Anti/Hero, an original DC graphic novel aimed at young readers, is a real treat. This story touches very lightly on the Batman universe, but only in passing. It’s a very well crafted and executed original take on two 13-year-old girls whose lives become intertwined.
Written by Kate Karyus Quinn (Another Little Piece, Not Hungry, others) and Demitria Lunetta (Bad Blood, Fire, and Flood, others), the story involves one young girl who is a self-proclaimed superhero and another who has strong math and technical abilities. Piper and Sloane, basically sworn school rivals, have little time for each other and zero respect either. Until, of course, circumstances bring them together to help their families. Forced to cooperate with each other, they need to work together to overcome evil! There is a lot of playful exaggeration in Anti/Hero, reminding us of old Looney Tunes Bugs Bunny antics!
Maca Gil, in Madrid Spain, (2018 Cleo & Cuquin (TV Series) storyboards, more) draws incredibly fluid and gestural characters, making this a top visual book. Her expressions and ability to capture and convey physical and emotional subtleties are really wonderful. Panel by panel, the well-paced story and the kinetic drawings (with Sam Lofti, and with Sarah Stern on colours (Lumberjanes, Rick and Morty)) pull us into this entertaining tale.
There are plenty of twists in plot, turnarounds of character, topsy-turvy moments here to enjoy. I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this book, and highly recommend it!
DC, Anti/Hero Graphic Novel, $9.99 for 160 pages of content, Young readers
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