DC Graphic Novel 13+
Polish publishers of the comic book series from DC have been launching comics about the adventures of teenage heroes for a long time. The reviewed volumes are 9th and 10th in the cycle. In the pages of individual volumes, the young heroes discover their own identity, make friendships, but also struggle with the persistence of the outside world. The authors involved in these projects are most often world-class artists with fans also in Poland; you can mention, among others Kamiego Garcia ( Beautiful Creatures ), Lauren Myracle (May 3 ), Leigh Bardugo ( Grisha ) , Mariko Tamaki ( One Summer , Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass ) and Joëlle Jones ( Lady Killer , Catwoman ).
Flying Graysons – nothing lasts forever
Teen Nick Grayson is one of the members of Haly’s circus group. There are holidays, however, and a teenager would prefer to plan his day schedule according to his own rules, rather than doing the same well-known routines for a bored, dwindling audience every day. When another one, called “Lost Funfair,” opens near Haly’s circus, Dick almost immediately succumbs to its charm. The involvement is complemented by the fact that a mysterious Luciana appears in the area, who is able to charm the protagonist no less intensely. Nick is faced with a choice: whether to be loyal to his family or seek impressions alongside new friends and (perhaps) great love. The creators of the comic redefine the character of Dick Grayson – they cut off with a thick line what we already know about him from what he experiences as a teenager.Dynamic Duo ?). The Lost Amusement Park is a separate story set in the world of DC. The story of the teenage hero can therefore be the beginning of a different timeline.
A new wave of gentrification
Harleen Quinzel needs no introduction. This is one of the most colorful characters in the DC universe, distinguished by an eccentric character and extraordinary (often very destructive) ideas. In the comic, the fifteen-year-old heroine comes to Gotham with five dollars in her pocket. There, Mom, a famous drag queen in the city, takes her in, and while it might seem that everything will be fine now, a new wave of gentrification is quickly taking over a familiar reality. Harley establishes a relationship with Ivy – but Ivy primarily seeks to improve the conditions in the neighborhood and not in her head for having fun. So it seems more tempting to be accompanied by a Joker who has plans to… destroy Gotham. As we observe while reading, the title character of the second comic, on the one hand, wants to belong to some world, on the other – she craves emotions and adrenaline. However, her spontaneous decisions lead her to the wrong path, which – as you probably guessed – does not bother Harley herself. It does not lack charm, hence the title – a beautiful catastrophe.
Summary
Lost funfair. The story of Dick Grayson is the result of collaboration between Michael Morecia (screenplay), Sas Milledge and Phil Hester (drawings), David Calderon (colors), and Alicja Laskowska (translation). Their creation of the world makes us want to stand on the circus rope and perform acrobatics with the heroes. Harley Quinn. A beautiful disasteris a volume prepared by Eisner Award winner Mariko Tamasi and Eisner Award nominee Steve Pugh. The volume has been prepared with great attention to detail and delights on the one hand with the original form of the message, and on the other – with the accumulation of (graphic) details. In both comics, the plot deserves special attention – it is very complex. The authors could easily write it down into several volumes. Less than two hundred pages is not much to cover all the topics discussed and explain to the reader the genesis of specific accounts. Nevertheless, all volumes published in the DC Graphic Novel 13+ series are of similar length, which (probably) indicates some limitations for authors and publishers. Both comics impress with their color palette – some frames are in the noir style, others are characterized by simplicity, sometimes others – a bit blurry, and others – attract the reader’s attention with strongly distinguished elements, often the most important on the page. The graphics of both Milledge, Hester and Pugh will appeal to fans of unusual graphic designs and will undoubtedly constitute an independent element of the message! The biggest advantage of the reviewed volumes is that they can be read without knowing the DC universe. In addition, the authors leave themselves the option of continuing the story that has already begun, which only increases the curiosity of the recipient and provokes independent attempts to come up with further adventures. It’s worth remembering, however, that they are intended for 13+ readers for a reason. This is of particular importance in the context of the comic book about Quinn, who cannot be classified as a glorious group of polite heroines.
