Bound To Stay Bound

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 Mister Miracle : the great escape
 Author: Johnson, Varian

 Publisher:  DC Comics (2022)

 Dewey: 741.5
 Classification: Nonfiction
 Physical Description: 197 p., col. ill., 23 cm

 BTSB No: 495347 ISBN: 9781779501257
 Ages: 14-18 Grades: 9-12

 Subjects:
 Graphic novels
 Self-realization -- Fiction
 Bildungsromans
 Love -- Fiction

Price: $13.93

Summary:
Scott Free, a student at the Goodness Academy on the planet Apokolips, wants to escape to Earth but falls in love with the head of the Female Furies--the one person tasked with ensuring he never escapes. In graphic novel format.

 Illustrator: Isles, Daniel

Reviews:
   Kirkus Reviews (02/15/22)
   Booklist (+) (01/01/22)

Full Text Reviews:

Booklist - 01/01/2022 *Starred Review* Best-selling author Johnson and artist Isles have done an excellent job reenvisioning Jack Kirby’s iconic Mister Miracle universe for today’s young readers. Some things are familiar: versions of such characters as Big Barda, Granny Goodness, Kalibak, and Himon are present and prominent; the setting, the planet of Apokolips, continues to be violent and oppressive; and the main character, Scott Free (aka Mister Miracle), is still determined to escape his troubled circumstances and create a better future. But Johnson and Isles’ Scott Free is a young Black student attending a repressive soldier-training school and plotting an escape to Earth, and the story includes several significant themes that will resonate with tween and teen readers. Bullying, class inequity, forbidden love, racism, coping with trauma, and what it means to be a true friend are thoughtfully woven into a plot that is built around a long-standing feature of the Mister Miracle universe—Scott Free and Big Barda’s tight friendship, relationship, and steadfast loyalty to each other. Overall, the inclusion of these issues; an action-packed, witty, and well-paced story set in a futuristic world; a diverse and compelling cast of characters; and illustrations combining elements of steampunk, futurism, and manga position this title well to continue DC Comics’ recent efforts to recast popular characters from their superhero universe in stories grounded in common teenage concerns. A great entry point for readers interested in superhero comics. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 03/11/2022 Gr 6 Up—Black student Scott Free has a knack for miraculous escapes—he's the only person who's ever lived through the onslaught of beasts in Granny Goodness's X-Pit. So can he manage to escape from the Goodness Academy and bring his companions along with him? With no memory of his parents or of life before he was left orphaned at the school, Scott projects confidence while internally struggling with self-doubt. What are the odds that he'll find a way to modify the surgically precise plans of the Black genius janitor (and secret scientist) Himon to not only bring Himon's sick granddaughter Bekka to Earth, but also manage to hide away his three roommates? His own scheming might go a little smoother if Granny Goodness's goons, the Furies, would give Scott some peace…or if he could squelch his overwhelming need to mouth off to the Furies's leader, Big Barda, whenever presented with the opportunity. The clock is ticking for the great escape; Bekka's health deteriorates by the day, making the situation increasingly urgent as Scott and his friends close in on graduation day, when they'll be automatically drafted into the army. Mister Miracle's origin story flows smoothly from panel to panel, bursting with expressive characters and a classic comic book vibe. The muted tones and crisp linework let Johnson's storytelling shine. The ending leaves plenty of room for adventures to continue. VERDICT A recommended first purchase.—Abby Bussen - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

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