"Barda" is another release of DC's young adult imprint. Taken from Jack Kirby's sprawling Fourth World, this is a stand alone graphic novel that follows Big Barda as she longs for a world that could be more than survival of the fittest. Ngozi Ukazu of "Check Please!" renown both writes and illustrates the story, and her familiarity with longing gazes and romance is fitting when Barda initially fantasizes about flirt fighting with her enemy, Prince Orion, in a first crush that seems natural for someone who only knows violence. When she is introduced to Scott Free that her real emotions get to grow and develop for the prisoner she is tasked with torturing, and this is actually the part where I wished the fast pace of the graphic novel would slow a little for more time with them. Ukazu frames the chapters with stories from a fairy tale that is from a forbidden book, which works well to direct where things are going. And there is a particularly well thought out sequence where Granny Goodness constricts Scott into a box as they talk about Barda's conviction to torturing him, where his diminishment into the white space continues as Granny explains Barda's purpose, and Scott's presence suddenly filling the page mirrors Barda's rekindled compassion as she cries for Granny not to kill him.

So it's not Ukazu's lack of artistic experience, but I still found her art style to be a mismatch with the story. Darkseid's world is unrelentingly grim and despair filled, so the lighter palate and cartoony style felt somewhat at odds with the tone. There are some cases where it may be intentional, as it allows something as unpleasant as a friend being tortured by dancing herself to death to be displayed in a way that isn't viscerally disturbing. However, it does feel like Ukazu's writing is being held back by the art. Fans of "Check Please!" may find the subject matter drastically different. On its own merits, it is a great coming of age story that is focused on the redeeming power of love and a dystopian backdrop that many YA fans would like, but may need some guidance finding.

I am a newcomer to the Darkseid/Apokolips cannon and the characters that populate that world, but I am definitely intrigued and will be reading more!

Ngozi Ukazu's distinct artistic style brings Barda and the horrific world of Apokolips to life! The characters are vibrantly rendered. The Furies are a little sisterhood of tortured psychos, and I want to learn more about their backgrounds. Granny Goodness creeps me out, she is absolute, pure evil. Barda is that character who's redemption is something you can get behind and root for.

I will be purchasing for my HS library & recommending to my students looking for super hero stories.

#NetGalley #Barda

We do speak of love on Apokolips. Barda has been raised with only pain and punishment, never love, or understanding, or hope. Even as she fights under the cruel hand of Granny Goodness and Darkseid, Barda still sees beauty and secretly wishes to feel love. A gripping graphic novel, I hope there is a second one!
Thank you to NetGalley and DC Comics for this DRC.
#Barda #NetGalley

A look at the events that shaped Big Barda. Lots that I liked, especially Barda thinking what she experienced with Orion was love because she hadn't ever had a similar interaction. I didn't loooove the art, it was a weird attempt at softening the classic Kirby look that didn't really work for me.

Is this a new hero story? I don't know if I've ever heard of Barda or this universe before!! I really liked it though. The art style is a bit too cutesy for a murder planet imo, but I feel like it still was enjoyable.