Illustrator: Gabriel Picolo
Series: Teen Titans #1
Published by DC Ink on July 2, 2019
Genres: Graphic Novel, Superheroes, Young Adult
Pages: 192
Format: Paperback
Source: Giveaway/Won
When a tragic accident takes the life of 17-year-old Raven Roth's foster mom--and Raven's memory--she moves to New Orleans to recover and finish her senior year of high school.
Starting over isn't easy. Raven remembers everyday stuff like how to solve math equations and make pasta, but she can't remember her favorite song or who she was before the accident. And when impossible things start happening, Raven begins to think it might even be better not to know who she was before.
But as she grows closer to her new friends, her foster sister, Max, and Tommy Torres, a guy who accepts her for who she is now, Raven has to decide if she's ready to face what's buried in the past...and the darkness building inside her.
I loved Teen Titans growing up. In fact, it was my favorite superhero show because it featured a group that was closer to me in age. I still love superheroes, partly because of the nostalgia and partly because super heroes are about hope. Superheroes are about doing the right thing even when no one is looking and the odds are stacked against you. Superheroes remind us that there is something to believe in.
You can imagine then my joy when I learned that Teen Titans would be brought to us as a YA graphic novelβand that the first one would feature Raven. As an introverted child who found it hard to express myself, I could relate most with Raven growing up.
Kami Garcia takes artistic liberties with the Teen Titans’ universe, bringing Raven to modern-day New Orleans and introducing new characters. While I love the animated world of my childhood, I found the changes to be refreshing and interesting. It’s also easier to take because comics have a precedence of introducing alternate worlds and because I knew the premise going in (thanks to the synopsis and various author interviews).
Following the accident that takes her foster mother’s life and Raven’s memory, Raven moves in with her “foster aunt,” who’s pushing to adopt her, and her foster aunt’s daughter Max. Raven’s struggle to figure out her identity is further complicated by the strange things happening around her, such as her ability to hear other peoples’ thoughts and the way things she wishes to happen become reality. Teens and young adults will be relate to Raven’s internal conflicts and her external conflicts as she navigates high school life and first love.
Family plays a large role in the story. Max is very involved in helping Raven with her memory loss, her newfound abilities (as far as we know because of the memory loss), and her budding romance with the other new kid at school. Her foster mother/aunt is just as supportive. Both Max and Max’s mother are present when Raven’s supernatural situation gets out of hand. (YES for active family involvement!!!) I appreciate how we also get insight into Raven’s birth parents and how multiple elements of her past are interwoven into the present story.
If there’s anything I would have liked more of, it would be color. For the most part, the colors used are gray and purple. That said, the purple is shown to be representative of Raven, and any additional colors are used to draw our attention to important elements, such as the introduction of a key character or to highlight Raven’s emotions, which play a vital role to the story. In addition, the graphic novel is short, under 200 pages, which means that Raven’s world isn’t as rounded out as I would have liked. We don’t see much of her life outside of scenes that contribute to the main plot. Given the brevity of the story, however, I appreciate how tightly the plot is woven.
Overall, this serves as a solid introduction to Raven’s character. This first book in the Teen Titans series is about the family we make and the discovery of one’s self, how it’s not dependent on the past but on what we make of ourselves in the present. I look forward to seeing what Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo bring us next in Beast Boy’s story! Personally, I’m hoping to see a team up between Beast Boy and Raven by the story’s end.
Preview the Graphic Novel
The following trailer from DC presents an audio synopsis alongside of images from the graphic novel.
Content
- Kissing
- Foster care, (foster) parent’s death in a car accident that causes Raven to lose her memory
- Memory loss, hearing a voice in her head
- Lesbian couple, a (suggested) homophobic reaction (the lesbian ladies respond)
- Raven uses her powers to hurt others (to be fair, she doesn’t know about her abilities), such as View Spoiler ».
- Tarot card reading, rituals to speak to the dead, calling upon the spirits of dead ancestors to join a fight; View Spoiler ».
Series: Sailor Moon: Eternal Edition #1
Published by Kodansha Comics on September 11, 2018
Genres: Manga, Shojo, Superheroes
Pages: 276
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased
The guardians in sailor suits return in this definitive edition of the greatest magical girl manga of all time! Featuring an extra-large size, premium paper, and an all-new translation and cover illustrations by creator Naoko Takeuchi!
Teenager Usagi is not the best athlete, she's never gotten good grades, and, well, she's a bit of a crybaby. But when she meets a talking cat, she begins a journey that will teach her she has a well of great strength just beneath the surface and the heart to inspire and stand up for her friends as Sailor Moon! Experience the Sailor Moon manga as never before in these extra-long editions (about 300 pages each).
This first volume from the Sailor Moon: Eternal Edition series features the first seven chapters of the manga, which introduce the original five Sailor Guardians, the search for Princess Serenity and the Mystical Silver Crystal, and the fight against Queen Beryl.
I love stories that feature a squad because of the range of personalities. Each Sailor Guardian has her unique personality and appeal to readers. One of my best friends relates to Sailor Jupiter while I’ve always been more drawn to Sailor Mercury and Sailor Mars. Mercury for her introverted and studious nature; Mars for her stubborn nature (in the anime) and stronger asian features.
Another element I love is the relationship dynamics. The Sailor Guardians are involved in each other’s lives, not only on the battlefield but in their everyday life. They continue to be a strong presence in Usagi’s life after she falls in love. (Note: you might know Usagi better as Serena, her name in the original English adaptations). Sailor Moon is one of the series I’ve found to have a good balance between romance and friendship. Both are portrayed prominently in her life, yet neither overshadows the other. Furthermore, while mysterious and darkly charming as Tuxedo Mask, Mamoru is sweet and protective of Usagi / Sailor Moon while simultaneously shown to be an admirer of her courage and heroic feats. (Note: he also admires her other traits. See my favorite quotes from volume 2 below.)
Usagi herself is kind and loyal. While she’s not always thoughtful of the situation or others’ feelings, her heart is in the right place. It’s easy to see how she takes on the duties of Sailor Moon despite her initial fears and reservations. Furthermore, her friends do not hesitate to chastise her as needed, and Usagi is quick to admit when she’s in the wrong and to correct her mistakes.
Personal reflections: It has been interesting to reread Sailor Moon as an adult. When I was younger, Usagi’s childish nature was frustrating to me. It didn’t help that the original anime adds more drama for T.V. entertainment purposes. Now that I’m older, I’m better able to appreciate Usagi’s better nature, both in the manga and in the original T.V. adaptation, which I’m rewatching through Hulu. And even to appreciate how she can both a crybaby and brave individual, a normal girl and a hero, a girl in love and a good friend.
Thoughts on the Visuals and the Eternal Edition
I’ve heard that the translation is more true to the original. (Which I can’t personally verify as I don’t speak or read Japanese.) The back of the book provides an explanation of some of the translation choices as well as words/phrases that aren’t as easily translated into English, such as puns, elements of Japanese culture, and words that don’t have an exact English equivalent. The visuals are gorgeous and make me so happy. I love how Naoko Takeuchi makes use of space and chooses her moments to highlight through visuals. Beautiful color illustrations are placed in between chapters, and the original color illustrations of pages within certain chapters are also included. The large size of the eternal edition is easy to read, though the paperback is heavy and hard to hold with small hands. A hard cover would have been more sturdy, but this is a small complaint. I’m happy to have a larger size of this manga with such good paper quality!
Content
- Kissing
- Some violence
Published by Kodansha Comics on May 29, 2018
Genres: Manga, Shojo, Superheroes
Pages: 276
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased
The guardians in sailor suits return in this definitive edition of the greatest magical girl manga of all time! Featuring an extra-large size, premium paper, and an all-new translation and cover illustrations by creator Naoko Takeuchi!
Teenager Usagi is not the best athlete, she's never gotten good grades, and, well, she's a bit of a crybaby. But when she meets a talking cat, she begins a journey that will teach her she has a well of great strength just beneath the surface and the heart to inspire and stand up for her friends as Sailor Moon! Experience the Sailor Moon manga as never before in these extra-long editions (about 300 pages each).
I’m adding my review of volume 2 to this post because: (1) it’s short, (2) it wraps up this first arc, and (3) it rounds out my review of volume 1.
This second volume in the Sailor Moon: Eternal Edition series covers chapters 8-14 of the manga, from the entrance of Sailor V to the Sailor Guardians’ victory over Queen Metalia. Events of note include the revealing of the past lives of the Sailor Senshi and everyone involved (Tuxedo Mask, his guards, and the villains), and the star-crossed romance that crosses space and time. The last pages of this volume introduce mini Usagi, whose entrance heralds in the second arc.
Sailor Moon: Eternal Edition, vol. 2 continues to showcase what I love about this series. Usagi is both a normal girl in love and a brave crime fighter. While she can be a bit of a ditz, she has her moments of brilliance, which are especially prevalent when she’s out there fighting evil, and she has a big heart. I appreciate how she’s not always the one doing the saving; she has moments when she feels powerless and yearns for Tuxedo Mask’s support, and she also has a strong support system from the other Sailor Guardians. As with volume one, neither takes away from the one. Both Tuxedo Mask and her girl friends are a strong presence in her life. And just as Sailor Moon gets saved by her romantic interest and her friends, she herself saves Mamoru (Tuxedo Mask), her friends, and the world. She doesn’t let others carry all of the responsibility.
Sailor Moon has many elements that I love in a good story: from star-crossed love and pretty outfits to magic and danger to school life and a quest to save the world. Most importantly, it is about a normal girl who desires a normal life but who steps up to fight for justice when called upon. Through her story, Usagi reminds us about the girl behind the superhero “mask” and reminds us that we don’t have to sacrifice one for the other.
Favorite Quotes
Note: These quotes are much more powerful and poignant set against the visuals.
Sailor Moon! Today, you’ve shown me just how strong you are. Every time we meet, I see a new side of you.
Tuxedo Mask, 44-45
Tuxedo Mask’s broken pocket watch…it’s starting to move backwards. It’s going farther and farther back in time. Ticking away the memories of the past. A tragic past.”
Sailor Moon, 58-59
Remember, you have us! We are here to help you, Usagi-chan! We’ll help you save him. I promise!
Minako Aino / Sailor Venus, 96
We will cross through time, and be reborn. And this time we will find happiness.
Sailor Moon, 244
Content
Chat With Me
π What are your thoughts on superhero stories?
π Who are your favorite superheroes?
π Female role models?
Cee Arr says
Hell yeah superheroes are about hope! Spot on assessment! π <3
Crystal says
Thanks π
Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight says
How awesome to have one of your favorite shows from growing up turned into a GN! I’m glad it was good. I can understand wanting more color, but it sounds like an interesting choice. Glad you loved the Sailor Moon ones π
Crystal says
Yes, it was a lot of fun to read Kami Garcia interpretation of Raven’s story and to see how Gabriel Picolo brings the world and characters to life through his art! Sailor Moon is fantastic π
Grace Louise says
Lovely post Hun your reviews are always so detailed! Have a lovely week π
Grace Louise || http://www.gracelouiseofficial.blogspot.co.uk/
Crystal says
Thanks so much, Grace. I hope you have a lovely week as well!
Melliane says
Oh I loved Sailor Moon so much, I have 2 very old ones at home
Crystal says
Sailor Moon is fantastic! β€οΈ