own birth and lonely because she is the only child on the island, she asks to keep a flawed piece of clay and molds a child she names Mona. Mona comes to life but is not quite as vibrant as Diana. The two quickly become thick as thieves. It isn't long before Mona begins influencing Diana in negative ways - encouraging her to break rules and harm people. Soon, Mona convinces Diana to travel to the island where monsters are imprisoned behind Doom's Door. 

The art is brightly colored and energetic. The panels are easy to follow. Diana is an appealing tween with relatable issues of identity. This is an all-girl adventure with zing!

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In Wonder Woman: Warbringer, Diana is a teen and also wrestling with her identity and place among the Amazons. She is determined to win a foot-race and the approval of her mother when she spies a sinking ship. She abandons the race and dives into the sea looking to rescue survivors. There is just one, a girl names Alia. She brings Alia to the island, hides her and returns to the race, which is over, and her disapproving mother. Earthquakes rattle the island and Amazons quickly fall ill. Alia is the cause. She is a Warbringer and must die. Diana decides to bring her to a spring near the burial place of Helen, the original Warbringer instead. 

The palette in this graphic novel origin story is decidedly darker and moodier. The blue and gray tones have occasional splashes of red during the action sequences. This will appeal to fans of graphic novels as well as fans of the DC Icons novels and also the many fans of Leigh Bardugo.

Both origin stories belong in any school or public library collection. 

Teen Tuesday: Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu

Image: Penguin Random House

Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu. DC Icons #2. Unabridged e-audiobook. ~9 hours. Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group, January, 2018. 9780525525561. 

Teen Tuesday features book #2 of the DC Icons series in which popular YA authors imagine the teen years/ coming-of-age of four popular DC superheroes. Batman: nightwalker was written by Marie Lu, whose "Legend" trilogy is a TMS favorite. 

Billionaire Bruce Wayne is about to turn eighteen and will inherit his family's wealth. A terrorist organization called the Nightwalkers is targeting Gotham City's wealthiest citizens to murder and electronically steal their fortunes. The Gotham City PD captured Madeleine Wallace and imprisoned her in Arkham Asylum but she is not talking - except to Bruce Wayne, who happens to be doing community service for interfering with a police investigation. The police brass enlist Bruce's help. But can he trust either side?

This was perhaps the most intriguing of the four DC Icons books I read. Still, it felt a bit juvenile, cops and robber-ish, as in, improbable coincidences and plot holes. The new-to-me narrator was engaging and paced his performance well. The action was nearly non-stop making this plot-driven book appealing to those readers who crave page-turners. 

Teen Tuesday: Catwoman: soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas

Catwoman: soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas. DC Icons series #3. Unabridged e-audiobook. ~10 hours. Read by Julia Whelan. Random House/ Listening Library, August, 2018. 9780525595427. (Review of e-audio borrowed from public library. Own hc.)

Teen Tuesday features Catwoman: soul stealer by Sarah J. Maas. This is the third book of the DC Icons series in which popular YA authors imagine DC superheroes as teens. All is relatively quiet in Gotham City. Batman's away and his teen protege, Batwing, aka Luke Fox is keeping an eye on things. Enter one Holly Vanderhees, a rich socialite with a penchant for fundraisers. The only problem is that Holly is really Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman, newly returned to Gotham City with a secret.

As someone who is not a superhero aficionado, I almost feel as though I should not weigh in on any of these books in the series. My experience with Batman was with the 1960s television show featuring Adam West as Batman. Robin was his sidekick. Catwoman was played by Julie Newmar. Who is this Batwing? Is this a new creation or have I missed something? Catwoman and Batman always seemed to have a thing. Why Batwing?

And, I have never read anything written by Sarah J. Maas! The worldbuilding was bleak, bleak, bleak as Gotham City is. The story flashes back to slowly inform readers of Selina's backstory. She's fierce. She's a survivor. She loves only her sick sister and will do anything to keep her safe. Redeemable qualities and yet...

I wrote on GR that I thought the book "curiously slow and bland." Thinking back now, that might've been partly the narrator's fault. Whelan's delivery had a measured, almost blasé coolness to it and there was a tremendous amount of detail. I'm glad I no longer give stars on GR; because I think I liked the book more than I thought. 

Teen Tuesday and Audiobook Review: Superman by Matt de la Peña

Image: Penguin Random House

Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt de la Peña. DC Icons series #4. Unabridged e-audiobook, ~ 7 hours. Narrated by Andrew Eiden. Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group, March, 2019. 9781984832610. (Review of e-audiobook borrowed from public library. Own hc.)

Teen Tuesday features Superman: dawn breaker by Matt de la Peña. This is the fourth book in the DC Icons series where YA authors weigh in with origin stories of sorts of well, four DC superheroes. Superman: dawn breaker tells of high school senior Clark Kent's coming of age. He always knew he had powers that none of his peers had, but now his strength is scaring him. He's afraid that he will do more harm than good when he's called upon to use them because he has trouble harnessing his power. At the same time, immigrant workers are disappearing and a corporation has been buying up the area farms. de la Peña cleverly blends contemporary immigration issues as well as other ethical dilemmas here. The thoughtful parts are punctuated with actions scenes that should keep fans of the the superhero engaged. 

Eiden was a new-to-me narrator when I listened to his performance of The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle. My Goodreads note said I was delighted with the performance. I didn't love his growly delivery in this one and his female character vocalizations were annoying.