A review by chemistea
Black Canary, Volume 1: Kicking and Screaming by Brenden Fletcher
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
For a story that centered its plot around its characters, I wish the character development was shelled out more.
D.D. as a band member has her conflicts with the other two in her band as well as Maeve and Kurt occasionally. Originally, each of these characters finds a reason to be wary or dislike Dinah, however throughout the plot they suddenly are all closer to her than they were before despite no actual bonding between them and the fact Dinah makes no effort to work on those conflicts- she does not feel like a likable character to me for how she treats the other characters around her. I find characters like Kurt and Ditto to be used as plot devices during the entire novel and don't have anything to truly make their characters likable. I wish this story explored the conflicts and dynamics of each person in the band rather than writing off any fleshing out their backstories and character arcs needed.
I think Maeve was the only character I truly enjoyed reading about as you see multiple sides through her backstory and personality. Other than this, the art looks fun and dynamic and it was definitely something I enjoyed.
It's not a series I would continue, but if you are more focused on just a typical superhero action and are willing to compromise emotional nuances and character building, maybe you would be interested. If that's the case- I don't see anything wrong with finding it enjoyable.
D.D. as a band member has her conflicts with the other two in her band as well as Maeve and Kurt occasionally. Originally, each of these characters finds a reason to be wary or dislike Dinah, however throughout the plot they suddenly are all closer to her than they were before despite no actual bonding between them and the fact Dinah makes no effort to work on those conflicts- she does not feel like a likable character to me for how she treats the other characters around her. I find characters like Kurt and Ditto to be used as plot devices during the entire novel and don't have anything to truly make their characters likable. I wish this story explored the conflicts and dynamics of each person in the band rather than writing off any fleshing out their backstories and character arcs needed.
I think Maeve was the only character I truly enjoyed reading about as you see multiple sides through her backstory and personality. Other than this, the art looks fun and dynamic and it was definitely something I enjoyed.
Spoiler
The plot itself also feels a bit random for me and I wish there was more to it then the main characters being tracked down by "Kurt's people" and things like that because these characters have 'special abilities' without explaining any actual motivations or nuance in these people. I would say the same for the cheap out Ditto is just reborn and the explanation of Ditto being some alien and the fact she lacks a personality in general.It's not a series I would continue, but if you are more focused on just a typical superhero action and are willing to compromise emotional nuances and character building, maybe you would be interested. If that's the case- I don't see anything wrong with finding it enjoyable.