Nubia: Real One

by L. L. McKinney, Robyn Smith (Illustrator)

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Though Nubia is Amazonian, the world won’t accept her as a hero in the same way they do Wonder Woman. But when the opportunity arises to save her best friend, Nubia jumps at the chance to prove she is worthy. This fresh graphic novel reimagining of DC Comics’ first Black woman superhero story is heartfelt and beautiful with vibrant illustrations that leap off the pages.

Can you be a hero...if society doesn't see you as a person?

Nubia has always been a little bit...different. As a baby she showcased Amazonian-like strength by pushing over a tree to rescue her neighbor's cat. But despite her having similar abilities, the world has no problem telling her that she's no Wonder Woman. And even if she were, they wouldn't want her. Every time she comes to the rescue, she's reminded of how people see her: as a threat. Her moms do their best to keep her safe, but Nubia can't deny the fire within her, even if she's a little awkward about it sometimes. Even if it means people assume the worst.

When Nubia's best friend, Quisha, is threatened by a boy who thinks he owns the town, Nubia will risk it all--her safety, her home, and her crush on that cute kid in English class--to become the hero society tells her she isn't.

From the witty and powerful voice behind A Blade So Black, and with endearing and expressive art by Robyn Smith, comes a vital story for today about equality, identity, and kicking it with your squad.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781401296407
Publisher:	DC Comics
Publication date:	02/23/2021
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	32,401
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

L. L. McKinney is an advocate for equality and inclusion in publishing, and the creator of the hashtag #WhatWoCWritersHear. Elle's also a gamer, Blerd, and adamant Hei Hei stan, living in Kansas. Her works include the Nightmare-Verse books, starting with the A Blade So Black trilogy, the upcoming Black Widow: Bad Blood as presented by Serialbox; Splintered Magic of the Mirror novels from Disney; and the Jane Eyre reimagining Escaping Mr. Rochester.

Robyn Smith is a Jamaican cartoonist, currently based in New York City. She has an MFA from the Center for Cartoon Studies and has worked on comics for the Seven Days newspaper, CollegeHumor, and the Nib. She's best known for her minicomic The Saddest Angriest Black Girl in Town and for illustrating Jamila Rowser's comic Wash Day. Besides comics she spends most her time watching American sitcoms and holding on to dreams of returning home, to the ocean.

Editorial Reviews

★ 02/15/2021

DC’s first Black woman superhero gets a refresh in McKinney’s (A Blade So Black) graphic novel debut, wherein Nubia Johnson, a Black 17-year-old, struggles with a secret: superhuman strength and speed. Under the watchful eyes of her mothers, Nubia attempts to traverse high school without revealing herself. But when her crush, Oscar, is threatened by a robber, Nubia knows she can’t stand by and watch. In one of the more frustratingly realistic scenes, a white store clerk assumes Nubia is the robber, and a cop handcuffs her. As Nubia tries to determine whether she can ever live a regular life as a Black superpowered teen, her mother calls an old friend to reveal the explosive truth of Nubia’s origin. Now Nubia must choose between relocating and laying low, or potentially exposing her powers and navigating a hero’s responsibilities in a society that views Black and brown teens as dangerous. Smith’s illustrations are colored in warm shades of pink and orange, balanced by cool shades of purple and blue; the artwork is detail-specific, down to Nubia’s above-average height and her long natural hair. Nubia’s humorous awkwardness will resonate as readers marvel at her strength and sense of duty in a world that fails to protect her. Ages 14–up. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

★ 03/01/2021

Gr 8 Up—The world may laud white superheroes like Wonder Woman, but 17-year-old Nubia knows it's different for Black girls like her. For her whole life, her moms have struggled to keep her safe—and to conceal her super strength and speed; even Black girls without superpowers are vulnerable in a world of systemic racism and misogyny, and paradoxically, Nubia's abilities could make her a target. But during a convenience store robbery, Nubia inadvertently reveals her superpowers while protecting a friend. She soon learns that she's the twin sister of Wonder Woman and discovers the strength to stand up against systemic racism in her town and to the increasingly violent bigotry of a school bully. A good friend with a kind and open heart, McKinney's Nubia is a delightful take on a character long considered to be DC's first Black female superhero. Her desire to combat injustice, combined with her longing for the typical teen experience, makes her the perfect 21st-century counterpart to Wonder Woman. Readers will appreciate the story's mix of adventure and reflection, as well as the list of crisis resources at the book's conclusion. Smith's illustrations in pleasingly saturated sunset pastels set the mood for Nubia's escapades, with charming and modern character designs that still put readers in mind of classic Wonder Woman stylings. VERDICT A thrilling, timely, and thoroughly engaging full-length debut for a classic comic hero. No superhero collection is complete without Nubia.—Darla Salva Cruz, Suffolk Cooperative Lib. Syst., Bellport, NY

School Library Journal

★ 2021-01-26
Wonder Woman’s teen sister comes to life.

Instantly relatable 17-year-old Nubia is, in many ways, like any other teen girl—she stresses about what to say to her crush, sneaks out to parties, and wonders what type of woman she’ll grow up to be. But at the same time, Nubia has giant shoes to fill. Possessing powers she doesn’t quite understand and being a Black girl in a racist world compound to put an immense amount of pressure on her. Though she can stop a robbery without breaking a sweat, Nubia must also deal with racism and misogyny, evils that are no less insidious than your average supervillain. In the past, many have seen her race and special powers and assumed she’s a threat, so she attempts to keep her abilities secret even while injustices of all kinds flourish in her community; but Nubia’s caring heart propels her to do good in the world. Believable teen dialogue and sincerely funny scenes balance out the more serious themes, resulting in an origin story that is equal parts poignant and witty. Nubia’s support system of parents and friends is especially heartening, a balm against the bleak reality of oppression that she must contend with daily. The minimalist illustration style draws the eye, and warm pinks, purples, and yellows bathe every page in tender hues.

An essential superhero story for this moment. (resources) (Graphic fiction. 13-18)

Kirkus Reviews