brittmariasbooks's Reviews (1.45k)

This was a very original way to tell a story. I wonder if it was told chronological because I don't think so. This is also something a hadn't seen before. There is a short blues song in here and the voice actress really songs it which was fun. Most of the time in audio books the voice actors do not sing what should have been sung.

This is a fun short read. If you like short romantic stories than I would recommend this book to you.

A beautiful picture book about the myth of the Selkie or seal folk. The illustrations are beautiful to look at and I think children will love to learn about this myth since I did as well.

Okay, I'm really nostalgic to last year!
Mike and Bryan drew the last panels together!!
I miss my babes but luckily I'll see them soon in the comics!!!

2.5 stars

Kong Kenan is a bully, who doesn’t mind to use his strength on smaller kids. When the kid Kenan is bullying gets attacked by BLUE CONDOR he heroically stupidly throws his freshly stolen soda can at one of China’s infamous supervillains. This action leads to media attention but also the attention of Dr Omen, who presents Kenan an opportunity to give him the powers to match his heroic heart. And so the origin story of the NEW SUPER-MAN begins.

My previous encounters with Gene Luen Yang’s work were in the AVATAR THE LAST AIRBENDER comics. Since I am a huge fan of ATLA, I enjoyed those comics mostly because of nostalgia. Although I do have some problems with those comics, I do not mind them as much because I love the characters and the world of Avatar so much.

I always am a big supporter of diverse characters and stories. Thus, the combination of Yang as the writer and a Chinese Super-Man had intrigued me. It was the reason why I requested the NETGALLEY. However, after having read the first volume, I feel a bit disappointed. Although I do see a big possibility for a lot of character growth and I hope that is the way in which Kenan is headed.

From this point on there will be SPOILERS for the first volume of NEW SUPER-MAN VOLUME 1: MADE IN CHINA.

Spoiler

First of all, I feel like it might not have been to try to copy paste the Justice League idea to China. I will have to mention that the only superhero comics I have read before were Kamala Khan’s Ms Marvel volumes 1-4 and the Young Justice TV show tie-ins. I understand that it is probably hard to come up with ideas for new (diverse) superheroes but in this volume, Kenan is trying to be someone who he isn’t. However, I do feel like it could be so much better if new, authentic Chinese superheroes were created who would teach the readers about Chinese culture along the way ala Rick Riordan.
However, on first sight, I really thought that Wonder Woman and Bat-Man looked very cool. I just think it is too bad they are just copies. I would love to see Chinese superheroes with their own backstories and lore.

That brings me to my second problem: Kenan’s personality. He is very cocky and arrogant with daddy issues which reminded me a lot of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Tony Stark. Especially, when Kenan revealed his secret identity. I do know there was a small character arc in Kenan realising how stupid it was to reveal his identity, I did not feel that he had learned a lot. Since this is only the first volume, I am okay with this because if he would have learned all the values Super-Man and JLA stood for that would have been a very rushed story.

The first plot twist, I saw that one coming from miles away. However, the other one I did not. So I was pleasantly surprised with that. Furthermore, I feel like there were some “origin stories clichés” like the father who is dying but he has time to say his last words.

“Okay” is also my overall feeling about this volume. It didn’t blow me away with new things. I don’t feel a learned a lot about Chinese culture like I would have liked to when I picked this volume up. I am not sure if I would recommend this volume just like it is. Maybe when the second volume is released, maybe it would be nicer to read them back to back and get a more in-depth read. However, since the second volume won’t be out for a while, I would say pick up another volume and wait until the next volume is out to get a more (hopefully) complete story.

Reread 2019: Voor een vak moest ik Anne Frank's dagboek weer lezen dus dit was een fijne (en snelle) manier om het opnieuw te lezen. De illustraties blijven super gaaf en Anne's verhaal wordt er niet minder indrukwekkend op.

Als je niet door Anne Frank's dagboek kon komen, probeer deze versie! Het is aangrijpend en sommige panels zijn super gaaf (Mijn favoriet is die van D-Day).
Ik kon hier veel makkelijker door heen komen dan het boek zelf maar dit stripboek is geen volledige adaptatie en ik vind dat het dagboek en dit stripboek goed naast elkaar staan en op elkaar kunnen bouwen.
Ik vind het in ieder geval belangrijk dat Anne's dagboek op welke manier dan ook gelezen blijft worden.

Fluffles: The Brave Koala Who Survived a Bushfire follows a koala called Fluffles during the 2020 bushfires in Australia. The illustrations are beautiful even though the story is sad. But it does have a happy ending! Furthermore, in the back more information is giving about the situation of koalas in Australia and how you can help them (hint: www.savethekoala.com)

I enjoyed reading about Fluffles heroism and how hugs made them feel better.