GRAPHIC NOVEL WEEK
It’s not surprising that I’ve missed out on nearly all the Kick-Ass graphic novel/comic series since I haven’t been very good about staying current with my graphic novel reading (so many books, so little time!) and it was seeing John Romita, Jr’s name on this book that had me request an ARC. And I’m really glad I did.
Patience Lee is a military vet, just back from the war in the Middle East to find that her no-good husband has run off with his nearly-teen girlfriend leave Patience to suddenly be mother to their kids again while trying to provide for the family as well. Her intentions are good, but she finds that she can never quite make it and it’s the children who have to keep doing without.
It occurs to her that there are plenty of bad men in town – drug dealers and the like – and that with her cool combat skills, she could probably take a few of them out and relieve them of their criminal cash. This works pretty well and Patience is determined not to get greedy, taking only what she needs to make ends meet, giving the rest of the cash to local charity.
But ends don’t stay met for long and she knows she can help the city by taking down some of these bad men. But she’s only one person and no matter how good her military-trained skills are, sheer numbers will do her in. And to make it worse, she personally knows one of the men at work.
This is a pretty simple origin/vigilante story. It’s Robin Hood all dressed up for modern day. It’s pretty violent and graphic so if you don’t like seeing bloody and beaten figures in your graphic novels then you probably wouldn’t like this.
I enjoyed this book. I felt much more connected with Patience (despite the fact that I’m a white male who’s never been in the military) and I attribute this connection to Mark Millar’s talent making a story relevant and Romita’s art that engages the reader.
Looking for a good book? Kick-Ass, The New Girl: Book One is a good, modern super-hero (with no super powers) graphic novel and worth reading.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.
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Kick-Ass, The New Girl: Vol. 1
author: Mark Millar
artist: John Romita, Jr.
publisher: Image Comics
ISBN: 1534308326
paperback, 160 pages
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