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dembury's review against another edition
3.0
This was a sweet and vibrant Black Canary story, and I think it was nicely told in Cara McGee's art style. I can see young middle-grade and younger teen readers interested in superhero origin stories really enjoying it! The biggest downside is that it's not really anything super original; in fact it was predictable in every single way I can imagine. The story and plot itself definitely could have used more pizzazz.
tshepiso's review against another edition
2.5
As much as I attempt to suppress my inner hater whenever I read DC Ink/Zoom/YA graphic novels because I'm not the target audience I have to admit as someone who has read other stronger comic books for kids that Black Canary: Ignite is pretty weak in some areas.
The story follows Dinah Lance a middle schooler who dreams of one day following her dads footsteps and joining the GCPD despite his protests because she's passionate about helping people. But as random accidents begin to occur around her and mysterious threats show up at her school and home she soon discovers she's inherited her mother former vigilante Black Canary's canary cry.
My biggest problem with Black Canary: Ignite was its weak writing. Meg Cabot is a first time graphic novel writer and like with many in this line I can tell she's not entirely comfortable with this medium of storytelling. The dialogue especially was frequently overly on the nose and clunky. While naturalistic dialogue isn't necessary for good storytelling the direct and didactic nature of how all of the characters speak made for an awkward read.
The overall arc of the graphic novel was also a bit messy and rushed. Dinah deals with her principal marking her as a troublemaker, tension with her best friends/bandmates, arguments with her dad about wanting to be a cop, managing her burgeoning superpowers, school bullies and a supervillain trying to kill her. This story either needed to longer to better manage weaving in and out of these various plot threads or be streamlined because many of these beats fall flat as they are abruptly introduced and hastily wrapped up.
But despite some of its flaws this comic has its moments. As a Black Canary fan I noticed lots of big and small references woven throughout that demonstrate that the creative team was familiar with and deferent to Black Canary canon. From Dinah having a box of wigs in her basement to the family flower shop being bering called Sherwood Florists to Dinah training with Wildcat. These little nods were really endearing.
But even though the book was littered with fun easter eggs I couldn't help but be disappointed that left some opportunities on the table to engage with the legacy of the character. The most baffling choice the book makes is sidelining Dinah's relationship with her mother. She has big blow ups with her dad about wanting to be cop and is trained by Wildcat and a random choir teacher. But despite inheriting her mothers legacy the book devotes barely any of its page count on their relationship. This was especially disappointing for me because mainline DC continuity rarely has the chance to show these two interacting because Dinah's mom is dead so this could have been a perfect opportunity to tell a story other comics couldn't.
Overall I'd say Black Canary: Ignite isn't an essential read for adult fans of the character but if a 9 year old told me their favourite character was Black Canary I'd readily put this in their hands. In the context of the wider DC Zoom and Ink lines this certainly isn't the best but it wasn't bad either.
The story follows Dinah Lance a middle schooler who dreams of one day following her dads footsteps and joining the GCPD despite his protests because she's passionate about helping people. But as random accidents begin to occur around her and mysterious threats show up at her school and home she soon discovers she's inherited her mother former vigilante Black Canary's canary cry.
My biggest problem with Black Canary: Ignite was its weak writing. Meg Cabot is a first time graphic novel writer and like with many in this line I can tell she's not entirely comfortable with this medium of storytelling. The dialogue especially was frequently overly on the nose and clunky. While naturalistic dialogue isn't necessary for good storytelling the direct and didactic nature of how all of the characters speak made for an awkward read.
The overall arc of the graphic novel was also a bit messy and rushed. Dinah deals with her principal marking her as a troublemaker, tension with her best friends/bandmates, arguments with her dad about wanting to be a cop, managing her burgeoning superpowers, school bullies and a supervillain trying to kill her. This story either needed to longer to better manage weaving in and out of these various plot threads or be streamlined because many of these beats fall flat as they are abruptly introduced and hastily wrapped up.
But despite some of its flaws this comic has its moments. As a Black Canary fan I noticed lots of big and small references woven throughout that demonstrate that the creative team was familiar with and deferent to Black Canary canon. From Dinah having a box of wigs in her basement to the family flower shop being bering called Sherwood Florists to Dinah training with Wildcat. These little nods were really endearing.
But even though the book was littered with fun easter eggs I couldn't help but be disappointed that left some opportunities on the table to engage with the legacy of the character. The most baffling choice the book makes is sidelining Dinah's relationship with her mother. She has big blow ups with her dad about wanting to be cop and is trained by Wildcat and a random choir teacher. But despite inheriting her mothers legacy the book devotes barely any of its page count on their relationship. This was especially disappointing for me because mainline DC continuity rarely has the chance to show these two interacting because Dinah's mom is dead so this could have been a perfect opportunity to tell a story other comics couldn't.
Overall I'd say Black Canary: Ignite isn't an essential read for adult fans of the character but if a 9 year old told me their favourite character was Black Canary I'd readily put this in their hands. In the context of the wider DC Zoom and Ink lines this certainly isn't the best but it wasn't bad either.
emkreads's review against another edition
4.0
so when I boight it I hadn't realized it was part of the DC universe lol, but I truly enjoyed this!
celtic_oracle's review
3.0
My expectations for this book were exceedingly low considering how little I liked [b:The Oracle Code|51135826|The Oracle Code|Marieke Nijkamp|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1562579293l/51135826._SX50_SY75_.jpg|71821778] and how little I liked the only Meg Cabot book I read. Still, I love Black Canary so I had to give this a read. I was pleasantly surprised. It remained true to much of the character (right down to Dinah Lance, Sr.), and still had a new, youthful vibe. I won't be adding this to my collection, but I'm not at all sorry I read it - and it gives me hope for Shadow of the Batgirl, which I still hope to read.
mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
This was pretty awesome. Even I, who only have like no knowledge on this character (other than recognising her name), enjoyed this story immensely. I loved seeing how Dinah found out about her powers and how people tried to help her out. I do feel it was a bit odd that she started blocking her friends from telling what is going on. Come on, they know about your power, they know a lot of things, no need to cut them off. Yes, it is dangerous, but at least they know what is going on. Now someone can still take advantage of them.
Who Bonfire was.. oh man that was a nice reveal. Maybe I would have known if I had known these characters more, but now I was surprised (and very delighted, this explained so so much!).
Art was quite pretty.
Who Bonfire was.. oh man that was a nice reveal. Maybe I would have known if I had known these characters more, but now I was surprised (and very delighted, this explained so so much!).
Art was quite pretty.
breakfastgrey's review against another edition
3.0
Like with a number of other graphic novels done by prose authors, this one takes a minute to find its feet, but it does eventually get there. There are a handful of truly cute scenes and McGee does a lot of heavy lifting on the art to sell them. The overall plot and characterization can be a bit too tidy/ breezy, but it's a fun read that I'll be recommending to some of my readers.
sirenkatarina's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
tessaf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
I think something about Meg Cabot's stories just doesn't work for me, but I had hoped maybe with a graphic novel...
jenlynnhill's review against another edition
2.0
This was just okay. I felt like the story was super rushed and I wished it was a little more fleshed out.