Tag: superheroes

The Ultimate Superhero, Supervillain, and Superpower YA Reading List

This summer, many libraries are celebrating heroes as part of their summer reading theme, so I thought it was the perfect time to round up the wide array of young adult novels about superheroes. These books explore the moral ambiguities that come with superhuman abilities as well as the line between hero and villain, all with lots of action and adventure!

Superheroes, Supervillains and Superpowers in YA Fiction

 

I Am Princess X by Cherie Priest

May and her childhood best friend Libby created Princess X stories, with Libby drawing and May writing—until Libby died in a car accident. Now that she’s a teenager, Princess X is everywhere: she sees sticker, patches, graffiti inspired by the character, and there’s even a webcomic. Does this mean Libby might be alive?

Dangerous by Shannon Hale

Teens go to astronaut camp venture into space and develop superpowers, but still have time for a little romance. Continue reading The Ultimate Superhero, Supervillain, and Superpower YA Reading List

Cool Comics Picks (and Zombies!)

Afterlife with ArchieHello again, my dear Hubbers!  I’m back again for a round-up of my favorite new-ish comics to share with you!  Yes, I know, I was supposed to do a post on the newest topic in my SuperMOOC comics series, but to tell you the truth, I am super behind on my MOOC.  Who knew that this “Summer Reading” thing would take up so much of my time?  Ha!  So, instead, I’m happy to give you a list of a few of my new favorite titles that will definitely appeal to a whole gamut of comics readers.  From weird Guardians to zombies to our (well, my, I guess) favorite, Mr. Batman, himself, I hope that you’ll be excited to jump into the deep end of the comics pool.  Join me, won’t you?  As always, we start with Batman!

Batman, Volume 4:  Zero Year – Secret City by Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo & Danny Miki:  Zero Year is a fun place for both Batman fans and non-fans alike to jump into the current story line that Scott & Greg have created.  Zero Year is going way, way back to how poor little rich boy, Bruce Wayne, not only became Batman, but what that first year was like for him after he decided to don the cape and cowl.  A nefarious group calling themselves the Red Hood Gang have descended on Gotham, determined to take the city down, no matter what it takes.  They also wear these red cone like things on their heads – very amusing, if you ask me.  But they are deadly and will stop at nothing to bring the city to its knees.  However, one thing they didn’t count on was Batman – well, he isn’t known as Batman yet.  So, they weren’t counting on a guy in a suit that looks like a bat.  A fun and fast paced story that readers can jump right into and get hooked – and, trust me, they will get hooked.  Plus – bonus!  Early Edward Nygma, and we all know who he turns in to, right?  (It’s the Riddler, by the way!). Continue reading Cool Comics Picks (and Zombies!)

Awesome Superhero Ladies (…and some villains, too!)

photo by flickr user Andy Wetherill
photo by flickr user Andy Wetherill

Are you feeling kind of down in the dumps?  Not feeling like your normal, awesome, powerful self?  I know I’m not – this time of the year with night starting when it should still be day, I just don’t feel like I could confidently save the world, fight crime or even cause a little mischief to keep that pesky Batman on his toes.  What we need this time of the year are books that show us someone who’s willing to put in the long hours, patrolling the streets – someone who’s tough, smart, feisty – someone we can count on and look up to during those long dark nights.  Lucky for us fatigued readers of the world, there are a multitude of awesome comics that feature some seriously awesome superheroes (and villains) that will wake up your senses and inspire you.  How could you read these stories of some serious kick-butt action and not want to get back to be all that you can be in this hectic dark and cold winter season.  Let’s start with the ladies!  And don’t worry, gents…I’ll get back to you in a future post!

Wonder Woman:  Blood by Brian Azzarello & Cliff Chiang:  If you haven’t read Wonder Woman in a while, now’s the time to revisit the warrior princess, Diana.  With the reboot of DC’s entire universe, readers can start fresh with this first volume of Wonder Woman’s adventures on Earth and beyond.  When all the Gods of Olympus, and I mean everybody – Apollo, Hera, Hermes and more – set their sights on a child born to a mortal, Wonder Woman’s wondering, what’s up?  She needs to find out why this child has attracted so much attention while keeping the Gods at bay, and oh, yeah – there’s a three headed dog and some weird, huge octopus creature that she has to fight to keep the baby safe.  Plus, the big secret reveal at the end will get you wondering what other secrets the Gods are keeping.  (a 2013 Great Graphic Novels for Teens selection) Continue reading Awesome Superhero Ladies (…and some villains, too!)