#trung le ngygen

[peculiarwem]

All the graphic novels I read while I was gone...

I forgot to put the intro to this post. Whoops. These are all the graphic novels I read between May and December I think. Including content warnings.

The Magic Fish by Trung Le Ngygen

This was a beautiful story. The art is fantastic, the way the colors emphasized the story. I read this a really long time ago and it still is just so beautiful and I definitely cried. The myths woven throughout the story is so nice. I'm crying right now and I don't remember that much about it. 50/5 stars

CW: Cannibalism (told in fairy tale), death, religious figure brought in to discourage LGBT youth, shame over sexual identity

Nubia: Real One by LL McKinney and Robyn Smith

PI do not like the DC Graphic Novel line. I think realistically they will be more detrimental than not, but Nubia was a really good introduction. After its release, DC did retcon Nubia's origin, but I loved this story all the same. I think it was cute and I couldn't ask for more. 5/5

CW: police brutality, racism, sexual harassment and gun violence

Poison Ivy: Thorns by Kody Keplinger and Sara Kiplin

This is the book that really started turning me against DC Graphic Novels. While the story isn't the worst, Pamela is treated weirdly by the story. Usually she becomes Poison Ivy in a lab, but here her father creates Poison Ivy. In the end there's no real resolution and also the romance only exists for this book. Pamela, to me, isn't represented in Poison Ivy: Thorns, which is a fault I find with most of DC's Graphic Novels. I wish they were true to the character. I gave it 4/5 originally but honestly I would give it a 3/5 now.

CW: bullying, sexual assault/harassment, abuse,

Fangs by Sarah Andersen

This was so cute. It's just a bunch of illustrations of a vampire and her werewolf boyfriend. It's so simple but so nice. 5/5

CW: blood, murder

Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Louise Simonson and Leigh Bardugo

This is my least favorite of the DC graphic novels. It's based off of the book by the same name which I will probably never read because I did not like this graphic novel that much. The original story came out a year after Diana was stated to be canonically bi, but this story goes out of its way to avoid naming Diana as bi but names everyone else queer. The romance is dumb, it didn't have to be there, it would have been fine if the betrayal just came from a friend but also in general, the story is impossible in any of Diana's main continuities. If you think you're getting a good jumping on point from this story, you're wrong. Also the best character in this book, Alia, will probably never see a comic and that's sad. She's great. If you wanted to read this book, do it for her. I gave it a 3/5 stars.

CW: betrayal, bombing, death, plane crash, possession, shipwreck, shootings, and sickness.

House of El: The Shadow Threat by Claudia Gray and Eric Zawadski

I think the best DC Graphic Novels are about characters you don't know, but also you won't know. The Shadow Threat follows two krytonian citizens who are working against Krypton because Krypton sucks. You'll probably never see these characters in the comics and that's a saving grace. You meet Superman's parents but they aren't front and center enough to ruin the story. It was just a fun time with no rage. 5/5

No CWs

Under the Moon: A Catwoman Tale by Lauren Myracle and Issac Goodhart

Again, when you know these characters, these graphic novels suck. This one was represented Selina and Bruce fairly well but the way the story was built around them wasn't good. Selina starts calling herself Catgirl, not as a secret identity, but as her name and it's very cringy, but in general the story feels unfinished. There are a lot of loose threads that just don't go anywhere or where they do go is another new beginning instead of an ending. It's just disappointing. 3/5

CW: child abuse, homelessness, animal abuse, cutting, homophobia, suicidal ideation, and violence. Also, there's a little vague cult stuff.

Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall and Lisa Sterle

I really liked Squad. It was a little too short for me. I definitely could've read more but just in regards to the main couple. I think overall the plot was really well paced. It was a fun read. I gave it 5/5.

CWs: murder, eating disorders, general gore, cannibalism, sexual assault, alcohol, racism, sexism, fatphobia, homophobia, toxic friendships, toxic relationships, vomit

#wem mumbles #wem reads #wem reviews #graphic novels #The Magic Fish #nubia: real one #poison ivy: thorns #fangs #wonder woman: warbringer #house of el: the shadow threat #Under the Moon: a catwoman tale #squad #maggie tokuda hall #lisa sterle #lauren myracle #issac goodhart #claudia gray #eric zawadski #louise simonson #leigh bardugo #sarah andersen #kody keplinger #robyn smith #trung le ngygen