Review: Renegades

Read if you like: fascinating superpowers, characters you fall hard in love with, and thrilling, multi-faceted plots.

Renegades | Marissa Meyer

Series: Renegades

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Superhero
Released: April 5th 2018
Pages: 576
Format: Ebook
Source: Publisher

Secret Identities. Extraordinary Powers. She wants vengeance. He wants justice.

The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies—humans with extraordinary abilities—who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone...except the villains they once overthrew.

Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice—and in Nova. But Nova's allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both.

I did not predict how much I'd LOVE this book. A secret underground group of villains? A goody-two-shoes hero love interest who can draw things and make them REAL? A kickass ensemble cast, where everyone is interesting and stands out? PLUS a villain-t0-hero character arc? THIS IS EVERYTHING.

Not to mention Adrian's dads are adorable, I love his little brother, and the plot is just outstanding. And THAT ENDING. You need to read this book, seriously. I can't wait for book 2!

5 stars

Review: Suicide Squad, Vol. 3

Suicide Squad: Burning Down The House | Rob Williams

Published by: DC Comics, September 12th 2017

Genre: Comics, Superheroes, Supervillains

Pages: 160

Format: Ebook

Source: DC, via Netgalley

Amanda Waller is used to getting what she wants—but this time, what Waller wants is something only Lex Luthor has. Striking a deal won’t be easy—or cheap! It’s a war on two fronts as Waller leads a smoldering charm offensive in Luthor’s penthouse while her Suicide Squad tries to open the most heavily guarded safe in all of LexCorp.

In SUICIDE SQUAD VOL. 3, writer Rob Williams is joined by superstar, and new series artist, Tony S. Daniel (BATMAN, JUSTICE LEAGUE)! Collects SUICIDE SQUAD #16-20.

This volume was basically Suicide Squad but with all my favourite bits removed. No cameraderie, barely any Killer Croc and June (why??), and they did something pretty awesome (killed someone off but I won't spoil) but then went back on it by bringing her back to life (meh.) It's not that I didn't like this, because I really enjoyed parts (mostly Harley and Flag) but ... it felt lacking for me. Didn't enjoy it half as much as I expected to.

Characters ★★☆☆☆

Setting/world ★★★☆☆

Writing ★★☆☆☆

Review: Titans, Volume Two

Titans: Volume Two | Dan Abnett, Brett Booth

Published by: DC Comics, September 26th 2017

Genre: Comics, Superheroes

Pages: 152

Format: Ebook

Source: DC, via Netgalley

The classic team of former superhero sidekicks continue their adventures in TITANS VOL. 2, as a part of DC Rebirth!

As Kid Flash Wally West and the Titans adjust to their new lives in New York City and investigate a new threat, a mysterious company called Meta Solutions comes to the forefront. Who are they? And what stunning discovery will the Titans make about their new foe?

Writer Dan Abnett (AQUAMAN) and artist Brett Booth (NIGHTWING) continue their critically acclaimed run with TITANS VOL. 2! Collects issues #7-10, TITANS ANNUAL #1 and stories from DC REBIRTH HOLIDAY SPECIAL.

This was even better than volume one!! And that plot twist at the end?? Holy crap!! I need to read the next volume for sure.

Action and friendship and snark and angsty romantic longing, AKA everything I love. I enjoyed the threats, the villains, the appearance of some bigger superheroes, and I especially loved the characterisation of Lilith in this.  I came to appreciate her a whole lot, but to be fair, I love everything in this gang.

I can't recommend this series enough.

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★☆

Review: Harley's Little Black Book

Harley's Little Black Book | Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, John Timms, Mauricet, Joseph Lisner, Billy Tucci, Neal Adams, Simon Bisley

Published by: DC Comics, August 8th 2017

Genre: Comics, Superheroes

Pages: 256

Format: Ebook

Source: DC, via Netgalley

The fan-favorite creative team of Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti joins forces with a slew of superstar comics creators—including Neal Adams, Simon Bisley, Joseph Michael Linsner, Billy Tucci, John Timms and more—for HARLEY’S LITTLE BLACK BOOK. 

She’s the psychopathic psychotherapist with a heart of gold and a mind for mayhem. Now she’s uniting with the greatest heroes in the DC Universe in her very own team-up title. Ain’t it amazing?

With the Joker firmly in her rearview mirror, Harley Quinn has become an antihero like no other. But sometimes she runs into threats too, uhh, threatening for any one person to beat. That’s when she turns to a who’s who of the biggest, baddest, most bodacious heroes in the whole universe!

Superman. Wonder Woman. Green Lantern. Zatanna. Lobo. And…Harley Quinn???

Whoever’s tagging along, there’s one thing for sure: Wherever Harley goes, high-octane hijinks are sure to follow!

Flip through at your own risk! Collects the full six-issue miniseries. 

I honestly love these writers; they have yet to write a bad comic. I loved this whole book, start to finish. I was fangirling about Wonder Woman along with Harley. And I wanted to team up with Zatanna too! I loved Harley's little quirks and interactions with the big superheroes (I love her pinching superheroes' butts tbh.) The art in this is so good and just WORKS for Harley, and I love love loved the bombshells comic and that whole style. There's nothing I didn't like about this (not even Prick The Barbarian or whatever his name is from the last comic.) I laughed, I winced, I laughed some more. This was everything I wanted it to be and a whole lot extra on top (Harley in a Ghostbusters costume, anybody..?)

Don't miss this, seriously.

Characters ★★★★☆

Setting/world ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★☆

Review: Young Avengers, Volume Two

Young Avengers: Volume Two: Alternative Culture | Kieron Gillen, Kate Brown, Jamie McKelvie

Published by: Marvel, January 2nnd 2014

Genre: YA, Comics, Science Fiction, Superheroes

Pages: 112

Format: Ebook

Source: Purchased

Collects Young Avengers (2013) #6-10. Ever wonder what the super hero equivalent of a terrible soul-sucking, talent-wasting temp job is? Wonder what Tommy (aka Speed) has been up to? Wonder why mutant David Alleyne (aka Prodigy) hasn't been even in the background in any one of the eight thousand X-books? Discover answers herein! Then: existential horror turns cosmic horror as something emerges from the shadows of the past...and it seems that the Young Avengers have one more thing to worry about. The team races desperately across the multi verse in pursuit of their missing friend, but their road trip goes crazy as it reaches its desti nati on. Because its desti nati on is mainly excitement and heartbreak. Several Young Avengers decide what to do next. The question is, whether they stay Young Avengers! Plus: Are you ready for Mother's Day?

I swear I blinked and it was over. This is too good and too easy to read - I want more in each volume!!!! The characters, the storylines, the snark and bickering, EVERYTHING is perfect but these volumes are never anywhere near long enough. I love this whole gang and I want 1000x the amount of adventures we get.

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★★

Review: Harley Quinn, Volume Two

Harley Quinn: Volume Two: Joker Loves Harley  | Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, John Timms

Published by: DC Comics, June 27th 2017

Genre: Comics, Science Fiction, Superheroes

Pages: 144

Format: Ebook

Source: DC Comics, via Netgalley

Harley Quinn's punk-rock epic concludes with a BANG. Too deep and not covered enough, their undercover mission comes to an end as the gang takes on thieves and murderers. All the laughs and some of the quacks are all here.

Taking a break comes with unexpected woes when Harley and Ivy head to the Bahamas for sun-kissed beaches and ice-cold drinks.

Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti continue their mammoth run on this New York Times best-selling title in Harley Quinn, Volume 2: Joker Loves Harley!

Collecting: Harley Quinn 7-12

(4.5, should be 5 but marked down because of one comic.)

Let me just say: great story, nice plot twist, awesome canon queer Harley and Ivy, incredible supporting cast, and fun as all hell writing.

K, now I'm gonna talk about something I LOVE about this comic. The non-sexualisation of Harley.

Bear in mind I've read Suicide Squad Vol 1 recently and got kinda pissed about Harley being a dumb, sexy blonde in that. But this series... Harley is smart and quirky and sex-positive WITHOUT being sexualised. In this volume, she wears a bikini without being presented as a sex object, and SHE'S NAKED without being overly sexified (which is a word now.) But in the Christmas comic in this volume (I forget the name, sorry!) this happens:

THIS. IS. RIDICULOUS!!! (and really only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this 20-page comic)

Harley's boobs over-exaggerated for no real reason, super low cut top for no reason (she's going into a dangerous situation, why can't she wear the same thing she ALWAYS does???) Oh, and my personal favourite bit: the male scientist in the background looking at Harley's ass through binoculars. This just feels so male-gaze-y, when every other comic I've read in this series manages to avoid it.

This team can do better. I know they can. I was ecstatic and thrilled and surprised when, in the first volume, Harley was drawn and written as this real person, this real WOMAN. I hope this is a blip I can put in the back of my mind, I really do. I still love this series, but I'm honestly, disappointed (and shocked tbh - I never saw this coming.)

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★☆

Review: Suicide Squad, Volume Two

Suicide Squad: Volume Two: Going Sane  | Rob Williams, Jim Lee, Stephen Byrne

Published by: DC Comics, June 13th 2017

Genre: Comics, Science Fiction, Superheroes

Pages: 144

Format: Ebook

Source: DC Comics, via Netgalley

From writer Rob Williams, superstar artist Jim Lee and Philip Tan comes the new Suicide Squad! 

The government has once again handpicked the worst of the worst for its Task Force X: Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, Katana and Killer Croc. Following their clash with the Justice League, the team faces a new challenge as the dark energy of the Black Vault starts to drive the prisoners of Belle Reve insane--except for Harley Quinn, who seems to be more rational and level-headed than...well, ever. 

Collecting: Suicide Squad 5-9

This was confusing. Awesome ... but confusing. I got lost so many times as to whether something was happening now or in the past, if it was real or not, and sometimes that mind trip is pretty cool, but with this comic I got frustrated. The story was just ... okay. And while Harley being suddenly sane was a cool plot device, super problematic handling of mental health there.

BUT the characters continue to be strong as hell. We got to see Harley in a less sexualised, more human-being light. It gives more backstories for the gang (which I loved) and cleverly uses this format to introduce a new character. My favourite part has to be June and Killer Croc though. O-T-fricking-P. They're so cute and wholesome and pure and I want them to stay together forever, which probably means one of them will die in the next volume... But I just loved this sweet little romance between a murderous monster and a girl possessed by a nightmare of a witch. In the middle of the crazy, the action, the confusion, I really needed that.

I did enjoy this, but I didn't 100% love it. Still gonna read the next volume though, because I'm a sucker for this team.

Characters ★★★★☆

Setting/world ★★★☆☆

Writing ★★★☆☆

Review: Doom Patrol, Volume One

Doom Patrol: Volume One: Brick By Brick | Gerard Way, Nick Derington, Tamra Bonvillain, 

Published by: DC Comics, June 6th 2017

Genre: Comics, Superheroes

Pages: 168

Format: Ebook

Source: DC Comics, via Netgalley

The spirit of Grant Morrison's groundbreaking Doom Patrol is captured in this debut series starring the cult-favorite misfits as a part of Gerard Way's new Young Animal imprint.

Flex Mentallo, Robotman, Rebis, Crazy Jane, and more are back to twist minds and take control. This new take on a classic embraces and reimagines the Morrison run's signature surrealism and irreverence. Incorporating bold, experimental art and a brash tone to match a new generation of readers, Gerard Way's Doom Patrol establishes radical new beginnings, breaks new ground, and honors the warped team dynamic of the world's strangest heroes.

This abstract and unexpected ensemble series nods at the Doom Patrol's roots by continuing to break the barriers of the traditional superhero genre.

Collecting Doom Patrol 1-6

More now immediately please thank you.

This is the craziest comic I have ever read. It doesn't make any kind of sense, but also it makes perfect sense. The characters are weirdos, and they don't really make sense either, and I love them for it. And the art is perfect and colourful and echoes how hopeful the story is despite the impending apocalypse. Doom Patrol is the kind of weird I have been waiting for without knowing I've been waiting for it.

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★★

Review: Supergirl, Volume One

Supergirl: Volume One, Reign of The Cyborg Supermen | Steve Orlando, Brian Ching, Mike Attiyeh

Published by: DC Comics, April 4th 2017

Genre: Comics, Superheroes

Pages: 166

Format: Ebook

Source: DC Comics, via Edelweiss

A part of DC Universe: Rebirth! 

Supergirl moves to National City! As Kara Danvers, average American teenager and high school student, Supergirl must balance her life as a superhero with her new life on Earth. But some demons from her Kryptonian past are coming back to haunt her, and Kara will find herself face-to-face with her father: the sinister Cyborg Superman!

Critically acclaimed writer Steve Orlando (Midnighter) comes a new beginning for Kara Zor-El in Supergirl, Volume 1, Reign Of The Cyborg Super-Men a new series that is sure to appeal to fans of the TV series!

Collecting: Supergirl 1-6, Rebirth

I thought I'd like Kara but I LOVE her. And I love the story, how Kara's struggles to adjust are woven so seamlessly with CYBORG SUPERMEN KILLING EARTH and then back to Kara struggling to fit in among humans. This is just so well written, and after Superwoman Volume One (which I did not connect with), it was such a surprise and delight. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE the art. It has such a charming quality to it and suits Kara perfectly. PLus I'm extra happy with how the story arc wraps up cleanly in this one volume, but still has threads to follow into the next volume. It really bugs me when a volume ends with the story unresolved. 

I'm so happy I read this. I cannot WAIT for the next volume.

Characters ★★★★☆

Setting/world ★★★☆☆

Writing ★★★★☆

Review: Batgirl & The Birds of Prey

Batgirl & The Birds of Prey: Volume One: Who Is Oracle? | Shawna Benson, Julie Benson, Claire Roe

Published by: DC Comics, April 11th 2017

Genre: Science Fiction, Superheroes

Pages: 168

Format: Ebook

Source: DC Comics, via Netgalley

The Birds of Prey prowl the street of Gotham once again! The sisterly, crime-fighting trio--Batgirl, Black Canary, and Huntress--get the band back together in the aftermath of DC Universe: Rebirth, but they're not reconnecting for nostalgia's sake. A mysterious new criminal operative called Oracle has declared war on Gotham. Barbara Gordon, a.k.a. Batgirl, and a.k.a. cyber-superhero Oracle in a previous guise, takes exception to someone smearing her legacy.

Writing duo and sisters Julie and Shawna Benson, along with breakout artist Claire Roe, reunite the femme fatale crew in Batgirl and the Birds of Prey, Volume 1: Who Is Oracle?!

Collecting: Batgirl and the Birds of Prey 1-6, Rebirth

Squad goals!

Usually with a group of characters, there's someone I don't really like but I LOVE everyone in the Birds of Prey. Barbara is my fave but I really like how murdery Helena is. Plus, the story is exciting and original and never once lags, and the art is perfect. I loved this, start to finish. So, so happy this was good!!

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★☆