Scan barcode
alexluceli's review against another edition
5.0
my audible gasp when i realized david alleyne is in this run. america and david friendship is everything!! queer besties. also AMERIKATE!!!
the_reading_wren's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I loved the art for the first few comics, the style was perfectly suited to the story.
The plot definitely got better through the volume. There were some story arcs I loved, like America’s friendship with Kate, and others that either had plot holes and/or were rushed.
I’m willing to read more because America’s character has a lot of heart and I think her development could be really interesting, I just hope the writing slows down and gives each story the space they need.
The plot definitely got better through the volume. There were some story arcs I loved, like America’s friendship with Kate, and others that either had plot holes and/or were rushed.
I’m willing to read more because America’s character has a lot of heart and I think her development could be really interesting, I just hope the writing slows down and gives each story the space they need.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Kidnapping
Minor: Blood and Death of parent
A brief Second World War setting in the first issue.oworthyfool's review against another edition
5.0
Our favourite badass kicks more ass, takes more names, goes on a roadtrip with her bestie, and learns some more about herself along the way. Featuring ladies loving and supporting ladies, beautiful art by Joe Quiñones, and snappy dialogue by Gabby Rivera, this is a must read for anyone who appreciates badass queer ladies.
whichcraftidk's review against another edition
4.0
America hasn't gotten a lot of page time and she's never the star. These are both unfortunate things. In a team, America is brash, punchy, cool, confident, and powerful as hell. She has an attitude. She's a little mysterious. She teases but she loves.
In her own series, we get an America who shows more insecurity and isn't so sure of her place. Her bold moves get her into trouble she can't always punch out of. Some of the people she loves are there and she puts all her faith in them but it takes her a little longer to warm up to new friends. When she finally does, she gets a supporting cast I'm going to miss.
I liked seeing an America that isn't always in control and who admits to some of her pain. I loved watching her family grow and her finding the strength in herself to accept the new family and draw on their strength as well. This is a new side of America and it makes her that much better. That much more human. She can still punch holes through space and solve problems with her fists, but she's learning that she can count on her friends and let her feelings show to more than the few people she has history with.
I read some reviews here when I was about halfway through. A lot of people think Gabby Rivera did a disservice to America. Gabby gave America so much and developed her in new ways that make this kickass woman even better. If this story of family of choice and family of wtf-timelines doesn't hit you in the feels, you've got no feels to be hit.
In her own series, we get an America who shows more insecurity and isn't so sure of her place. Her bold moves get her into trouble she can't always punch out of. Some of the people she loves are there and she puts all her faith in them but it takes her a little longer to warm up to new friends. When she finally does, she gets a supporting cast I'm going to miss.
I liked seeing an America that isn't always in control and who admits to some of her pain. I loved watching her family grow and her finding the strength in herself to accept the new family and draw on their strength as well. This is a new side of America and it makes her that much better. That much more human. She can still punch holes through space and solve problems with her fists, but she's learning that she can count on her friends and let her feelings show to more than the few people she has history with.
I read some reviews here when I was about halfway through. A lot of people think Gabby Rivera did a disservice to America. Gabby gave America so much and developed her in new ways that make this kickass woman even better. If this story of family of choice and family of wtf-timelines doesn't hit you in the feels, you've got no feels to be hit.
katgriff's review against another edition
4.0
sure, some of the dialogue is a little cringe. but i love america’s character so much. also glad we got some quality america & kate time.
emeelee's review against another edition
4.0
Vol. 1: The Life and Times of America Chavez ★★★★☆
Vol. 2: Fast and Fuertona ★★★★★ (4.5)
I've been so looking forward to America Chavez's solo series, since I loved Young Avengers and America was one of my favorites from that group. One of the best things about America (and this whole generational line-up of heroes) is the diversity! America Chavez is a queer, brown, Latina, star-portal-punching, kickass alien superhero, who's trying to serve justice and also finish her college degree.
Now, one of the reasons I loved YA so much was because of the artist Jamie McKelvie (who also illustrates The Wicked + The Divine, another of my favorite comics), who is one of my favorite illustrators. In comics/graphic novels the art style really does matter as much or more than the story. The art style in America was good, although I didn't love the artist change for #5, especially since that was the majority of Kate Bishop's inclusion, but ah well I guess I can't have everything. I love that America has so much style, the way so much attention is paid to all of the characters' personal fashion really made this visual story a treat to read.
I really enjoyed the various cameos: Kate of course, Loki, T'Challa, Carol Danvers, Moon Girl, Prodigy, Peggy Carter, Storm, and even Sonia Sotomayor. I loved seeing the friendship between Kate and America take a front seat, because that was one of the best things about YA, and it's so important to see superwomen supporting and loving each other.
The storyline is fine, though I did have some trouble following it through the first couple issues. America's emotional journey is more intriguing than the action so far-- I'm excited to see that America will be discovering more about herself-- her powers, her ancestors, who she is and where she comes from.
Vol. 2: Fast and Fuertona ★★★★★ (4.5)
I've been so looking forward to America Chavez's solo series, since I loved Young Avengers and America was one of my favorites from that group. One of the best things about America (and this whole generational line-up of heroes) is the diversity! America Chavez is a queer, brown, Latina, star-portal-punching, kickass alien superhero, who's trying to serve justice and also finish her college degree.
Now, one of the reasons I loved YA so much was because of the artist Jamie McKelvie (who also illustrates The Wicked + The Divine, another of my favorite comics), who is one of my favorite illustrators. In comics/graphic novels the art style really does matter as much or more than the story. The art style in America was good, although I didn't love the artist change for #5, especially since that was the majority of Kate Bishop's inclusion, but ah well I guess I can't have everything. I love that America has so much style, the way so much attention is paid to all of the characters' personal fashion really made this visual story a treat to read.
I really enjoyed the various cameos: Kate of course, Loki, T'Challa, Carol Danvers, Moon Girl, Prodigy, Peggy Carter, Storm, and even Sonia Sotomayor. I loved seeing the friendship between Kate and America take a front seat, because that was one of the best things about YA, and it's so important to see superwomen supporting and loving each other.
The storyline is fine, though I did have some trouble following it through the first couple issues. America's emotional journey is more intriguing than the action so far-- I'm excited to see that America will be discovering more about herself-- her powers, her ancestors, who she is and where she comes from.
letsgolesbians's review against another edition
4.0
Read this issue by issue, rather than as a single volume. Notes on each issue below.
Issues 1 and 2: Not the same America I loved from a young Avengers, which I'm okay with. Gabby is writing America as lighter, less severe, more comfortable around her people, laughing more. I like it; I like this side of her, and I think it's really important to see POC in their communities, not always surrounded by white people. I'm also loving the self-discovery, and a lot of America's identity stuff (especially regarding her family) reflect my own. I don't love this art (McKelvie will always draw my favorite America), but the close ups are gorgeous.
Issue 3: Definitely my favorite so far, and probably one of my favorite things I've ever read because I relate to it so much.
"After my moms died, I left the parallel. I found spaces on earth where little brown girls blended into the scenery and became part of the family. Once Abuela Santa offered me that first plate of arroz on gandules, I was one of hers. No questions asked. Didn't even know what a Puerto Rican was. I just knew these folks looked like me and let me in."
Listen. (And please don't argue with me about any of this, because I'm speaking from personal experiences and I'm sick of being told my experiences aren't valid.) Not knowing where you come from sucks, especially when you're brown. When you're white and don't know who you are or where you come from, it's also not great, but you can find solace in many, many places. When you're brown and don't know where you come from, there's this added layer of "what am I" on top of the who and the where, and not knowing exactly what identity you are is awful. Not being able to figure things out because the only person (people, in America's case) who can answer your questions and help you is dead is also awful. America finding people who look like her and finding her place in the multiverse that way is amazing and gorgeous and something I wish I could have done, because now I'm stuck in no-woman's-land and have nothing and no ties. This issue made me cry, because I love that Gabby Rivera is allowed to address this type of thing and explore identity and race and that feeling of belonging.
"Still, I was a tourist everywhere. Lifting language and culture from the love of people who weren't my kin but held me as their own. Dove fists first into being a super hero 'cuz it felt right. Like I was honoring my moms, you know?"
Tourist everywhere. That's me. That's why I've left most social platforms--I don't fit anywhere. So I left, fists out.
Issue 4: Not as heavy-hitting as issue 3, but still enjoyable. Also, I need all of America's crop tops. All. of. them.
Issue 5: YOU CANNOT TELL ME THAT AMERIKATE ISN'T END GAME. I know that some people want them to stay friends because we definitely need more strong female friendships in comics (we need them everywhere tbh), but I get my friendships from Doreen & Nancy and Jennifer & Patsy. I need America and Kate to eventually go from best friend soulmates to romantic soul mates.
"...And I could really go on, but what I want right now is a minute to think."
"I'm going to give that to you and anything else you ever want, Kate Bishop. You know that?"
"Always the bride's best archer, never the archer-bride."
GOD. JUST. UGH. (Though I also would give Kate Bishop whatever the hell she wanted because Kate Bishop is my dream girl.)
I need more Amerikate road trips. Time to go write some.
Issue 6: Fuck, I love this cover.
I put this in my Hawkeye review, but I really don't understand why we don't see more crossover between Kate and America--they're both dealing with family stuff, they both ended up in a fight club, and I know Kate is in this issue but the stories themselves aren't intersecting at all. I love that Kate is part of the search and rescue and that she's involved in this to begin with because of course she would be, but some acknowledgement of the fact that they're both being hit with some identity stuff would be great.
"America's mejor amiga" uh huh sure just like they're gal pals, right. I refer to my friends as the Thelma to my Louise all the time /eyeroll
How lucky to have family who can help you figure out who you are.
Overall: I also wonder what the implications of this run are--if America identifies as Latina because when she was a kid and wandering around Earth alone, what does that say about who she is? Does that mean that I can connect with her more than I thought because she just kind of...picked an identity? I know we're getting more of her backstory and her family was Latinx according to what we're seeing, but how do identities and ethnicities change when you're talking about a superhero who isn't originally from Earth? Identities are already looked at differently in the US vs other places on the globe, so how much more different would they be when looking at someone outside of this planet? What if her family had a different ethnicity than the one she picked when she was alone? What does this mean for people who didn't grow up with their culture? Is it more okay for non-white people to pick up on customs and expressions and borrow from each other?
I'm over-thinking this, I know, but America is my favorite and the things Rivera has brought up in this run are interesting and have made me think a lot.
Issues 1 and 2: Not the same America I loved from a young Avengers, which I'm okay with. Gabby is writing America as lighter, less severe, more comfortable around her people, laughing more. I like it; I like this side of her, and I think it's really important to see POC in their communities, not always surrounded by white people. I'm also loving the self-discovery, and a lot of America's identity stuff (especially regarding her family) reflect my own. I don't love this art (McKelvie will always draw my favorite America), but the close ups are gorgeous.
Issue 3: Definitely my favorite so far, and probably one of my favorite things I've ever read because I relate to it so much.
"After my moms died, I left the parallel. I found spaces on earth where little brown girls blended into the scenery and became part of the family. Once Abuela Santa offered me that first plate of arroz on gandules, I was one of hers. No questions asked. Didn't even know what a Puerto Rican was. I just knew these folks looked like me and let me in."
Listen. (And please don't argue with me about any of this, because I'm speaking from personal experiences and I'm sick of being told my experiences aren't valid.) Not knowing where you come from sucks, especially when you're brown. When you're white and don't know who you are or where you come from, it's also not great, but you can find solace in many, many places. When you're brown and don't know where you come from, there's this added layer of "what am I" on top of the who and the where, and not knowing exactly what identity you are is awful. Not being able to figure things out because the only person (people, in America's case) who can answer your questions and help you is dead is also awful. America finding people who look like her and finding her place in the multiverse that way is amazing and gorgeous and something I wish I could have done, because now I'm stuck in no-woman's-land and have nothing and no ties. This issue made me cry, because I love that Gabby Rivera is allowed to address this type of thing and explore identity and race and that feeling of belonging.
"Still, I was a tourist everywhere. Lifting language and culture from the love of people who weren't my kin but held me as their own. Dove fists first into being a super hero 'cuz it felt right. Like I was honoring my moms, you know?"
Tourist everywhere. That's me. That's why I've left most social platforms--I don't fit anywhere. So I left, fists out.
Issue 4: Not as heavy-hitting as issue 3, but still enjoyable. Also, I need all of America's crop tops. All. of. them.
Issue 5: YOU CANNOT TELL ME THAT AMERIKATE ISN'T END GAME. I know that some people want them to stay friends because we definitely need more strong female friendships in comics (we need them everywhere tbh), but I get my friendships from Doreen & Nancy and Jennifer & Patsy. I need America and Kate to eventually go from best friend soulmates to romantic soul mates.
"...And I could really go on, but what I want right now is a minute to think."
"I'm going to give that to you and anything else you ever want, Kate Bishop. You know that?"
"Always the bride's best archer, never the archer-bride."
GOD. JUST. UGH. (Though I also would give Kate Bishop whatever the hell she wanted because Kate Bishop is my dream girl.)
I need more Amerikate road trips. Time to go write some.
Issue 6: Fuck, I love this cover.
I put this in my Hawkeye review, but I really don't understand why we don't see more crossover between Kate and America--they're both dealing with family stuff, they both ended up in a fight club, and I know Kate is in this issue but the stories themselves aren't intersecting at all. I love that Kate is part of the search and rescue and that she's involved in this to begin with because of course she would be, but some acknowledgement of the fact that they're both being hit with some identity stuff would be great.
"America's mejor amiga" uh huh sure just like they're gal pals, right. I refer to my friends as the Thelma to my Louise all the time /eyeroll
How lucky to have family who can help you figure out who you are.
Overall: I also wonder what the implications of this run are--if America identifies as Latina because when she was a kid and wandering around Earth alone, what does that say about who she is? Does that mean that I can connect with her more than I thought because she just kind of...picked an identity? I know we're getting more of her backstory and her family was Latinx according to what we're seeing, but how do identities and ethnicities change when you're talking about a superhero who isn't originally from Earth? Identities are already looked at differently in the US vs other places on the globe, so how much more different would they be when looking at someone outside of this planet? What if her family had a different ethnicity than the one she picked when she was alone? What does this mean for people who didn't grow up with their culture? Is it more okay for non-white people to pick up on customs and expressions and borrow from each other?
I'm over-thinking this, I know, but America is my favorite and the things Rivera has brought up in this run are interesting and have made me think a lot.
shksprsis's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
renatasnacks's review against another edition
4.0
As a comics reader I'm used to embracing a certain amount of confusion of "is this a new character or just a character I haven't seen before? Is this college in a different dimension or like what's happening here?" But basically I really enjoyed it! I especially loved seeing her interact with Peggy Carter and 80s Storm <3
A fun start to a series, I'll definitely continue to follow it.
A fun start to a series, I'll definitely continue to follow it.