Scan barcode
betweentheshelves's review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
3.5
Not knowing anything about Mister Miracle going into this, I admit it took me a while to actually figure out what was happening. I think some of the writing relied on the fact that readers will probably know some background for this character, which is fine! It just took away from the story a bit for me.
However, I did really love the art in this! The color scheme throughout is just fantastic. I think it meshes well with the drawing style and the story itself. I feel like sometimes these DC graphic novels can be hit or miss with the art, but this one was great!
Outside of the confusion with the world building, I did like the story arc and the writing for the characters in the story itself. Part of me just wishes that a bit more context was given at the beginning of the book, especially since these YA DC graphic novels are kind of hinging on the fact that readers might not have background knowledge on the character.
All in all, if you've liked the YA DC graphic novels this far, you'll probably enjoy this one too!
However, I did really love the art in this! The color scheme throughout is just fantastic. I think it meshes well with the drawing style and the story itself. I feel like sometimes these DC graphic novels can be hit or miss with the art, but this one was great!
Outside of the confusion with the world building, I did like the story arc and the writing for the characters in the story itself. Part of me just wishes that a bit more context was given at the beginning of the book, especially since these YA DC graphic novels are kind of hinging on the fact that readers might not have background knowledge on the character.
All in all, if you've liked the YA DC graphic novels this far, you'll probably enjoy this one too!
bec_cann's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.0
I was given an advance copy by Netgalley in exchange for review
This is a fine book overall, and it's a book that I think a lot of younger comic readers will enjoy. That's one of the things I like about this imprint from DC is that it keeps the interest of young readers in mind. I think it suffers from being a standalone origin story though, this isn't unique to this book it's a problem that I think a lot of the books about lesser known characters have.
Scott Free aka Mister Miracle is a character I had a passing familiarity with from old Justice League cartoons and a passing familiarity was really all I needed to feel like this book spent maybe a little too much time trying to flesh out who Scott was or would eventually be. If I thought there would be a follow up this wouldn't be such an issue, but since we haven't seen much of that from DC I'm not holding my breath.
I also felt the coloring was a little flat, again not necessarily a problem unique to this book, and I will say in print it might not be as obvious in print as it was digitally.
To close on a more positive note, I did really like the romance between Barda and Scott. I felt like it brought out the best in both of their characters and their interactions really made the whole book. They were both charming and well written characters and after this origin story I would like to see Johnson spend a little more time with them both.
This is a fine book overall, and it's a book that I think a lot of younger comic readers will enjoy. That's one of the things I like about this imprint from DC is that it keeps the interest of young readers in mind. I think it suffers from being a standalone origin story though, this isn't unique to this book it's a problem that I think a lot of the books about lesser known characters have.
Scott Free aka Mister Miracle is a character I had a passing familiarity with from old Justice League cartoons and a passing familiarity was really all I needed to feel like this book spent maybe a little too much time trying to flesh out who Scott was or would eventually be. If I thought there would be a follow up this wouldn't be such an issue, but since we haven't seen much of that from DC I'm not holding my breath.
I also felt the coloring was a little flat, again not necessarily a problem unique to this book, and I will say in print it might not be as obvious in print as it was digitally.
To close on a more positive note, I did really like the romance between Barda and Scott. I felt like it brought out the best in both of their characters and their interactions really made the whole book. They were both charming and well written characters and after this origin story I would like to see Johnson spend a little more time with them both.
bluehairedlibrarian's review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
3.75
I wanted to like this a lot more. Instead it feels unfinished. Apokolips's societal structure is a bit difficult to introduce in a story this short, much less make sense of Scott Free, Big Barda, and the who Darkseid thing. A lot of things had to be taken at face value rather than having any meaning behind them. Scott is searching for answers, but he's also trying to escape from this school that's a gateway into the Apokolips army. That part of the story is pretty straight forward. The relationships don't get enough time to grow or really feel like friendships, nor do the differences between the grunts and the officer classmates. The art is fun, with Scott's iconic costume turned into a hoodie and face mask, and the muted colors fits well with this dark place. The few examples of his escape artistry feel true to the character. I think people might be confused if they don't know about this part of the DC universe or these characters.
nightwing's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.75
Thanks to NetGalley & DC Comics for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.
"Mister Miracle" is an odd hero in DC's history, he's heavily involved in Darkseid (baddest of the bad in DC) and his conquering stuff. Though, MM isn't interested in conquering anything. It's especially highlighted in this graphic novel where Scott Free (Mister Miracle) simply wants to escape from Apokolips to Earth and get away from Darkseid & Granny Goodness' evil regime.
I haven't read much Mister Miracle so I came in this blind. I really enjoyed the reimagining and I was happy to see the graphic novel pushed the dystopian angle of Apokolips and didn't sugarcoat it. Scott Free is highlighted as a self-serving protagonist who struggles with morality on a planet that prefers the morally evil angle. I really enjoyed seeing Barda and Scott's evolving relationship and Barda was a great character on her own.
The artwork got a bit weird at some points--though I LOVED the colors! It was somehow vibrant and muted and it worked really well! The one villain toward the end had the most ridiculous-looking face and I couldn't take him seriously but that's a pretty minor complaint, so.
Can't wait to read the next one!
"Mister Miracle" is an odd hero in DC's history, he's heavily involved in Darkseid (baddest of the bad in DC) and his conquering stuff. Though, MM isn't interested in conquering anything. It's especially highlighted in this graphic novel where Scott Free (Mister Miracle) simply wants to escape from Apokolips to Earth and get away from Darkseid & Granny Goodness' evil regime.
I haven't read much Mister Miracle so I came in this blind. I really enjoyed the reimagining and I was happy to see the graphic novel pushed the dystopian angle of Apokolips and didn't sugarcoat it. Scott Free is highlighted as a self-serving protagonist who struggles with morality on a planet that prefers the morally evil angle. I really enjoyed seeing Barda and Scott's evolving relationship and Barda was a great character on her own.
The artwork got a bit weird at some points--though I LOVED the colors! It was somehow vibrant and muted and it worked really well! The one villain toward the end had the most ridiculous-looking face and I couldn't take him seriously but that's a pretty minor complaint, so.
Can't wait to read the next one!
foreveryoungadult's review
Graded By: Mandy C.
Cover Story: Pieces O’ Flair
BFF Charm: Natalie Imbruglia
Swoonworthy Scale: 5
Talky Talk: Pre-Origin Story
Arty Art: Plop and (No) Fizz
Bonus Factor: Height Difference
Anti-Bonus Factor: Awful Grownups
Relationship Status: Wishing You the Best
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Pieces O’ Flair
BFF Charm: Natalie Imbruglia
Swoonworthy Scale: 5
Talky Talk: Pre-Origin Story
Arty Art: Plop and (No) Fizz
Bonus Factor: Height Difference
Anti-Bonus Factor: Awful Grownups
Relationship Status: Wishing You the Best
Read the full book report here.
utopiastateofmind's review
3.0
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Scott has only ever dreamed of escape and finding out more about his parents. While I enjoyed the snippets of Apokolips we saw, I enjoyed Scott's character journey the most. He's driven by escape, but also by trying to figure out if he's a hero. If he's a protector, a friend, a partner. In this system of intense classicism - which I wish we had just gotten to see a bit more - Scott navigates his past while also planning for his future.
The pressure which lies across his shoulders is heavy. The burden not only of his own dreams, but the promises he has made. He has a good heart, but one that looks to what is possible. At the same time, Scott must learn that not everything lies alone on his shoulders. With his past fears and trauma, Scott must learn that he doesn't have to handle it alone. Mister Miracle: The Great Escape stresses the importance of choice, especially when we think we have none.
Scott has only ever dreamed of escape and finding out more about his parents. While I enjoyed the snippets of Apokolips we saw, I enjoyed Scott's character journey the most. He's driven by escape, but also by trying to figure out if he's a hero. If he's a protector, a friend, a partner. In this system of intense classicism - which I wish we had just gotten to see a bit more - Scott navigates his past while also planning for his future.
The pressure which lies across his shoulders is heavy. The burden not only of his own dreams, but the promises he has made. He has a good heart, but one that looks to what is possible. At the same time, Scott must learn that not everything lies alone on his shoulders. With his past fears and trauma, Scott must learn that he doesn't have to handle it alone. Mister Miracle: The Great Escape stresses the importance of choice, especially when we think we have none.
More...