Supergirl: Being Super by Mariko Tamaki and Joelle Jones was indeed superb.
I have to admit, I may be biased. I think that everything that Mariko Tamaki writes, whether for young adults or older individuals, is chef's kiss.
I've read quite a few of DC's Graphic Novels for Young Adults, and this one easily finds its place in my top three.
What's the story about? Like most of DC's Young Adults Graphic Novels, it tries to tell an original, more modern origin story of a superhero, here Supergirl. Kara Danvers landed on Earth in a bizarre spaceship, got adopted by the loving Danvers, and tries to learn what it means to be herself.
Kara thought that she is magic. Her father wisely explains:
"There's no magic kid. There's power. Which you have. And responsability".
As soon as I read those lines, I feared the worst.
Kara is a teenager in a small town; she has two cool friends and wonders where she comes from. Why does she have weird dreams? Why does she have all these powers? Will she have to hide her true self forever?
On top of that, she needs to learn how to navigate the loss of someone she loves. You may think that I have spoiled you, but I haven't; trust me.
I did enjoy this graphic novel for its metaphorical play, whether it's Kara's story or the contrast of warm and cold colors throughout the whole story. What you interpret in that is up to you.
Here's a quote that will hopefully leave you wanting to know more:
"I've never been sick before. I don't think anyone in my family has ever been sick. Partly because my dad doesn't believe in it"
Pretty powerful if you ask me. And that is what Supergirl: Being Super is about. Being powerful and staying powerful.
Enjoy hopefully!
