Dear DC Super-Villains (Family Comic Friday)

After a lengthy hiatus due to the pandemic, Family Comic Friday is back!

My local library is where I get my hands on the latest all-ages releases. Thanks to COVID, the reading center was closed. Finally, that exile appears over and I'm back to reviewing family favorite graphic novels and more!

I've been looking forward to Dear DC Super-Villains ever since I read Dear DC Super-Heroes. I really felt after I completed the good guys book that a baddie version would be a natural sequel. However, I don't think the format works well with the enemies.

The premise of this series is that kids would write their favorite- or in this case- least favorite heavy hitters of the DC Universe with an assortment of questions. Michael Northrop (Rotten) again is the author of these dispatches. But it just doesn't seem like the right fit having super-villains corresponding with children. At least in this terse political environment...

Another thing that seemed off was a running story of how the Legion of Super-Villains is in chaos with leader Lex Luthor in jail. Gorilla Grodd really wants to be the new leader but nobody seems to want to take orders from an ape! This volume also ties in with a prison break and a run in with the heroes of the Justice League. In all, things in this read felt uneven.

Some segments were rather funny. I especially loved the banter between Catwoman and Batman. And Northrop's Harley Quinn was just perfect. Luthor too! But why is Katana a part of this? She's not a villain? Has she turned sides recently and I'm just not aware?

I enjoyed the whimsical artwork by Gustavo Duarte (Bizarro). He's just a fun artist to experience. I hope the kiddies like him too!

I'm not over with the Dear DC series. I think if they go back to the heroes with a book three, things could return to normal. Maybe a spooky edition with the members of Justice League Dark or a collection of letters to some of the most bizarre characters in the DC Universe like Adam Strange, Lobo and The Creeper. Or why not both!?

This was an enjoyable read that families will love. This sequel just didn't have all of the magic of the original. I guess that's sequels for you!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Dear Justice League (Family Comic Friday)

Family Comic Friday is thrilled to present to you a graphic novel that has been on top of our wish list ever since it was first announced earlier this year! Have you ever wondered why Green Lantern always wears green? Or if Superman has ever had a bad day? Now those important questions can finally be answered in the pages of DC Zoom’s Dear Justice League!

Dear Justice League
Written by Michael Northrop
Illustrated by Gustavo Duarte
Published by DC Zoom
Pages: 176
Retail: $9.99

I love the concept of someone answering fan mail and the responses have hilarious effects. David Letterman and Jimmy Fallon have perfected these viewer mail bits over the past 30 years. That’s why when DC Comics announced its first wave line-up of young reader titles earlier this year, I immediately zeroed in on this graphic novel.

All of your favorite characters answer emails from their most loyal young fans. In the midst of doing so, the Justice League will uncover an alien invasion, bond with their super-pet mascots and maybe attend a birthday party or two.

Dear Justice League was smartly written by Michael Northtrop (Tombquest series). The questions from the kids are so sincere that I wonder if Northtrop got his inspiration from actual child fans of the Justice League.

My favorite aspect of this book was the artwork! I’m a big fan of Gustavo Duarte, ever since I was introduced to him in the pages of the hilarious miniseries, 2016’s Bizarro! Duarte illustrates his characters beautifully. It’s very cartoony and yet very classic looking and clean. Plus, his characters have such lively expressions to the extent that you don’t need words to understand what is going on. But it helps

One added treat to Dear Justice League was a preview to 2020’s Dear Super-Villians. In this follow-up, Harley Quinn, The Joker and more of your favorite DC Comics baddies will be answering their own batch of fan mail. I can’t wait for next Fall!

Dear Justice League was a lot of fun. Full of laughs and great illustrations, this is a book that is recommended for readers 7-10. But almost all ages of readers should get some sort of enjoyment out of this great graphic novel from DC’s amazing Zoom imprint!

Dear Justice League debuted in print and digital formats on August 6, 2019.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.