tishreads's review against another edition
3.0
The illustrations were wonderful, but superheroes just aren't my thing. Without background knowledge of the Green Lantern story I felt like I missed a lot.
halschrieve's review against another edition
5.0
I love new graphic novels that revamp older comic series, and this work is refreshing, exciting, funny, politically savvy--and artistically gorgeous. Crisp lines, evocative eye contact, dynamic panel layout, and sleek backgrounds make this a treat for any reader.
This Green Lantern ring is a jade one--passed down to 13-year-old Tai Pham from his grandmother, who runs a grocery store in Bay-Area-Style Coast City. The store is attacked repeatedly by racist vandals who tell the Vietnamese refugees to "go home". The night Tai's grandmother dies, her ring finds him and chooses him as her superhero successor--an arc that's easy to follow even with zero familiarity with the Green Lantern legacy or complicated previous issues. A certain irreverence for superhero canon is essential for drawing in new readers, but even if Tai's friend jokes that he's a "space cop", the underlying magic and ethical questions that make superhero comics compelling are sill here, and as juicy as ever.
This story's villain is a techie billionaire cool guy named Xander. Embarrassing! He shows up with a dumb blond haircut and flashy business card just after Grandma dies, and offers to buy the grocery store as part of a highfalutin development plan that he calls "Gold Coast." When Tai and his friends interview him for a school project, they discover his vision includes replacing much of the neighborhood the Phams live in with tall skyscrapers. But Tai is transfixed, even as his friends aren't as much--after all, Xander says he sees something of himself in him.
Well, we cut to the chase, and as it turns out, Xander's only after power, order, and fear--just like the fear that drives xenophobic attacks. The answer, as always, is friendship, solidarity, history, honor, family, community. It's didactic, but this is for ages 7-12, and it really works-- the art is gorgeous, the kids are believable and lovable, and the dialogue isn't stale. We get enough info about the long history of the hero to work with it, but at the same time, we aren't overloaded. I love the anti-gentrification message, and I'm thrilled to see what new evils our baby lantern takes on.
This Green Lantern ring is a jade one--passed down to 13-year-old Tai Pham from his grandmother, who runs a grocery store in Bay-Area-Style Coast City. The store is attacked repeatedly by racist vandals who tell the Vietnamese refugees to "go home". The night Tai's grandmother dies, her ring finds him and chooses him as her superhero successor--an arc that's easy to follow even with zero familiarity with the Green Lantern legacy or complicated previous issues. A certain irreverence for superhero canon is essential for drawing in new readers, but even if Tai's friend jokes that he's a "space cop", the underlying magic and ethical questions that make superhero comics compelling are sill here, and as juicy as ever.
This story's villain is a techie billionaire cool guy named Xander. Embarrassing! He shows up with a dumb blond haircut and flashy business card just after Grandma dies, and offers to buy the grocery store as part of a highfalutin development plan that he calls "Gold Coast." When Tai and his friends interview him for a school project, they discover his vision includes replacing much of the neighborhood the Phams live in with tall skyscrapers. But Tai is transfixed, even as his friends aren't as much--after all, Xander says he sees something of himself in him.
Well, we cut to the chase, and as it turns out, Xander's only after power, order, and fear--just like the fear that drives xenophobic attacks. The answer, as always, is friendship, solidarity, history, honor, family, community. It's didactic, but this is for ages 7-12, and it really works-- the art is gorgeous, the kids are believable and lovable, and the dialogue isn't stale. We get enough info about the long history of the hero to work with it, but at the same time, we aren't overloaded. I love the anti-gentrification message, and I'm thrilled to see what new evils our baby lantern takes on.
emilymyhren's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
someul's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
jeremyanderberg's review against another edition
4.0
I've read a handful of graphic novels with my 6-year-old. This one has been the favorite so far. Easy-to-follow storyline, great art, good message, etc.
alyssa_s10's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
So closed to a five star but some of the plot felt like it should have been expanded a bit.
jkenna90's review against another edition
4.0
I think this was the best title so far to come out of DC Zoom. I really enjoyed the story and how they explained the history of the Green Lanterns. They introduced key characters in the Green Lantern universe, such as John Stewart and Sinestro. If you didn't know anything about the Green Lanterns going into this, you'll still be ok. On the other hand, if you do know all the Green Lantern lore, this is still a fun and entertaining addition to the collective story overall. Tai and all the other characters are nicely written and feel like fully fledged characters. I really enjoyed this and I hope the next DC Zoom title is just as good!
marblejones's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
thebookishlibrarian's review against another edition
Thanks to SLJ for a review copy of this book.
Thirteen-year-old Tai Pham loves comic books and has tons of sketchbooks of his own in his apartment above his grandmother’s store. When he inherits his grandmother’s ring, he realizes it’s magical powers and is soon initiated into a group of space cops knowns as the Green Lanterns. When his neighborhood is vandalized, he must come to the rescue as a hero.
Thirteen-year-old Tai Pham loves comic books and has tons of sketchbooks of his own in his apartment above his grandmother’s store. When he inherits his grandmother’s ring, he realizes it’s magical powers and is soon initiated into a group of space cops knowns as the Green Lanterns. When his neighborhood is vandalized, he must come to the rescue as a hero.