Title: Wonder Woman: Warbringer the Graphic Novel

Series: DC Icons #1

Authors: Leigh Bardugo, Louise Simonson, Kit Seaton

Published Date: January 7, 2020

Publisher: DC Comics

Format: Paperback

Page Count: 208 pages

Source: Library

Date Read: June 26, 2020

 

Review

I was gifted the audiobook (CDs) a few years ago, but wasn't interested in listening to this version. I picked up the ebook when it was on sale a while ago, and never felt in the mood to start it. So when I saw this version in my library I decided to go for it and have it fill a prompt on the SRP. I'm so glad I did - it was a great story but also streamlined for my attention span. 

The story opens with Diana preparing for an important race to help her improve her standing with some of her Amazon sisters, especially her mother's right hand woman/#1 general who has an unfounded hate towards Diana because she was created differently than the rest of the island's inhabitants. On her way to winning the race, Diana notices a ship that 1)broke through the barrier separating the island from the World of Man and 2) the ship was on fire and going down quickly. She leaves the race and jumps into the water in the hopes of saving those onboard. There was only one survivor, an older teen named Alia. Alia is the descendent of Helen of Troy and as such, she is a Warbringer. 

Diana and Alia work to find out how to stop the people who are hunting Alia as well as help Alia redeem her ancestors/stop the Warbringer bloodline. There are others on the team: Jason (Alia's brother), Theo (friend of the family), and Nim (Alia's BFF who deserves her own series!). This is a coming of age story nestled in a journey to Greece and the resting place of Helen. On the way there is romance, really great one-liners, and some deep topics brought up (race, sexism, capitalism, etc). 

Overall, it was fun and adventurous story that added to my love of Wonder Woman. 

 

I want to tell you there is a new book site called The Story Graph; right now it is in beta form. I signed up and imported my GR books to TSG. I haven't done much else except to finish filling out my profile (same handle I have here and same profile pic). Thanks to author Beverly Jenkins for letting all of Twitter know about the site.

 

This week I spent most of the time I could have been reading writing all these book reviews. I should be all caught up now; sorry for the tsnuami of reviews. Now that I am planning to write reviews on the regular, I should have more time to read. I am still reading A Search for Refuge for BL-opoly. I need to get to Proper English and work my way through Beneath the Ruthless Sun. Today is all about getting the two graphic novels, Wytches and Warbringer done. Time to buckle down and read all weekend long. 

 

Stay safe, stay healthy my BL friends. Kansas growing in COVID-19 cases and our school district sent out a parental survey yesterday, asking for feedback/input about how to go about doing school for the upcoming school year. I want my kids in school for their mental and emotional health, but I just want to keep them home for their physical health. My anxiety is high right now.

Release date: April 1, 2016

 

I went into this expecting young adult. What I got was a graphic novel more inline for a younger reader. My seven year old would have no problem reading this.

 

This is a compilation of fairy tales; Cinderella, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, The Billy Goats Gruff, and Hansel & Gretel. The authors did a great job of making this entertaining and interesting for both boys and girls. Cinderella is a ninja, Ninjarella. What kid won't find that awesome and intriguing?

 

The graphics are bold and really compliment the dialogue and storyline. They put me in mind of Cartoon Network cartoons.  

 

I received a pre-release review copy from Netgalley.

Received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Disappointed, that is all I can say, seriously disappointed.

Good/Bad Review.

Good:
-The art, perfectly in style with the cartoons and their world. Every one of the group is drawn like they are supposed to do. So Ed, Edd & Eddy look the same as they should look like in the cartoon.
-Seeing all my favourite (and not so favourite) characters back. There are several characters I recognize by name, but I never saw their shows. It is nice to see the Powerpuff girls and Dexter in one setting, that reminds me of the fanfiction I read some years ago, which was totally awesome.
-The action, well, at least for the first part.
-Ed, Edd & Eddy! While I could also go on Nostalgia trip for Powerpuff Girls or Dexter, I still can find stuff from those cartoons, but I haven't seen Ed, Edd & Eddy in years.

Bad:
-The action, it just dragged on and on and it got a bit boring in the middle.
-The constant: What will happen, find out in the next one-shot things. It distracted me and I was also worried that I might not be able to read further. If you make a book that compiles all these one-shots at least get rid of the stuff that says the next one shot will be released (insert date) or that you will have to read the next one-shot.
-The villains plan. Just so lame. But I guess that was to be expected for a kiddie comic.
-What was up with that squirrel? Super evil master mind? Will we find it out in book 2? Which I probably never find unless it gets on Netgalley.
-The story was nice in the beginning, but like with the action it just dragged on and it became silly. I think this works better as an one-shot, and I think it should have stuck to that. That way you keep all the tension and don't lose it.

All in all, I had hoped for more and I am disappointed.

Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

What do you get when you take your favorite 90s Nickelodeon cartoon characters and bring them all together for one epic show-down?

No, it's not a Netflix sponsored movie (although, that would be damn great!)--it's the first volume in a graphic novel released by IDW collab w/Cartoon Network, of course.

I immediately saw the cover and was like, "Read NOW." No hesitation, no questions asked. I'm a 90s Nick kid, and if you live in the US and watch Cartoon Network every night after 9pm, you know what I mean too. Our favorite shows that nursed and comforted us in the mornings and after school every day have revisited the screens across the country as part of CN's new '90s are back" thing. I didn't think it'd last as long as it did, but boy am I glad because I am ALL ABOARD THIS SHIP (and have been, for quite awhile). :O

Characters

Heroes:
Samurai Jack
Powerpuff Girls
Ben Tennyson "Ben 10"
Dexter (Dexter's laboratory)
Ed, Ed, and Eddy (not 'heroes' per se, but from the show w/the same name)

Villains:
Aku (Samurai Jack)
Mandark (Dexter's laboratory)
Mojo Jojo (Powerpuff Girls)
Evil Robots

Basically, the story is a wild concoction cooked up to satisfy people like me who love these characters and don't care how much "sense" it makes to have them all together. The "villians" are all together and have some sort of plan to hold the "heroes" hostage and take their powers. Ed, Ed, and Eddy are just in there because of a fluke. Obviously, they get free pretty easily but their robot counterparts are created to learn from them as they fight and things escalate from there.

It's a short graphic novel. While at first I thought it was mostly written for a younger audience, I don't feel that way after reading it. It seemed more like twenty somethings would appreciate it more having seen the shows and followed the storylines. The characters are all explained, but not to the extent that you feel like it's made for people who have no idea who the Powerpuff Girls are, or Dexter from Dexter's Lab.

I felt like it was a fun, light, and really funny read with bright and colorful graphics that stayed true to each show. I recommend it for people who like any of the shows listed above, are fans of Cartoon Network, or just love amalgam stories that don't necessarily follow logic.