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birdmanseven's review
2.0
I was excited to get a preview copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I'd heard about it at the ALA conference and thought the idea sounded fun. Basically, kids text questions to their favorite superheroes and actually get answers.
The concept is clever and I really enjoyed the look of the book. The character designs stayed true to the source material but still felt modern and fun. Unfortunately, I don't think the formula for the stories really worked. I found the book to be a little repetitive and dull.
The individual sections don't really work as stories because they are always working towards answering a pretty weak question. This is where I feel it really misses the mark. I assumed when I heard the format that this would be something that was fun and helpful for kids. Why not ask real questions that kids are concerned with: how to fit in, how to deal with bad news, etc. Instead we get things like does Aquaman smell like fish. That might have worked as a funny one thrown in, but unfortunately it isn't funny. Ultimately, I think this struggles to find a tone. I know what reading level it is, but I have no ideas on what audience it's for.
The concept is clever and I really enjoyed the look of the book. The character designs stayed true to the source material but still felt modern and fun. Unfortunately, I don't think the formula for the stories really worked. I found the book to be a little repetitive and dull.
The individual sections don't really work as stories because they are always working towards answering a pretty weak question. This is where I feel it really misses the mark. I assumed when I heard the format that this would be something that was fun and helpful for kids. Why not ask real questions that kids are concerned with: how to fit in, how to deal with bad news, etc. Instead we get things like does Aquaman smell like fish. That might have worked as a funny one thrown in, but unfortunately it isn't funny. Ultimately, I think this struggles to find a tone. I know what reading level it is, but I have no ideas on what audience it's for.
stophie12's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
catlin's review
4.0
I rarely reach for middle-grade titles but I'm so glad I've read this one.
This was super adorable. All the little stories were fun in itself and the overarching plot was too. I'm sure young readers are going to love it.
This was super adorable. All the little stories were fun in itself and the overarching plot was too. I'm sure young readers are going to love it.
doctorwoofwoof's review
4.0
Other than Timothy Forner's MONTGOMERY SCHNAUZER, P.I., I am not much of a reader of books aimed at young'uns. However, when I saw that this was a book approachable by both adults (with an sense of fun) as well as well as the intended audience, I was onboard.
The premise was simple: the Justice Leaguers answering texts and emails, as well as an actual physical letter (thanks, Bats!), that deal with honest questions that children would likely pose to the heroes if they were real. There was also a backstory dealing with insectoids intent on invading the Earth, but yeah, not as important as the intial "Dear Justice League.." emails and texts. :)
Michael Northrop has a great sense of how to have fun without alienating the core fans, as well as satisfying the kids that were just intent on seeing how it might be if the League were able to answer their burning questions. I am a big fan of the "Bwa-hahahaha" years of Giffen and DeMatteis' JLI stories in the 80's, so this was definitely something I had no problem enjoying or even laughing out loud while reading it.
Equally fun was the art by Gustavo Duarte. His rendering of our "beloved" heroes did not cheapen our them, more of, in my opinion, a humanizing effect, which made them more relatable to their intended audience. I was not familiar with Brazilian cartoonist Duarte, but going forward, I will keeping an eye out for more by him.
Here's my final word... Regardless of where we are in the world at this particular moment, we know that we are stuck inside, trying to avoid contact with See-Oh-Vee-Eye-Dee (shhhh!), with our loved ones, and if you have children (my wife and I do not), you're probably experiencing some cabin fever. This book, right here, is the best solution to a bad situation. And, best of it, it's available on Kindle and Comixology, so you don't even need to go anywhere to obtain a copy! So, go ahead, get it and have good, old-fashioned fun, with/with children in your life!
Be safe, my friends!
The premise was simple: the Justice Leaguers answering texts and emails, as well as an actual physical letter (thanks, Bats!), that deal with honest questions that children would likely pose to the heroes if they were real. There was also a backstory dealing with insectoids intent on invading the Earth, but yeah, not as important as the intial "Dear Justice League.." emails and texts. :)
Michael Northrop has a great sense of how to have fun without alienating the core fans, as well as satisfying the kids that were just intent on seeing how it might be if the League were able to answer their burning questions. I am a big fan of the "Bwa-hahahaha" years of Giffen and DeMatteis' JLI stories in the 80's, so this was definitely something I had no problem enjoying or even laughing out loud while reading it.
Equally fun was the art by Gustavo Duarte. His rendering of our "beloved" heroes did not cheapen our them, more of, in my opinion, a humanizing effect, which made them more relatable to their intended audience. I was not familiar with Brazilian cartoonist Duarte, but going forward, I will keeping an eye out for more by him.
Here's my final word... Regardless of where we are in the world at this particular moment, we know that we are stuck inside, trying to avoid contact with See-Oh-Vee-Eye-Dee (shhhh!), with our loved ones, and if you have children (my wife and I do not), you're probably experiencing some cabin fever. This book, right here, is the best solution to a bad situation. And, best of it, it's available on Kindle and Comixology, so you don't even need to go anywhere to obtain a copy! So, go ahead, get it and have good, old-fashioned fun, with/with children in your life!
Be safe, my friends!
jessica42980's review
4.0
All my reviews can be found at: http://jessicasreadingroom.com
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This review will post on Publication Day: August6, 2019.
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Dear Justice League is a graphic novel aimed at middle grades kids. It is a fun continuous story of kids asking questions of their favorite hero/heroine. And the Justice League even gets to save the day!
There are eight ‘chapters’ featuring a member of the Justice League. Each chapter introduced the character then gets to the important issue of a child’s question in which the superhero answers honestly in their own unique way. Each chapter builds on the previous and we have appearances by Superman, Hawkgirl, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Green Lantern, Cyborg, and Batman.
Each chapter is unique and showcases the personality of each character. My personal favorite was The Flash’s chapter. And I have to say one thing: Poor ‘old fashioned’ Batman!
The illustrations are very colorful and well done. They definitely add to the story. I am not familiar with all the DC characters, so this was a good introduction for me. It would be great for kids as well. This is an enjoyable graphic novel for kids and adults!
Many thanks to the publisher for granting me a copy via NetGalley.
~~~~
This review will post on Publication Day: August6, 2019.
~~~~
Dear Justice League is a graphic novel aimed at middle grades kids. It is a fun continuous story of kids asking questions of their favorite hero/heroine. And the Justice League even gets to save the day!
There are eight ‘chapters’ featuring a member of the Justice League. Each chapter introduced the character then gets to the important issue of a child’s question in which the superhero answers honestly in their own unique way. Each chapter builds on the previous and we have appearances by Superman, Hawkgirl, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Green Lantern, Cyborg, and Batman.
Each chapter is unique and showcases the personality of each character. My personal favorite was The Flash’s chapter. And I have to say one thing: Poor ‘old fashioned’ Batman!
The illustrations are very colorful and well done. They definitely add to the story. I am not familiar with all the DC characters, so this was a good introduction for me. It would be great for kids as well. This is an enjoyable graphic novel for kids and adults!
Many thanks to the publisher for granting me a copy via NetGalley.
medievaloracle's review
5.0
[I received a free ARC at ALA for review purposes.]
This was so much fun! Letters to the Justice League, plus an alien insect invasion! I can't wait to give this to the kids at my library.
This was so much fun! Letters to the Justice League, plus an alien insect invasion! I can't wait to give this to the kids at my library.
citymouse's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0