I was going to review three of these new DC graphic novels for younger readers together. However, each one is so different that they each need their own review.
Diana: Princess of the Amazons is a decent story with a good lesson and lots of girl power. It is the story of how a princess called Diana starts to learn about becoming Wonder Woman. It is for ages 7 to 10. And, while boys could read, I do think that it is aimed more at girls of that age range.
Authors Shannon Hale and Dean Hale show us 11-year-old Princess Diana, the only child on Paradise Island. We find out how she was born and the fact she has a lot of aunties who keep an eye on her, but who are also always busy to play. Especially her mother, the queen of the Amazons. It is not until Diana is given some imperfect clay, uses her imagination and (more than a little magic, not from her we learn) creates a new friend. But this friend might not be all that friendly.
We learn how we view “imperfections” and how we view being a “true” (fill in the blank) but here, Amazon. We see how we tend to get involved with our own things and might neglect other areas. The lessons are ageless, but the tone is young. Everything is surface and accessible.
Victoria Ying’s illustrations are bold. Sometimes too bold and bright. There is a cartoony and obvious graphic novel look to the book. The story flows as if it was a second or third grade book, so this does not take away from anything, but it can be overpowering. And while I enjoyed this, out of the superhero books I have read, this one was my least favorite (so far). I am curious to see how kids respond to it.
