not_mike's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic novel.
While Ta-Nehisi Coates can write in the comic form, this first collection is just one big set-up for what is to come. Not what is.
Visually great, good dialogue, world-building, and interesting characters but not much happens until the last arc.
While Ta-Nehisi Coates can write in the comic form, this first collection is just one big set-up for what is to come. Not what is.
Visually great, good dialogue, world-building, and interesting characters but not much happens until the last arc.
bdrinehart's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-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
4.0
ronsos's review against another edition
2.0
Superhero comics are not generally my thing, and this didn't grab me. Plenty of talky talk and not much resolution. I'll stick to Coates' other writing.
naello's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
All kinds of things happen, but I don't really know why I should care. The drawings are great and the story might get interesting. But I won't be following it any further. My rating should take into account that I am not a connoisseur of superhero stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Violence
evipefi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
misssusan's review against another edition
3.0
it is so WEIRD to read current day stories about monarchy because all this revolutionary stuff is going on in wakanda and i'm just like '...t'challa you're my boy and i recognize that you are the protaganist but monarchy is a terrible form of government and the dora milaje especially make some good points'
also did anyone else have kanye west's power playing in their head when ayo said no one man should have the power t'challa does? no one? just me? alright then
3.5 stars
also did anyone else have kanye west's power playing in their head when ayo said no one man should have the power t'challa does? no one? just me? alright then
3.5 stars
laluna03's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
iffer's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 star? Eh...
I finally got around to reading these issues, and...eh? I really wanted to like this; I respect what Ta-Nehisi Coates is trying to do; and Stelfreeze's art is luscious. especially in depicting different settings. However, although Coates is trying to make this comic work on multiple levels, it doesn't succeed at the gateway level. It's not...engaging to read.
It's hard to communicate your message about history, politics, culture, personal angst, etc if people stop reading your title because it's boring to read, especially for a superhero comic. I honestly believe that comics (yes, even superhero comics) can work on multiple levels as Coates wants this title to, but in my opinion he didn't succeed well with this first "arc" (also annoying to me that this first trade was only 4 issues and nothing really happened or was resolved - Marvel shamelessly taking money). Perhaps this is Coates' inexperience writing a comic script, but there were too many simultaneous threads that never came together, and it was too difficult to execute in 24-page installments. There was altogether too much talking. Maybe this would've been better in a TV or movie format, but people sitting around talking or thinking doesn't take advantage of the comic format, and it's a testament to the artists on this book (including Laura Martin, the colorist), that this was as palatable as it was.
I finally got around to reading these issues, and...eh? I really wanted to like this; I respect what Ta-Nehisi Coates is trying to do; and Stelfreeze's art is luscious. especially in depicting different settings. However, although Coates is trying to make this comic work on multiple levels, it doesn't succeed at the gateway level. It's not...engaging to read.
It's hard to communicate your message about history, politics, culture, personal angst, etc if people stop reading your title because it's boring to read, especially for a superhero comic. I honestly believe that comics (yes, even superhero comics) can work on multiple levels as Coates wants this title to, but in my opinion he didn't succeed well with this first "arc" (also annoying to me that this first trade was only 4 issues and nothing really happened or was resolved - Marvel shamelessly taking money). Perhaps this is Coates' inexperience writing a comic script, but there were too many simultaneous threads that never came together, and it was too difficult to execute in 24-page installments. There was altogether too much talking. Maybe this would've been better in a TV or movie format, but people sitting around talking or thinking doesn't take advantage of the comic format, and it's a testament to the artists on this book (including Laura Martin, the colorist), that this was as palatable as it was.
ohnoflora's review against another edition
3.0
I definitely need to read this again. It is dense, complex and philosophical - which is definitely not a bad thing - in fact, is very welcome - but does mean that I found it hard to follow at times.
This has also been nominated for The Excelsior Award this year (a UK based award for comics and manga, read and voted for by school pupils). I think that some readers who are new to comics will find this difficult, but I also think it will be very rewarding for those who persevere with it.
This has also been nominated for The Excelsior Award this year (a UK based award for comics and manga, read and voted for by school pupils). I think that some readers who are new to comics will find this difficult, but I also think it will be very rewarding for those who persevere with it.