Category: Graphic Novel

Title: Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys: The Big Lie
Author: Anthony Del Col, Werther Dell’edera
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: November 28, 2017
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mystery unlike any other you’ve ever read! When the teenage brothers Frank and Joe Hardy are accused of the murder of their father – a detective in the small resort town of Bayport – they must team up with Nancy Drew to prove their innocence (and find the real guilty party in the process) in a twisting noir tale, complete with double-crosses, deceit, and dames. Writer Anthony Del Col (Assassin’s Creed, Kill Shakespeare) and artist Werther Dell’Edera (Batman: Detective Comics, House of Mystery) bring the iconic teen detectives into the modern age, and redefine noir for a new generation of readers!

Review:

I was so excited for this book! I’ve loved Nancy Drew my whole life, from the books to the video games to the movies.

I was pleased with this graphic novel. It’s a more adult story for older fans of Nancy and the Hardy Boys. Their friends the Bobsey Twins even made a little cameo. However, two people who were noticeably missing were Bess and George! I really missed them in the story! You can’t really have Nancy without her two sidekicks. I hope they will make an appearance in the next volume.

The graphics were quite simple. They could have been more elaborate and detailed. Since the story is very noir, the pictures were dark. The use of shadows was great at times for building tension but they sometimes made it difficult to distinguish between characters. Maybe this would be fixed in the final copy, since mine was an e-ARC of the book.

I enjoyed the mystery. The main story was that Joe and Frank were accused of murdering their father, which just seems crazy to me that they are suspected of murder. There is a lot of corruption in Bayport, which explains why the brothers were accused.

There was a major twist at the end of the story which got me so excited for the next one! I can’t wait to read more from Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys (and hopefully Bess and George too!).

Title: Batwoman, Volume 1: The Many Arms of Death
Author: Marguerite Bennett, James Tynion IV
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: DC Comics
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: November 21, 2017
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Batwoman returns with her own series in BATWOMAN VOL. 1, as a part of DC Rebirth!

The newest chapter of Batwoman’s life begins here! Monster Venom is the hottest new bioweapon on the market…and to break up the syndicate spreading it around the world, Batwoman’s going to have to return to the place where she spent some of her darkest hours!

With writing from Marguerite Bennett (DC BOMBSHELLS) and James Tynion IV (DETECTIVE COMICS), as well as spectacular art from Steve Epting (CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER) and Ben Oliver (THE MULTIVERSITY), this new series spins directly out of the smash hit DETECTIVE COMICS series!

BATWOMAN VOL. 1 collects issues #1-6 and the one-shot special BATWOMAN: REBIRTH #1.

Review:

I loved this graphic novel!

I had never read a Batwoman comic before, and this one is a great introduction. There was a lot of background given through flashbacks, so I felt like I knew her whole history. The main conflict in the story dealt with people from Batwoman’s past returning to her life, so it kept returning to her younger years.

There was a lot of diversity in this graphic novel. There were characters of different races. Batwoman also had girlfriends in the story. This is a modern take on a classic character.

The art was also fabulous! My favourite was the comic entitled “Blinding.” The graphics looked like it was painted with water colours. It was a flashback comic, so the soft colours gave it a dreamlike quality.

This was a great graphic novel! I’ll definitely look for more from Batwoman.

Title: Wonder Woman, Vol. 4: Godwatch
Author: Greg Rucka, Liam Sharp
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: DC Comics
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: November 21, 2017
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

NEW YORK TIMES best-selling writer Greg Rucka continues his celebrated return to the Amazon Warrior in WONDER WOMAN VOL. 4: GODWATCH!

Since the moment Wonder Woman arrived in our world, Godwatch has been waiting. But who are they, and what do they want? Diana’s journey to the truth that she’s been seeking since WONDER WOMAN VOL. 1 continues here, with the origin of what may prove to be her greatest enemies.

Teaming with up-and-coming artist Bilquis Evely, Greg Rucka’s critically acclaimed run on one of Rebirth’s most successful titles continues here in WONDER WOMAN VOL. 4: GODWATCH! Collects WONDER WOMAN #16, #18, #20, #22 and #24.

Review:

This is the fourth installment in the new Wonder Woman series.

Like the other graphic novels in this series, the timeline jumps around in this one. However, it was more linear than some of them have been.

A lot of background was given on Veronica Cale, so I understood the story about her daughter much better. This continued from the previous volume, where there was a major plot twist with her daughter.

This volume focused more on the secondary characters, such as Barbara Ann and Veronica than Wonder Woman, but I still enjoyed it. It was much more cohesive in the way that it gave some background and some new, current events.

I enjoyed this graphic novel and I look forward to reading the next one!

Title: Rapunel’s Revenge
Author: Shannon Hale, Nathan Hale
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children’s
Source: Purchased
Release Date: August 5, 2008
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Once upon a time, in a land you only think you know, lived a little girl and her mother . . . or the woman she thought was her mother.

Every day, when the little girl played in her pretty garden, she grew more curious about what lay on the other side of the garden wall . . . a rather enormous garden wall.

And every year, as she grew older, things seemed weirder and weirder, until the day she finally climbed to the top of the wall and looked over into the mines and desert beyond.

Newbery Honor-winning author Shannon Hale teams up with husband Dean Hale and brilliant artist Nathan Hale (no relation) to bring readers a swashbuckling and hilarious twist on the classic story as you’ve never seen it before. Watch as Rapunzel and her amazing hair team up with Jack (of beanstalk fame) to gallop around the wild and western landscape, changing lives, righting wrongs, and bringing joy to every soul they encounter.

Review:

Here is another fairytale retelling, this time in graphic novel format!

This is a cute and unique version of the Rapunzel story. She doesn’t stay trapped in her tower (a tree in this case) for long in the story. She takes her life in her own hands and escapes. She meets the dumb prince who is supposed to save her and sends him on his way.

I really liked that Rapunzel is a fighter in this story. This Rapunzel isn’t the typical damsel in distress. She was also clueless sometimes, like when she gets changed out of her dirty clothes, and wears long underwear for most of their journey. She was quite entertaining!

This is a great story for young readers and adults!

Title: Wonder Woman, Volume 3: The Truth
Author: Greg Rucka, Liam Sharp
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: DC Comics
Source: Purchased
Release Date: August 29, 2017
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A part of DC Universe Rebirth!

New York Times best-selling writer Greg Rucka continues his return to WONDER WOMAN! Rucka is joined by fan favorite artist Liam Sharp as Diana’s life is unraveling around her. Diana’s search for the truth about herself, her history, and her home Themyscira, takes her on a journey into darkness. But the price of understanding may be one sacrifice too many for Wonder Woman.

Review:

This is another great Wonder Woman graphic novel.

This one is a continuation from the first volume, where Wonder Woman was seeing things that weren’t there. Now, Diana has been put into a hospital, where she speaks to a worm/snake in her arm (yes, it’s that strange).

Each comic in this volume created a great story arc. Diana enters the hospital at the beginning, and is there for most of the story. Steve, Etta, and Barbara Ann work together to get Diana out, but they end up on opposite sides of the conflict in the end. There are also glimpses of her mother in Themyscira in this story.

I liked this graphic novel, and I look forward to the next one. The fourth volume in this series is coming out in a couple of weeks, so I will be reviewing it then!

Title: Wonder Woman, Volume 2: Year One
Author: Greg Rucka, Nicola Scott
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: DC Comics
Source: Purchased
Release Date: May 9, 2017
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A part of DC Universe: Rebirth!

New York Times best-selling writer Greg Rucka continues his return to Wonder Woman! The team of Rucka and artist Nicola Scott weave the definitive and shocking tale of Diana’s first year as Earth’s protector.

Paradise has been breached, Ares stirs, and the Amazons must answer with a champion of their own…one who is willing to sacrifice her home amongst her sisters to save a world she has never seen. Wonder Woman’s journey begins in this epic origin story!

Review:

I really enjoyed this graphic novel!

I liked it much more than the first in this series. It gave a great introduction to Wonder Woman and her background. 

The first volume was very mysterious, and it was hard to tell what was real most of the time. This one gave the origin story for Wonder Woman. I wish this one was the first volume instead. It would have made much more sense. 

The graphics in this series are beautiful. They are very realistic. I love the natural settings. It’s a beautiful graphic novel. 

I’ll be reviewing the third volume before the fourth is released later this month!

Title: Anne of Green Gables
Author: Mariah Marsden
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: October 24, 2017
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Schoolyard rivalries. Baking disasters. Puffed sleeves. Explore the violet vales and glorious green of Avonlea in this spirited adaptation.

The magic of L.M. Montgomery’s treasured classic is reimagined in a whimsically-illustrated graphic novel adaptation perfect for newcomers and kindred spirits alike. When Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert decide to adopt an orphan who can help manage their family farm, they have no idea what delightful trouble awaits them. With flame-red hair and an unstoppable imagination, 11-year-old Anne Shirley takes Green Gables by storm.

Anne’s misadventures bring a little romance to the lives of everyone she meets: her bosom friend, Diana Barry; the town gossip, Mrs. Lynde; and that infuriating tease, Gilbert Blythe. From triumphs and thrills to the depths of despair, Anne turns each everyday moment into something extraordinary.

Review:

It’s been many years since I read Anne of Green Gables. As a Canadian girl, this was part of our “required reading.”

This is a great graphic novel adaptation. Marsden stays faithful to the original story. It is also very brief because a lot is said through the illustrations rather than words.

I loved Anne (with an ‘e’)! She’s funny, sarcastic, and dramatic. She kept me laughing through the whole book.

I liked the bright illustrations in the story. They would be very appealing to young children. Anne reminded me a lot of the girl who plays her on the most recent TV series, so she looks like the contemporary image of Anne.

This graphic novel would be great for fans of the original novel and new readers! I highly recommend it.

 

Title: Harley Quinn, Vol. 1: Hot in the City
Author: Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: DC Comics
Source: Purchased
Release Date: October 28, 2014
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Fresh from BATMAN: DEATH OF THE FAMILY and SUICIDE SQUAD, Harley Quinn returns to her first solo series in the New 52! The writing team of Jimmy Palmiotti (ALL STAR WESTERN) and Amanda Conner (BEFORE WATCHMEN: SILK SPECTRE) unleashed Harley on an unsuspecting DC Universe, as she encounters various heroes and villains … and leaves no one unscathed in her wake! With art by Chad Hardin and a slew of comics’ best artists including Darwyn Cooke, Sam Kieth, Tony S. Daniel, Paul Pope, Walter Simonson and Art Baltazar!

Collects HARLEY QUINN #0-8.

Review:

Since I’ve been reading the Harley Quinn Rebirth series, I decided to venture into the previous Harley series.

This first volume introduced many of the people and things that are in the latest Harley series. For example, we get to see the creation of the “scatapult,” and how Harley became the landlord of the building.

I loved the first issue in the collection! Harley decides that she wants to have her own comic book (how original!). The creators, Amanda and Jimmy, give her some ideas of how different artists would draw her. Almost every page is drawn by a different DC artist, with Harley in many different situations. It was so cool to see Harley interact with the writers and artists of the graphic novels.

I also liked it when Harley got a job at a nursing home as a psychologist. I could relate to this storyline because my grandmother is in a nursing home with Alzheimer’s disease. There was a twist at the end of that storyline that made me laugh, and I could totally believe it from my experiences.

I have the next volume of Harley Quinn lined up to read soon! I can’t wait to read more of her adventures.