I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for giving me an ARC of this book.

When a meteor shower dubbed as “The Event” gives Quinton West the gift of not getting hurt, he isn’t sure how he can use his powers when all he believes he is good at is being a punching bag. Finding support and guidance in a local mentor, Glow, Quin realises that he can use his powers to help the community. However he soon realises that being a new super hero means having new super villains. Through his strengths he begins creating new devices to assist him in the battle against evil.

I normally don’t read comic/ graphic novels but I was drawn to the story and themes within Quincredible. We see Quin go on a journey of self-discovery as he explores his new found powers and identity amongst the superhero world. The community of New Orleans in which Quin is raised grapples with two huge disasters, leaving them with high rates of crime and institutionalised racism. The superheroes are seen as another form of harassment in this community, with many not trusting their work. As Quin navigates through these issues in the world around him, he learns that different forms of power can be useful in their own way.

The drawings in the comic were absolutely stunning and I often found myself lingering on pages a little longer as I took in the vivid illustrations. The action sequences were aesthetically pleasing and added to overall feel of the story. I look forward to reading volume 2 in Quin’s journey.

This comic didn't quite hit the spot. I liked Quin and the New Orleans setting, but never felt very invested. The villain felt lackluster - in general, I wish the characters' motives and the details on the class war had been fleshed out a bit more. I think the other superheros sounded interesting, but we didn't see much of them. (Although it looks like there are already several volumes released focusing on the other characters, so maybe I would have enjoyed this one more if I was familiar with the universe.) The action didn't really get going until the end, which is potentially just a first-volume thing. I would be curious to see if this series continues and where the story would go from here.

Loved reading it, it’s an graphic novel in super hero style 🙌🏻
One meteorite shower and the rest of your life is gonna change.... or not 😬

Funny, recognizable in struggles .

Go. Read it 💕

Quest to be better,Quincredible, a good tagline and a better comic book story. I could feel the frustration and pain of the character and it was projected very well. Good graphics, good story line, well formed characters, this had me impressed.
I hope to see more of this "superhero"

**I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

Quincredible was a fun and definitely enjoyable read. Quin finds himself living in New Orleans after Katrina and a meteor that gives him and others enhanced abilities. What I enjoyed most was watching Quin grow into his abilities and struggle with how to do good in a world where it seems like everything has consequences.

The art style and comic book feeling is definitely what will appeal to my library patrons. They love a good hero story and the idea of trying to make a city a better place for those who don't have the mobility as a wealthier class is a great premise. I know that my readers will enjoy this and now I know that there will be more.

I received this as an eARC to read for free in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for giving me access.

I loved how this gave a POC the spotlight and superpowers. Granted, Quin's powers are invincibility, it's still pretty awesome. It sorta fits what is going on in the world today.

Great read and I look forward to more.

I received an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Heartfelt, inspiring and hard hitting. Quincredible is sure to sweep you off your feet!

Growing up, I could name on one hand the superheroes who looked like me and members of my family. Partly due to the lack of resources where I grew up, but also, because there just aren't enough. Quincredible gives young, black, graphic novel enthusiast's something to look forward to. I loved it and couldn't put it down.

🌿BOOK REVIEW🌿

Quincredible by Rodney Barnes

🌼🌼🌼/5

Quin is a 14 year old boy that doesn’t feel like he belongs anywhere. He only enjoys spending time with his parents or working on his defence system. After two disasters hit his city he doesn’t realise the true impact that the meteor shower had on him. He is now invincible!!

Quin decides he wants to use his new super power for good but isn’t sure how to go about that. He comes to term with the systemic racism that has resulted in his city having the problems that it has. He wants to reduce the crime rate but realises that only results in more disadvantaged black men being sent to prison so he has to find another way...

This is a great comic that illustrates the results of institutionalised racism and how difficult it is to break the cycle. A heavy topic is told through a fun superhero story!

I would say I wish it had been slightly longer as the last two chapters did feel slightly rushed and I wanted to understand how the characters got into the situation that they did.

Apart from that it was a great, quick read!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with the ARC of this awesome comic!

I was looking for a change of pace in my reading options and this was a nice choice. I've always enjoyed superhero and Quin was an interesting one. He was given the power of invulnerability, which is an unexpected power!

I appreciated the art style and the POC cast. Given our current political climate, this fits right in. I think this is a solid first start but I think the plot was underdeveloped as were the villains. I would've liked more development but I'm also holding judgement since this is the first book. He reminds me of a young Peter Parker/Miles of Spider-Man and because of that similarity, the story doesn't feel too different than other superhero stories. Overall, the story was pleasant and easy to follow.

I'm actually not very knowledgeable about the Catalyst Prime superhero shared universe that Lion Forge/Oni Press have going on because the couple of books I've read from it focused too much on blaming big corporations for everything bad in the world and it felt a bit preachy.
But I really enjoyed the teenager's perspective on the effects that Supers have on communities and what drives violence and crime. And I like the twist that Quin might be invulnerable, but that doesn't mean that he doesn't feel things or that it makes him invincible. He's almost just a normal kid wanting to do better by his community.
Would have liked to get some more insight or background into the reasoning behind the big bad, but I understand that it's a split between keeping things under wraps for future volumes and just the way things happen in the Catalyst Prime universe.
It's still very much a book about social justice and the unfair system that puts people in horrible positions, but the slightly lighter and more hopeful POV make it feel a little less like the message is being shoved in your face.

Thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for the chance to read and review!

So this graphic novel has a regular character who is introduced as and addressed as "Big Baby", it is one of the only things that I can think about when looking back at the story.

Overall this was fine, I didn't particularly like our main character, his 'why am I friend zoned' storyline/personality was boring and overdone. The villain is underdeveloped and unoriginal. There was a conversation/social commentary on the police and the prison system in the USA, but it didn't really merge with the story for me.

I can’t wait for the next volume! This comic was a rollercoaster ride in the best way possible. It was written wonderfully, the dialogue believable, and the ART STYLE! It was so pleasing to look at. Would definitely recommend.

Quin is such a relatable teenager and invincibility doesn't take that reliability factor away from him.

I love how this first volume gives us a hero who knows he is supposed to be a hero but isn't quite sure yet on how to go about it. That along with being a teenager who doesn't feel like he fits in anywhere but alone or with his family makes me smile. It reminded me of being Quin's age again and feeling those exact feelings of loneliness but not really knowing how to go about making myself feel less so.

Mostly this volume reminded me of why representation is so important. Static Shock was the only Black superhero, who was close to my age, growing up and this volume brought me right back to watching the "Static Shock" cartoon and my first forays into reading comics.

The art itself is simple to follow, which I think is such an underrated aspect of this story. We not only get to see Quin but his community, family and school. All of which play into his experiences. There were multiple times where I had to put the comic down because I was so impressed with how well the story conveyed itself through the art. My favourite moment being when Quin's dad describes his experiences as a soldier for the US army in the Middle East.

There were a few moments of pause in this comic that had me scratching my head like Quin's interest in Brittany and Dr. Davis' monologues at some points. But overall this was a strong introduction into the origins of Quinredible and I look forward to reading more.

If I'd remembered Lion Forge and Oni had merged, I probably wouldn't even have bothered grabbing this from Netgalley, Catalyst Prime being very much the 'we've got superheroes at home' of shared universes. And yes, there's some very generic superhero origin material here – like the studious hero inwardly musing ""I'd way rather suck at trig than at life. Can things get any tougher?" as the girl he likes leaves to see her jock boyfriend. But there are other bits with more life and character to them, as one would expect from Rodney Barnes, whose brief Falcon run and then Killadelphia were what drew me to check this out in the first place. And as one would expect from those, this finds an interesting vantage point on the current debate about law enforcement in the US, pointing out the obvious problems with a black kid putting on a mask and using his powers to stop other black kids committing crimes, and then expecting to get a positive reception either from the police or his community – while at the same time resisting the temptation to go full ACAB, even if it does also feature sympathetic characters who do take that line. The lead's quandary is one I've seen hinted at with supporting characters before, not least in JMS' Rising Stars – how useful is it to have invulnerability if you don't have superstrength or any other abilities to back it up? – but still has room to be explored in a lead. Most of all, though, it was little details I liked, such as the look of Quin's dad. After all, it's easy to talk about representation in comics, but if all that means is that characters can have any colour of smooth, unmarked skin (or else be scarred as a plot point, obviously, like Doom and Deadpool), then it feels pretty, well, skin-deep. To have someone who doesn't fit that template, without it ever being presented as remotely an issue or their defining trait, that feels like a small but worthwhile thing to have done, and I like that. Not enough to make this a must-read – it's obvious from the first issue to anyone who's read a superhero comic before that we shouldn't trust the community organiser; and there are far too many guest appearances from other characters I neither know nor care about which can threaten to drown out the lead. But sufficient thought has been put into nice little tweaks to make me think of it more fondly, and continue to be interested in what Barnes (and now the art team too) does next.

This was actually a pretty good superhero comic. It was action packed and had awesome graphics.
I would have loved for it to dig deeper into the story and world building, but as it's only the first volume I expect things to get better.
I would put Quinn up there in my cards next to Danny from Dreadnought in terms of ground breaking superheroes. I love to see the "I just got my powers and I have no idea what to do". It make the story so much more organic and realistic, while maybe we would like to think that if we got superpowers tomorrow we will become Superman right away, the reality is that getting superhuman abilities is a very messy business and this comic does a great job at showing it.

** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Copy received through Netgalley

~

Quincredible, Vol. 1: Quest to Be the Best
Rodney Barnes, Selina Espiritu, Kelly Fitzpatrick
★★★★★
144 Pages
Themes: BLM, bullying, supers, politics, self-discovery


Quincredible is a brilliant, clever comic that is desperately relevant and necessary for 2020. With a strong message of hope and power, it puts a young, black, loner geek centre-stage.

The story is part adventure, part self-discovery and part self-belief. It has a good balance of strength, hope, danger and adventure, promoting an open mind and reminding kids that there is a balance between good and bad, that the world is full of shades of gray and people aren't always what they seem.

I haven't read the “shared universe” this book belongs in, but I don't think I need to. Though there are a host of superheroes introduced, Quin explored how that came about well enough that I don't feel like I'm missing anything.

What I really loved was the message about people and society, in general. Yes, there were hugely relevant and important references to BLM, to police action and important instances in American history, such as Katrina and the politics of white vs black, cops vs black. But the story was deeper than one single issue, and more than the sum of its parts. It's a perfect message for kids, wrapped up in a superhero adventure.

Quin is a brave kid, despite having no friends, bullies, and a super power. He's got a girl he wants to impress, but he's discovering lines he's not willing to cross, even in Volume 1. Don't be woke for the sake of it. Don't blindly follow, if you know it's wrong. Some freedom fighters will follow the crowd to whatever end, never stopping to think of whether it's right. Some people – even those we trust, and people in power/authority – have an agenda. But it also shows that people have a breaking point, and when pushed, people can snap. Not all bad guys are evil, but can be misguided and feeling helpless when all other avenues have failed.

I can't wait for the next volume.

~

Favourite Panel

<img src="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/b3/2d/e4/b32de41e5d95bda85b0e0d9baedee5a3.jpg" width="450" height="150" alt="description"/>

Title- Quincredible: Quest to be the Best (Vol. 1)
Written by: Rodney Barnes
Illustration: Selina Espiritu
Publisher: Oni Press
Genre: Graphic Novel
Rating: 4.7/5 stars

Have You ever thought what you are gonna do if someday you discover that you have superpowers? It would be confusing! right?

Yes, I was utterly confusing for Quin too,who lives in New Orleans with his parents and he is a die hard fan of superheroes. He don't have any friends and most of time he gets punched by the bullies in school. He prefers to live in his own world of dreams and has a huge crush on a girl from his school, Brittany Barnes but unfortunately he never gatthers the courage to ask her out.

The story beings at the time when the New Orleans is in a state of utter mayhem. A few months back the city witnessed hurricane Katrina followed by the meteor shower which devastated the lives of the people. But for a few individuals it brings the gift of supernatural powers. As these new superheroes takes the responsibility of protecting their city, the tension between the police and the superheroes raises. Besides, there are protests going on in the city against the goverment and the decisions they have taken so far incontroling the destruction. In one such event, while chased by the police, Quin discovers he is invulnerable.

As Quin explors his superpowers, thinking about how Brittany will be super impressed , he is unaware of the fact that a great danger is gradually approaching towards the city. A danger which can wipe the very existence of his beloved city from the map of the world.

Will Quin be able to save his city from the impending danger?
To know that you have go through the work.

Review: The first thing that I absolutely loved about the work is the way it connects with the readers. With the mastery of his narration, Rodney Barnes has presented the story of Quin in such a way that it instantly makes the reader interested to explore the story. Rodney has done a commendable job in creating an air of suspense throughout the story.

As far as the character construction is concerned it is absolutely fantastic. Whether it is the character of Quin, with his doubts and childlike inquisitive nature, or his father, who has played a major role in helping Quin find a purpose in life, or the character of the villain, everyone is created with utmost care and attention.

Another thing I love the most about this work is the way the author has merged the tension of the outside situation with the protagonist's inner conflict, which makes him mature and finally Quin evolves from an innocent teenager to a superhero.

Selina Espiritu has done an equally commendable job. The thing I loved the most is her attention to details.The way she has illustrated the events, it almost felt like I was witnessing Quin in his quest to protect the city through my mind's eye. The scenes are vivid and picturesque and provides an amazing reading experience.

Overall, it was an amazing read. I give this work 4.7 stars and recommend everyone to give it a try.

Happy Reading

Thank you NetGalley for an Advanced copy of this Graphic Novel. Amazing take on a modern superhero story. It deals with a lot of issues that are very current in our country while also setting up a great fictional storyline as well. The characters And their character arcs were great and I can’t wait to read more about them. I definitely enjoyed this story and will definitely recommend it to others.

I don't know anything about this superhero universe, so perhaps that's why this volume had very little impact on me. It was an interesting enough concept - a bullied high school kid is hit by a meteor blast and gains the superpower of invulnerability, which he doesn't see as particularly useful until he's persuaded to use his powers to help protect his city by another superhero, who essentially becomes his mentor, along with a group of other "Enhanced". Quin was a likeable main character, and there were certainly a few funny lines. I also really liked the artwork, which was bright, sharp, and eye-catching, and there were some really stunning full-page spreads.

However, generally, I felt like there wasn't really much that stood out about this graphic novel. While important issues such as racism, poverty, and police brutality are all touched upon, the story doesn't really delve too deep into them, and it ends with quite a positive, wrapped-up-with-a-bow ending (although this is only volume 1, so I don't know whether any of the later volumes get any deeper). The plot itself is quite generic and predictable. As mentioned, considering the diversity of the characters and the themes it touches on, I think it really had potential to go deeper, which would have made it more interesting, but instead we have a story that I don't think makes a particularly huge impact.

If you're looking for something quick and easy to read and you like the look of the art, definitely go for it and pick this up, but I don't think this offered enough for me to rate it anything higher than 3 stars.

(Side note: I feel like I have to make mention of the hijabi "side character" - "side character" in very heavy quote marks because she's literally only present on a few pages and doesn't speak at all. While I appreciate even the mere existence of a hijabi superhero, it was a bit weird how she's wearing a headscarf but is also drawn wearing a figure-hugging suit...)

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This comic wasn't just about how to be or become a superhero but about what pushes and intrigues you in order to use your power. Quin is a young boy who was witnessing what was happening in his community and the people's struggle after a catastrophe and that's what made him want to make a change .
It's not just about being called a hero because that's not the most important thing of the job, it's being selfless and fighting for what is right, working hard to change the wrongs even when it looks impossible. The villains have also powers but they decide to take the wrong side because they are selfish and greedy.

I loved Quin's personality, he is a good son and could be the coolest friend you could have. He is his own self and even when he is bullied by the others, he remains true to himself and his principles. Quin could be an inspiration to many young adults.
Doing and being like the others would never make you exceptional but following your own path and beliefs that's what could make people looking at you as a person of exception.

I enjoyed reading this comic and it seemed too short for me. We meet Quin in this volume, a young adult who discovers that he has powers, so from there starts his first adventures with the group of the enhanced heroes.
I hope that he will find another girl to crush on because I didn't like Britt.