8 New DC Comics Graphic Novels
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Whoa! DC Comics is busy releasing new and amazing graphic novels like never before. (Or at least, they’re sending me lots of review copies like never before? Thank you for that by the way!) And today, I get to share with you my favorites. Of which there are a lot. Yay!
This list will give your graphic novel readers good, new books to read in 2020. From Batman’s origin story to a new superhero called Primer (think art), these DC Comics graphic novels will keep your superhero fans reading for days.
New DC Comics Graphic Novels
Batman Overdrive by Shea Fontana, illustrated by Marcelo DiChiara
You’ll zip through this exciting Batman origin story; personally, I couldn’t put it down! Almost 16-year-old Bruce Wayne is angry at the world and doesn’t believe the story of his parents’ murder. At the same time, he also wants to restore his dad’s first car — a ’66 Crusader. Both the car restoration and his quest for truth help Bruce to realize the truth about Alfred and to make his first friends, Mateo and Selina. Bruce undergoes quite a character arc with a lot of growth in this book, from impulsive and angry to focused and collaborative.
Zatanna and the House of Secrets by Matthew Cody, illustrated by Yoshi Yoshitani
In a day of huge events, Zatanna stands up to a bully he turns red, Zatanna’s father disappears, and an evil witch tries to take over their home, a home that turns out to be magical and sentient. Crazy day, right? Zantanna along with the witch’s son and her dad’s magical familiar pooka search for her father and how to stop the witch. It’s a fun, girl-powered book filled with adventure and magic.
Black Canary Ignite by Meg Cabot, illustrated by Cara McGee
Dinah Lance keeps breaking things with her voice–and getting in big trouble at school. She learns that she’s the daughter of the famous superhero, Black Canary. And that she has a power she better learn how to control. But, she thinks it’s a dumb gift and is mad that her parents kept her mom’s superhero identity a secret. Then her bandmates kick her out of the band and her mom gets kidnapped by Bonfire. How will Dinah find a solution? She’ll embrace her powers and become the new Black Canary.
Diana: Princess of the Amazons by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, illustrated by Victoria Ying
Diana hates being the only kid on the island so she makes a friend out of clay. Her new friend encourages Diana to make bad choices and act so naughty that she actually releases monsters onto the island. Not only did I dislike Diana’s bratty, entitled behavior but I thought the story was 100% predictable. Because guess what? She learns a valuable life lesson at the end. I think this book will work with young readers ages 6 – 9 who won’t care that it’s predictable.
Anti/Hero by Kate Karyus Quinn & Demitria Lunetta, illustrated by Maca Gil (pub 4/4/2020)
Piper and Sloan are girls who are opposite in almost every way– super-strong Piper is a superhero and genius Sloane is a villain. But when Piper catches Sloane with a stolen device, it switches them into each other’s body. Besides developing empathy about each other’s lives and struggles, it’s really tricky for them to pretend to be the other person. Not to mention, Sloane’s evil grandfather, the Bear, has kidnapped her mom when Sloane didn’t deliver the stolen device to him. The girls work together to stop the Bear and switch back into their correct bodies. It’s an AWESOME story with an empowering message of empathy and friendship.
Primer by Jennifer Muro and Thomas Krajewski, illustrated by Gretel Lusky (pub: 6/2020)
16-year-old Ashley hopes her latest foster home will be a fit — they’re funny, quirky, and really accepting. Then, Ashley finds very special lab-created body paints in her foster mom’s closet and quickly learns that when applied to her body, they give her superpowers, different powers for each color; powers like fire, flying, and strength. Meanwhile, her not-very-nice incarcerated dad is giving her trouble and the government lab and military will stop at nothing to find the missing paints. Fast-paced, exciting, and perfect for readers who love underdogs, girl power, friendship, creativity, and art!
My Video Game Ate My Homework by Dustin Hansen (pub 4/21/2020)
Talk about a crazy day! After Dewey breaks a video game prize console, he takes it to the clubhouse so he and his friends can fix it. Once they do, it activates a portal into a real video game with avatars, magical objects, lives, and danger. The story is a creative, playful adventure of cooperation, adventure, and imagination.
