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book_trash's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jbrooxd's review
4.0
[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
This was a lot of fun! Graphic novel format to tell the story of the Justice League fighting an invasion while the heroes are also getting caught up on their email/mail. Letters to the Justice League range from a prank letter to a birthday invitation to questions about being the new kid and making big mistakes. The book is funny and sarcastic at times. I think kids will love this!
This was a lot of fun! Graphic novel format to tell the story of the Justice League fighting an invasion while the heroes are also getting caught up on their email/mail. Letters to the Justice League range from a prank letter to a birthday invitation to questions about being the new kid and making big mistakes. The book is funny and sarcastic at times. I think kids will love this!
tami_provencher's review
3.0
Dear Justice League would be an enjoyable independent read for young readers already interested in the heroes of the DC Universe. There over-arching storyline is an invasion of Insectoids from the planet Molt-On. Interwoven in this storyline, each hero receives a fan mail text or email asking a question about some facet of their superhero life. Each hero, in turn, responds to the question he or she receives as he or she is going about the business of defeating the Insectoid invasion.
The questions are a wonderful mix of curiosity, humor and (surprisingly) poignancy--exactly the kind of questions you would get from kids in this target demographic: ages 6-10.
To Superman: have you ever messed up?
To Hawkgirl: Hawks EAT small mammals. Do you?
To Aquaman: do you smell like fish most of the time?
To Wonder Woman: Will you come to my party (birthday)?
To Flash: if yur so fast, how come u haven't answered this yet?
To Green Lantern: Do you ever get tired of wearing green and black all the time?
To Cyborg: What's your screen name? I want to play you
To Batman: Have you ever been the new kid in town?
Michael Northrop easily blends the fan mail letters into the larger Insectoid story and Gustavo Duarte's illustrations are reminiscent to me of Dan Santat's best work full of color, expression and accessibility to the characters. It has a little more of the Cartoon Network series Teen Titans Go! flavor than the hardcore DC comics. In my opinion, that's what's appropriate for this age group.
My only disappointment with the book is that the letters to the two female superheroes do not allow them to respond with the same present-day action situations as the males. My daughter (now 15) has been an ardent Batman fan since she was 2 years old and was always outraged when someone suggested she might prefer Batgirl. Her response was always "Batgirl is stupid!" I would love for young girls to be able to see male and female superheroes as equally valuable so, while the treatment of Hawkgirl and Wonder Woman roles in Dear Justice League is not unexpected or uncommon, I still find it to be a bummer.
Dear Justice League is a perfect independent read for a young reader who enjoys the action of the DC Universe with a sprinkling of age-appropriate humor thrown in. A bonus is the pages at the end of the book designed for kids to write their own letter to the Justice League (or anyone else, for that matter). It's a great way to join teaching letter-writing with a superhero culture in which young readers are often already interested.
The questions are a wonderful mix of curiosity, humor and (surprisingly) poignancy--exactly the kind of questions you would get from kids in this target demographic: ages 6-10.
To Superman: have you ever messed up?
To Hawkgirl: Hawks EAT small mammals. Do you?
To Aquaman: do you smell like fish most of the time?
To Wonder Woman: Will you come to my party (birthday)?
To Flash: if yur so fast, how come u haven't answered this yet?
To Green Lantern: Do you ever get tired of wearing green and black all the time?
To Cyborg: What's your screen name? I want to play you
To Batman: Have you ever been the new kid in town?
Michael Northrop easily blends the fan mail letters into the larger Insectoid story and Gustavo Duarte's illustrations are reminiscent to me of Dan Santat's best work full of color, expression and accessibility to the characters. It has a little more of the Cartoon Network series Teen Titans Go! flavor than the hardcore DC comics. In my opinion, that's what's appropriate for this age group.
My only disappointment with the book is that the letters to the two female superheroes do not allow them to respond with the same present-day action situations as the males. My daughter (now 15) has been an ardent Batman fan since she was 2 years old and was always outraged when someone suggested she might prefer Batgirl. Her response was always "Batgirl is stupid!" I would love for young girls to be able to see male and female superheroes as equally valuable so, while the treatment of Hawkgirl and Wonder Woman roles in Dear Justice League is not unexpected or uncommon, I still find it to be a bummer.
Dear Justice League is a perfect independent read for a young reader who enjoys the action of the DC Universe with a sprinkling of age-appropriate humor thrown in. A bonus is the pages at the end of the book designed for kids to write their own letter to the Justice League (or anyone else, for that matter). It's a great way to join teaching letter-writing with a superhero culture in which young readers are often already interested.
books__brews_and_booze's review
5.0
The graphic novel I wish I’d had as a kid! I had trouble getting into the format of comic books and graphic novels as an adult ... I’d never read them as a kid and had to train my brain to follow not only the text, but also the artwork that played an equal role in telling the story.
(It was the Elvira comics that helped build the bridge for me to bridge the gap, but I digress!) :)
“Dear Justice League” is the graphic novel that would have done that for me years ago, if it had been around then! It gives the reader a peak into the day-to-day lives of superheroes, their childhood adventures, their pets... (Shout-out to Aqua-man and his fish, who stole the show for me!)
The superheroes answer letters and emails from their young fans and the answers are so fun and sweet, showing us that even superheroes make mistakes or question themselves.
Also, the back cover contained another gem for me. One of my favorite comic artists, Jerry Craft, creator of Mama’s Boyz, lent his glowing review to this book. That alone would have made me pick it up because Craft is just that good at his... well, craft... and his words carry that much weight for me.
I’ll be adding this my ‘gift giving list’ for my cousin, who is turning nine years old. I think he’ll really get a kick out of it. I’d read it with him first and do funny voices and things, but I think he’ll be able to grasp its humor and format just fine, especially if he has someone to introduce him to the genre.
This book is truly a gem for both young and adults. You won’t regret adding it to your collection because it’s a joyful book.
Oh, I came back to add this! Be sure to read all the way through to the end. The author profile is such a sweet addition to the book, and he grew up in my home state of Connecticut, so bonus points for that!
I also LOVE that there’s a section in the back for kids to write their own letter to the superheroes. It’s possible I got a little whimsical and teary-eyed, thinking of all the children who may write their own letters to the superheroes. Or adults. I won’t judge. ;)
(It was the Elvira comics that helped build the bridge for me to bridge the gap, but I digress!) :)
“Dear Justice League” is the graphic novel that would have done that for me years ago, if it had been around then! It gives the reader a peak into the day-to-day lives of superheroes, their childhood adventures, their pets... (Shout-out to Aqua-man and his fish, who stole the show for me!)
The superheroes answer letters and emails from their young fans and the answers are so fun and sweet, showing us that even superheroes make mistakes or question themselves.
Also, the back cover contained another gem for me. One of my favorite comic artists, Jerry Craft, creator of Mama’s Boyz, lent his glowing review to this book. That alone would have made me pick it up because Craft is just that good at his... well, craft... and his words carry that much weight for me.
I’ll be adding this my ‘gift giving list’ for my cousin, who is turning nine years old. I think he’ll really get a kick out of it. I’d read it with him first and do funny voices and things, but I think he’ll be able to grasp its humor and format just fine, especially if he has someone to introduce him to the genre.
This book is truly a gem for both young and adults. You won’t regret adding it to your collection because it’s a joyful book.
Oh, I came back to add this! Be sure to read all the way through to the end. The author profile is such a sweet addition to the book, and he grew up in my home state of Connecticut, so bonus points for that!
I also LOVE that there’s a section in the back for kids to write their own letter to the superheroes. It’s possible I got a little whimsical and teary-eyed, thinking of all the children who may write their own letters to the superheroes. Or adults. I won’t judge. ;)
diceydruid's review
4.0
Received an ARC; this was a really sweet story that humanizes superheroes for younger kids, and has some great characters learning some important lessons. Loved the art style and colors!
Great for kids who like DC Superhero Girls and similar books!
Great for kids who like DC Superhero Girls and similar books!
backonthealex's review
4.0
So, you all know how so many favorite Superheroes were a mainstay for American youth during WWII, right? Back then, the Justice League was formed and called the Justice Society of America (JSA), but eventually, morphed into the Justice League of America (JLA). In 2011, the JLA was reintroduced as the Justice League (JL), and that's pretty much where it stands today.* The name may have been changed over time, but the members not so much - there's Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Hawkgirl, Aquaman, the Flash, Green Lantern, Cyborg.
All of this brings us to Dear Justice League. Here are America's great superheroes, seemingly perfect in every way, but haven't you ever wondered if their lives are really as perfect as they seem. Don't they have any faults, or screw up once in a while, maybe make a wrong decision, or perhaps even have some good advice for the rest of us?
Yes, they do and you can find it all between the covers of this delightfully silly, sometimes serious look at some of the Justice League's not so spectacular adventures as they answer emails from some of their fans.
One boy wants to know if Superman is super all the time, so Superman recounts a time he flew into a building because he was texting while flying (twf). This set off a series of hilarious events that he tries to handle all over Metropolis, ending in Superman getting a ticket for, what else, twf.
Does Wonder Woman have any advice for an 10-almost-11-year old? You bet she does, and it involves her 11th birthday and some cake.
Or how about Batman, always so brave, so fearless, has he ever been scared? asks a boy about to go to a new school and afraid he's going to be picked on the way he was at his old school.
Dear Justice League is divided into nine chapters, one for each Superheroes' story and a final chapter that ties it all together. There is a storyline running through each chapter that connects each story to the others involving a insectoid that escaped Hawkgirl's mighty mace. Insectoids are giant mantis-like alien bugs from the planet Molt-On and can replicate very quickly and easily so it's important for the Justice League to deal with them. But as insectoid's keep replicating exponentially, can they be stopped, even by Superheroes?
This is such a fun book to read, and I know young fans of the Justice League will love it. It has a very energetic, tongue-in-cheek text, but nothing really over the heads of young readers. And Duarte's colorful cartoon-like illustrations will no doubt appeal to kids. I liked that the Superheroes take the time to answer kid's email questions, and the way some of the stories circled back to the email writer to show how the advice they got helped them.
It seems that most kids go through a phase of being totally into Superheroes and this is geared perfectly for the age when that usually happens, a time when kids are out in the world because of school and activities and life is beginning to get more complicated and a little Superhero fantasy helps. I know my Kiddo went through a Superhero phase (and probably hasn't outgrown it yet, if truth be told).
Dear Justice League is a fun definite-must-read book for fans, and ideal for introducing kids to the Superhero realm, and might even hold appeal for reluctant readers.
This book is recommended for readers age 8+
This book was an EARC received from the publisher
All of this brings us to Dear Justice League. Here are America's great superheroes, seemingly perfect in every way, but haven't you ever wondered if their lives are really as perfect as they seem. Don't they have any faults, or screw up once in a while, maybe make a wrong decision, or perhaps even have some good advice for the rest of us?
Yes, they do and you can find it all between the covers of this delightfully silly, sometimes serious look at some of the Justice League's not so spectacular adventures as they answer emails from some of their fans.
One boy wants to know if Superman is super all the time, so Superman recounts a time he flew into a building because he was texting while flying (twf). This set off a series of hilarious events that he tries to handle all over Metropolis, ending in Superman getting a ticket for, what else, twf.
Does Wonder Woman have any advice for an 10-almost-11-year old? You bet she does, and it involves her 11th birthday and some cake.
Or how about Batman, always so brave, so fearless, has he ever been scared? asks a boy about to go to a new school and afraid he's going to be picked on the way he was at his old school.
Dear Justice League is divided into nine chapters, one for each Superheroes' story and a final chapter that ties it all together. There is a storyline running through each chapter that connects each story to the others involving a insectoid that escaped Hawkgirl's mighty mace. Insectoids are giant mantis-like alien bugs from the planet Molt-On and can replicate very quickly and easily so it's important for the Justice League to deal with them. But as insectoid's keep replicating exponentially, can they be stopped, even by Superheroes?
This is such a fun book to read, and I know young fans of the Justice League will love it. It has a very energetic, tongue-in-cheek text, but nothing really over the heads of young readers. And Duarte's colorful cartoon-like illustrations will no doubt appeal to kids. I liked that the Superheroes take the time to answer kid's email questions, and the way some of the stories circled back to the email writer to show how the advice they got helped them.
It seems that most kids go through a phase of being totally into Superheroes and this is geared perfectly for the age when that usually happens, a time when kids are out in the world because of school and activities and life is beginning to get more complicated and a little Superhero fantasy helps. I know my Kiddo went through a Superhero phase (and probably hasn't outgrown it yet, if truth be told).
Dear Justice League is a fun definite-must-read book for fans, and ideal for introducing kids to the Superhero realm, and might even hold appeal for reluctant readers.
This book is recommended for readers age 8+
This book was an EARC received from the publisher
scostner's review against another edition
4.0
Answering fan mail doesn't sound too dangerous compared to a superhero's usual activities, but you would be surprised. Superman actually crashes into a building while reading an email from a fan while flying through the city. Other fans write to Aquaman asking if he smells like a fish, or to Hawkgirl asking if she eats small mammals. Wonder Woman gets invited to a birthday party - and has some memories of her own eleventh birthday. (Warning, don't pig out on the cake.)
The notes come from kids with a variety of questions - some are worried about fashion, others want to know about how to survive the first day at a new school. (Batman has some great ideas for a school utility belt.) Besides answering their mail, we also see the heroes feeding pets, teasing each other, and battling giant bugs from outer space. Flash even teaches some practical jokers a lesson. The final letter actually addresses the entire League, so they answer it together, rounding off the book with a nice recap of the lessons the heroes have learned.
With humorous situations and action-filled illustrations, this graphic novel is sure to appeal to DC fans.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
The notes come from kids with a variety of questions - some are worried about fashion, others want to know about how to survive the first day at a new school. (Batman has some great ideas for a school utility belt.) Besides answering their mail, we also see the heroes feeding pets, teasing each other, and battling giant bugs from outer space. Flash even teaches some practical jokers a lesson. The final letter actually addresses the entire League, so they answer it together, rounding off the book with a nice recap of the lessons the heroes have learned.
With humorous situations and action-filled illustrations, this graphic novel is sure to appeal to DC fans.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
erinyesnfurious's review
4.0
Love the format of this book, the joyous colors and how the art style stretches expressions! Engaging for young kids and mimics a lot of the social media outreach we’re seeing now. With media at our fingertips it’s easy for kids to get a sense of how close their heroes are and mimic the letter writing of years prior, seeking out advice and the help of their heroes. Love this take!
bookedbyhannah's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5