Nubia: Real One
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- $17.99
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- $17.99
Publisher Description
Nubia has always been a little bit...different. As a baby she showcased Amazon-like strength by pushing over a tree to rescue her neighbor’s cat. But despite her having similar abilities, the world has no problem telling her that she’s no Wonder Woman. And even if she were, they wouldn’t want her. Every time she comes to the rescue, she’s reminded of how people see her: as a threat. Her moms do their best to keep her safe, but Nubia can’t deny the fire within her, even if she’s a little awkward about it sometimes. Even if it means people assume the worst. When Nubia’s best friend, Quisha, is threatened by a boy who thinks he owns the town, Nubia will risk it all-her safety, her home, and her crush on that cute kid in English class-to become the hero society tells her she isn’t. From the witty and powerful voice behind A Blade So Black, and with endearing and expressive art by Robyn Smith, comes a vital story for today about equality, identity, and kicking it with your squad.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
DC's first Black woman superhero gets a refresh in McKinney's (A Blade So Black) graphic novel debut, wherein Nubia Johnson, a Black 17-year-old, struggles with a secret: superhuman strength and speed. Under the watchful eyes of her mothers, Nubia attempts to traverse high school without revealing herself. But when her crush, Oscar, is threatened by a robber, Nubia knows she can't stand by and watch. In one of the more frustratingly realistic scenes, a white store clerk assumes Nubia is the robber, and a cop handcuffs her. As Nubia tries to determine whether she can ever live a regular life as a Black superpowered teen, her mother calls an old friend to reveal the explosive truth of Nubia's origin. Now Nubia must choose between relocating and laying low, or potentially exposing her powers and navigating a hero's responsibilities in a society that views Black and brown teens as dangerous. Smith's illustrations are colored in warm shades of pink and orange, balanced by cool shades of purple and blue; the artwork is detail-specific, down to Nubia's above-average height and her long natural hair. Nubia's humorous awkwardness will resonate as readers marvel at her strength and sense of duty in a world that fails to protect her. Ages 14–up.
