A review by divineblkpearl
Nubia: Real One by L.L. McKinney, Robyn Smith

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-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

5.0

 Yes, there are cool action scenes and fun dancy, fun panels with the besties but my FAVORITE pages from Nubia: Real One are the ones of Nubia's parents embracing her. Loving on her. In a year that continues to drown us in Black death by hands of the police, these ring true. 🖤 I just want to see more Black girls protected and loved and alive. 🖤
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Rereading Nubia: Real One by the creative team of L.L. McKinney and Robyn Smith has 
me thankful for such small moments of comfort and love for teenage Nubia in the YA reimaging of Wonder Woman's twin sister living in a time of Black Lives Matter, racial inequality, school violence and living amongst those who don't respect boundaries or care about consent. There are several scary moments like Nubia having a police officer hold a loaded gun at her as she's on her way home to an intense series of moments when her high school goes on lockdown due to an active shooter on campus.
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This graphic novel address a question: “Can you be a hero…if society doesn’t see you as a person?” Being young gifted and (openly) Black, this version of Nubia can most definitely be a hero, an avatar for those who see themselves in a world that doesn’t always look kindly to them. This is a graphic novel that speaks to Black girlhood, coming of age in turbulent times and becoming the hero you need, first and foremost. ULTIMATELY, I really wanna see Black girl win. Fictional and real. This book fulfills that need in comic book form. 
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