Dark Knights of Steel Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 by Tom Taylor

 Dark Knights of Steel Vol. 1 by Tom Taylor et al.-176 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

Swords! Sorcery! Superheroes! A brand-new DC Universe is born from writer Tom Taylor ( DCeased, Nightwing) and artist Yasmine Putri.

An entire medieval world will be forever changed when a spaceship crash-lands from a doomed planet. Years later the El Kingdom reins and Jefferson Pierce, the head of the Kingdom of Storms sees their family as a threat and gathers allies to challenge them. Monarchs will die, kingdoms will rise, and what seemed like the end of the world for many…was only the beginning! An epic high-fantasy story set in a DC Universe where nothing is what it seems…

Dark Knights of Steel Vol. 2 by Tom Taylor et al.-208 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thoughts: I was intrigued by Batman and other DC characters being put into a medieval world with sorcery and swords and this short series did not disappoint. I enjoyed seeing all of the characters (even many side characters) have a role to play in the story. 

Marvel/DC: Spider-Man/Superman #1 by Brad Meltzer, et al.

Marvel/DC: Spider-Man/Superman #1 by Brad Meltzer, et al.-72 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐

THWIP, THWIP AND AWAY! Fifty years ago, DC's Man of Steel met Marvel's friendly neighborhood wall-crawler, and the world of comics has never been the same! In celebration of that historic milestone, thrill to ALL-NEW tales of Spider-Man and Superman and their friends and foes!

Brad Meltzer and Pepe Larraz pit Spider-Man and Superman against Lex Luthor and Norman Osborn as their greatest villains exploit some of their greatest weaknesses!
In the shadow-laden 1930s, Spider-Man Noir encounters the original Golden Age Superman as told by Slott/Martin!
A crisis ensues as Johns/Frank bring the Super- and Spider-families against each together at the summons of Mysterio... but is their true foe an ally out of control?!
Symbiote hordes invade Metropolis as a new War of the Realms ignites in Aaron/Dauterman's epic.
Co-creator of Steel Louise Simonson hammers out the tale of John Henry Irons' clash with the Hobgoblin, as drawn by Todd Nauck!
Kelly/Ramos take us on a campus crossover between Gwen Stacy and Lana Lang!
Miles Morales (Spider-Man) teams with Superman, as Bendis and Pichelli re-team!
All this, and more than a few super-surprises you'll be talking about for the next fifty years!

Thoughts: I enjoyed reading this collection of short stories/comics from Marvel and DC. There are more superheroes and supervillains than just Spider-Man and Superman. Supergirl, Wonder Woman, Ghost Spider, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Jane Foster Thor, and so many more make a brief appearance. 

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow by Tom King, Bilquis Evely, and Mat Lopes

 Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow by Tom King, Bilquis Evely, and Mat Lopes-224 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

It’s Supergirl like you’ve never seen her before, in a character-defining sci-fi/fantasy masterpiece from Mister Miracle writer Tom King and Wonder Woman artist Bilquis Evely!

Kara Zor-El has seen some epic adventures over the years, but she now finds her life without meaning or purpose. Here she is, a young woman who saw her planet destroyed and was sent to Earth to protect a baby cousin who ended up not needing her. What was it all for? Wherever she goes, people only see her through the lens of Superman’s fame.

Just when Supergirl thinks she’s had enough, everything changes. An alien girl seeks her out for a vicious mission. Her world has been destroyed, and the bad guys responsible are still out there. She wants revenge, and if Supergirl doesn’t help her, she’ll do it herself, whatever the cost. Now a Kryptonian, a dog, and an angry, heartbroken child head out into space on a journey that will shake them to their very core.

Thoughts: The upcoming Supergirl movie from DC Comics is supposedly based on this comic series and I've read that this is a really good comic. It didn't disappoint. This is a really good, nuanced take on Supergirl. 

Supergirl: Being Super by Mariko Tamaki and Joelle Jones

 Supergirl: Being Super by Mariko Tamaki and Joelle Jones-208 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

She's super-strong. She can fly. She crash-landed on Earth in a rocket ship. But for Kara Danvers, winning the next track meet, celebrating her 16th birthday and surviving her latest mega-zit are her top concerns. And with the help of her best friends and her kinda-infuriating-but-totally-loving adoptive parents, she just might be able to put her troubling dreams--shattered glimpses of another world--behind her.

Until an earthquake shatters her small town of Midvale...and uncovers secrets about her past she thought would always stay buried.

Now Kara's incredible powers are kicking into high gear, and people she trusted are revealing creepy ulterior motives. The time has come for her to choose between the world where she was born and the only world she's ever known. Will she find a way to save her town and be super, or will she crash and burn?

Caldecott Honor and Eisner Award-winning writer Mariko Tamaki (This One Summer) and Eisner Award-nominated artist Joëlle Jones (Lady Killer) combine forces for this incredible coming-of-age tale! This is the Girl of Steel as you've never seen her before.

Collects the limited series Supergirl: Being Super #1-4.

Thoughts: This is a good, new origin story for Supergirl. I've seen all the seasons of the CW show and I really enjoyed that. This is right up there with that show. 

The Extraordinaries by T.J. Klune

The Extraordinaries (The Extraordinaries #1) by T.J. Klune, 405 p.

"Some people are extraordinary. Some are just extra. TJ Klune's YA debut, The Extraordinaries, is a queer coming-of-age story about a fanboy with ADHD and the heroes he loves.

Nick Bell? Not extraordinary. But being the most popular fanfiction writer in the Extraordinaries fandom is a superpower, right?

After a chance encounter with Shadow Star, Nova City’s mightiest hero (and Nick’s biggest crush), Nick sets out to make himself extraordinary. And he’ll do it with or without the reluctant help of Seth Gray, Nick's best friend (and maybe the love of his life)."--Goodreads blurb

As a Klune fan, I was excited to start this series. My experience with Klune has been sweet and emotional books that I have loved, and this was a bit of a departure from that. This is a YA novel and very much reads like one. But that doesn't mean it wasn't good. First and foremost, it was hilarious. The mind of a gay teenage boy with ADHD is apparently very entertaining! Regardless of it being fantasy, go into this being ready to suspend belief, because it's not just the setting, but the characters that are quite unbelievable at times. Will definitely be continuing on with this series!

Crisis on Infinite Earths (Crisis on Infinite Earths #1-12) by Marv Wolfman and George Perez

 Crisis on Infinite Earths (Crisis on Infinite Earths #1-12) by Marv Wolfman and George Perez-368 pages

Originally published in 1985, Crisis was a game-changer for DC Comics (and for comics in general). Worlds and superheroes perish in this epic battle of good vs. evil. I wanted to read this because I watched the CW "Arrowverse" crossover featuring Supergirl, The Flash, Green Arrow, and many others. A scene from the crossover episodes piqued my interest in reading the original comic material. This comic and the TV crossover are similar, yet different. I enjoyed reading this comic, but I enjoyed the TV crossover more. However, the CW crossover wouldn't have been possible without the original material, so this gets props for that. 

Ms. Marvel: Something New (Ms. Marvel #9-10) by G. Willow Wilson

 Ms. Marvel: Something New (Ms. Marvel #9-10) by G. Willow Wilson-248 pages

I previously read a few volumes of G. Willow Wilson's Ms. Marvel and really enjoyed it. With a show on Disney Plus about Ms. Marvel reportedly releasing sometime this year, I was interested in reading more of her story. Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel) learns more about herself and what she really wants. She also learns more about how her powers work. Old and new friends and foes appear in this collection. I really enjoyed reading this as well and I look forward to watching the TV series when it releases.

Supernova by Marissa Meyer

Supernova (Renegades #3) by Marissa Meyer, 552 p.

"The epic conclusion to Marissa Meyer's thrilling Renegades Trilogy finds Nova and Adrian fighting to keep their identities secret. While the battle rages on between their alter egos and their allies, there is a darker threat shrouding Gatlon City.

The Renegades' worst enemy is back among them, threatening to reclaim Gatlon City. Nova and Adrian must brave lies and betrayal to protect those they love. Their greatest fears are about to come to life, and unless they can bridge the divide between heroes and villains, they stand to lose everything. Including each other.

Intrigue and action will leave readers on edge until the final, shocking secrets are revealed."--Goodreads blurb

I enjoyed this teen series more than I thought I would. It's a fun world to take yourself to, with heroes and villains living side-by-side with everyone else. The suspense was great in this last book and the conclusion was tidy. 

 

Renegades by Marissa Meyer

Renegades (Renegades #1) by Marissa Meyer, 556 p.

"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."--Goodreads blurb

This book has been on my TBR for a while, and it was a fast, fun read. Nothing new or groundbreaking in the storyline, but the characters are likeable and the writing and story keep you interested. I am looking forward to finishing out the series. 

Ms. Marvel, Vol. 2: Generation Why by G. Willow Wilson

 Ms. Marvel, Vol. 2: Generation Why by G. Willow Wilson-136 pages

Ms. Marvel is still getting acclimated to her new powers and her superhero life. She continues her quest to find and defeat the Inventor. She learns more about her powers and her limits. Kamala/Ms. Marvel learns that it's good to bring friends and be part of a team. She also learns more about the origins of her powers and that it wasn't merely the effects of the Terrigen gas, but also something more. I am enjoying this series so far, but I'm still not sure if I like it as much as the Avengers video game. I look forward to continuing the story in the subsequent volumes.

Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal by G. Willow Wilson

Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal by G. Willow Wilson-120 pages

This is the origin story for Ms. Marvel, aka Kamala Khan. She is a 16-year-old Pakistani-American girl in Jersey City. Kamala is still trying to figure out her place in the world and she sneaks out of the house to attend a party her parents told her she couldn't go to. During the party, she is made fun of and she runs off. As she is running away, a green mist fills the air and knocks her out. The green mist is Terrigen gas and it gives her super powers. Kamala saves a girl who was making fun of her at the party from drowning. Kamala trains and learns more about her strengths and weaknesses. She attempts to save a friend's brother from The Inventor. The first time she fails, but she prepares and succeeds on her second attempt. Her parents want her to be a good Muslim young woman. I was inspired to read this comic book series by playing the very recent video game "Marvel's Avengers." Ms. Marvel's origin story is slightly different in the video game, but the game was very enjoyable, so I wanted to read this for the monthly challenge. 

Teen Titans: Earth One Volume 2 by Jeff Lemire

Teen Titans:  Earth One Volume 2 by Jeff Lemire - 144 pages

They were just kids with the same problems as anyone. Victor Stone's mother wouldn't stop pushing him to be more than who he is. Tara Markov's mom couldn't tell you a thing about her daughter if her life depended on it. Joey Wilson was drawing further away from his peers every day, into a self-imposed world of silence. And Gar Logan had everything he could want, except the answer to what was happening to him...

...something that would happen to them all.

After months on the run from the twisted project that created them, Cyborg, Terra, Beast Boy, and Aqualad are near their breaking point, barely surviving on what they can steal, squatting in the ruins of an abandoned subdivision. But as they reach their lowest ebb, their creator, Dr. Niles Caulder, is ready to make his move...and they're about to learn that they weren't the only kids to go through Caulder's twisted process! There are more children with powers out there, and unlike our heroes, they were raised for only one purpose--to be the living weapons Caulder wants ALL his Titans to be!

Teen Titans: Earth One Volume 1 by Jeff Lemire

Teen Titans:  Earth One Volume 1 by Jeff Lemire - 144 pages

The Teen Titans never felt like normal kids... but they had no idea how right they were. Their seemingly idyllic Oregon upbringing hides a secret -- one that will bring killers, shamans, and extraterrestrials down on their heads, and force them into an alliance that could shake the planet to its foundations!

Superstars Jeff Lemire (ANIMAL MAN, GREEN ARROW) and Terry Dodson (WONDER WOMAN) reinvent DC's youngest heroes, with an all-new mythos in an all-new world!

Sidekicked by John David Anderson

Sidekicked by John David Anderson-373 pages

I started reading this for last month's challenge, which was superheroes, but didn't finish it. It also happens to be a one word title, so it counts for this month's challenge. I enjoyed reading this book and it is a clever story about superheroes and sidekicks in a fictitious town called Justicia. Plot twists abound and it is fun to read. Overall, I enjoyed Sidekicked.

Batgirl Volume 4: Wanted (The New 52) by Gail Simone and Illustrated by Fernando Pasarin

Batgirl Volume 4: Wanted (The New 52) by Gail Simone and Illustrated by Fernando Pasarin, 192 pages

I probably made a big faux pas when I accidentally read Volume 4 before Volume 3.  It was really shocking to find out Batgirl's brother was killed and she was the reason he was dead.  Still, I was able to follow the story, but was anxious to go back to Volume 3 to find out the circumstances of her brother's death.  Now, Batgirl has a bulls eye on her back with Commissioner Gordon's name on it.

Batgirl Volume 3: Death of the Family (The New 52) by Gail Simone and Illustrated by Ed Benes and Daniel Sampere

Batgirl Volume 3: Death of the Family(The New 52) by Gail Simone and Ed Benes and Illustrated by Daniel Sampere, 224 pages

Batgirl continues to recover her life after paralysis in Volume 3, Death of the Family.  This graphic novel takes a dark turn as the Joker continues to be part of Batgirl's life when he takes control of her brother and kidnaps her mother. Just when Batgirl is getting reacquainted with her mother, the unthinkable happens.  Will her family survive the Joker's Wrath?

Supergirl Volume1: Last Daughter of Krypton (The New 52) by Michael Green and Mike Johnson and Illustrated by Mahmud Asrar

Supergirl Volume 1: Last Daughter of Krypton (The New 52) by Michael Green and Mike Johnson and Illustrated by Mahmud Asrar, 160 pages

After reading four Batgirl graphic novel, I switched to Supergirl to see what her story was.  What better place to start then the New 52, Volume 1. I must admit I did enjoy this graphic novel.  The book tells the story of the Last Daughter of Krypton who has a past similar to Superman.  It was kind of neat to read the story of how a teenager has powers similar to her male counterpart Superman and also calls Krypton her home.

Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (Post-Crisis Superman Chronology #10) by John Byrne

Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (Post-Crisis Superman Chronology #10) by John
Byrne-191 pages

I enjoyed reading this as part of superheroes month. I have seen most of the episodes of Smallville and enjoyed the show, so I figured that I would enjoy reading this, although this was written a few years before the show. It contains *a few* stories about Superman (aka Clark Kent) and Lois Lane and includes such villains as Titano and Brainiac. Overall, it was worth reading.

Secret History of Wonder Woman by Jill Lepore

The Secret History of Wonder Woman by Jill Lepore, 408 pages

Jill LePore, a professor of American History at Harvard and a staff writer on the New Yorker, writes a fascinating book of how Harvard professor, William Moulton Marston created Wonder Women in 1941.  This book is essentially a biography of Wonder Woman.  Influenced by the women's suffrage movement and feminism, and also by his wife Elizabeth Holloway and Olive Byrne (who also lived with the family).  Marston was a psychologist, lawyer, inventor, and an advocate for women.  He is also credited with creating the systolic blood pressure test, an integral part of the modern day polygraph test.  This book also includes many early pictures of wonder women.  This was a very fascinating read!

Dark Night: A True Batman Story by Paul Dini

Dark Night: A True Batman Story by Paul Dini-129 pages

I started reading this thinking it was about Batman, but it is actually about one of the cartoonists who helped write one of the Batman cartoon shows. He was mugged one night on his way home and this story is mostly about his physical and mental recovery. It does include some details of writing for the Batman cartoon, though. Overall, it was a decent read, but not what I originally expected.