This was an action packed fun introduction to Black Canary. I loved the art style and the fast moving story. I really liked that you didn't need any background on the hero to enjoy it. I also like that the main character is in junior high, making it appealing for younger readers as well. I thought it was very well done and hope there is another installment.

While I greatly enjoyed the feminist message Meg Cabot was imparting on young readers, Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass does it so much better. Sorry DC Zoom, you're a little too middle grade for my tastes; I'll be sticking to DC Ink.

If you are not familiar, Meg Cabot is best known for the Princess Diaries series, and they are hilarious. I highly recommend them. Additionally, I highly recommend Black Canary. The author does a wonderful job beginning the story of Black Canary and the character is real, and funny, and even though it is a superhero story, it is very relatable to the teen experience.

Dinah is a loud-mouthed teen who just wants to save the world, little does she know she is about to get her wish. This story shows the frustration of being a teen that is different but also ok with that. Dinah is a great main character and the story here is interesting and full of action. There was a bunch of girl empowerment and I loved that aspect and know that younger readers will as well. For being the Black Canary, the illustration was surprising vibrant and bright in color and imagery, but it all fit well with the story. This such a wonderful read all around.

Black Canary is still a songbird, but this update discusses her teen years and is a great pairing of graphic novel and Meg Cabot.

The book offers an empowering message, is fun for girls, and showcases Black Canary's new origin.

I loved this book. The story was great and the graphics were gorgeous.

Black Canary is a superhero who doesn't get enough attention. All of the attention tends to be focused on the Superman/Batman world. While Black Canary exists in the same universe (the Joker is referenced several times in this book) those characters exist on the periphery. Dinah is able to establish herself as a hero of her own merits, to explore her powers without comparing to other heroes. And her powers are unique, sonic disruption through the power of her voice. This is not a perfect book. Characters get only a minimal amount of development and the plot can be a bit scattered. Still, it's a fun introduction to a character who deserves more attntion.

In theory, I like the concept behind this middle grade backstory for Black Canary: a girl finding the power of her voice after being told she is too loud and pushing back against overprotective parents to make a difference in the world. In practice, Dinah comes off as kind of whiney and very impulsive to the detriment of everyone around her. To be fair, she's at an age where that isn't uncommon, but I would have liked to see her exhibit some growth in those areas through the course of the story, and we really don't. It made me more annoyed than anything else, but I imagine this might appeal to some young teen girls struggling to gain more independence. I, unfortunately, wasn't really a fan. I did really like her mom as a character and would read a book about her!

Meg Cabot leads another charge in connecting DC Comics with young adult readers. As someone devoted to literacy and teaching, this book is another entry in a series that makes me want even more.

I love this story so much. Yes, it's a middle grade graphic novel, but it is better than most adult ones. The characters are interesting, there is great character development, and the plot is fun. The art style is beautiful too. I can't wait to read what Meg Cabot & Cara McGee come up with next. Highly recommend this read, especially if you like graphic novels and DC comics.

Bestselling author Meg Cabot (The Princess Diaries) offers up her first graphic novel via DC Zoom, telling the story of thirteen-year student Dinah Lance whose interests are as diverse as winning the battle of the bands contest at school and following her Gotham City cop father into the business of taking down bad guys. Dinah's dad forbids the latter and - based on Dinah's voice - even seriously questions her playing in the all-girl band with her best friends. But when Dinah finds her voice - her true voice, which can shatter glass and bend steel and short out electricity - she soon discovers a legacy and power she never knew she had; one that could potentially set her long-term career goal of being a crime fighter into motion, even as the young girl finds herself in trouble at school when she finds herself unable to control her talent ... and is stalked by a figure in black with ties to her mother and "the family secret". This origin story for Black Canary, well-illustrated (if a little "cartoon-y" for me) by the super-talented Cara McGee, paints a realistic portrait of a typical thirteen-year-old full of drama and big dreams and bullheaded determination. Dinah is likable, funny, loyal to her friends - even funny, in her initial reaction to having what she thinks is the most boring superpower ever. The relationship with Dinah and her friends feels right as well, and especially good is the bond between Dinah and her mother, the original Black Canary who ultimately will or will not "pass the mantle" down to her daughter. But while I enjoyed Black Canary: Ignite and it's characters, plot and art, the book always felt very "DC Lite" for me; I never felt bonded with any of the characters on a level that drew me fully into the story. And having had that very experience in a number of graphic novels, this was just the tiniest bit of a letdown for me. 3.5/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

A fun story with great art, a great heroine (or two...), good characters, and relationships.
I adored Dinah Lance as the Black Canary, her friends Kat & Vee, and how this book was refreshingly new with the DC superhero and storyline that some of us may have heard before and some of us (like me) are completely new to!
Although this was wrote for Middle Grade, it was still interesting and held my (adult) attention.!
I LOVE the art style so a huge shoutout to Cara Mcgee!
This is definitely one I can see girls and boys loving of all ages.
A quick, fun, read that's adorable, strong, interesting, funny, fun, and Super.!

Thank you netgalley for this arc. All opinions and thoughts are my own. I managed to get this one before it’s release date tomorrow (Oct. 29th). I loved it and Miette (my 10 year old) saw me reading it and wanted to as well. Cara McGee’s illustrations are what my dreams are made of if I dreamed in comic drawings. The story is short, sweet and to the point.

This was really great and super cute! The story was a bit cliche and cringe-y with who wound up being the villain in the end, but in a cute way. I thought this was a great Black Canary story for younger readers and I really loved the artwork and Dinah's parents and her friends and everything about this cute story <3

**Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.**

"Black Canary: Ignite" was absolutely adorable and fun. Meg Cabot wrote a relatable 13-year-old Dinah Lance who just wants to sing and finds out she has a much more interesting family history. Cara McGee's art is beautiful, as well, and fits the vibe of the story and its characters.

This is a fun origin story of sorts (she gets her powers from her mom, but she discovers them here). I enjoyed the relationship between Dinah's parents and the teenagery way she responds to them. The villain is fairly low-key. It's not a deep story, and it doesn't have a lot of character development, but it is a lot of fun (super powers, a rock band, family and friend interactions) with great art. Middle grade readers are going to love this one

I received an advanced copy of Black Canary: Ignite through NetGalley and DC Comics so that I could share my review with you!

Black Canary: Ignite is the latest addition to DC Comic’s middle grade graphic novel series, and it is an absolutely fantastic addition to the franchise! The story follows Dinah Lance who just wants to make it through junior high, and maybe win her school’s Battle of the Bands while she’s at it! Things become complicated, though, as mysterious disasters keep occurring where ever Dinah goes. After one destroyed piece of property too many, it becomes apparent that Dinah is no ordinary girl! But being a superhero comes with dangers, and Dinah seems to have inherited some enemies along with her powers.

Meg Cabot has created a fresh new take on Black Canary, which is absolutely perfect for young people looking to start reading comics! I have long been a fan of Black Canary in her many iterations, and I must say Cabot’s rendition stood up to my expectations! Cara McGee’s Illustrations are charming and fit the tone of the story perfectly!

You can now get your copy of Black Canary: Ignite from DC Comics!

My Recommendation-
I would recommend this book both to long time Black Canary fans and to young readers just starting their exploration of comics and graphic novels. The story is a quick read, and will be perfect for children with shorter attention spans, or people who like speedy action in their reads!

Stellar illustrations match the vocal potential of the young Dinah, who seems to be getting into trouble at lot at school- every time she seems to get excited, defensive, or scared, her voice unleashes a sonic boom. Her best friends know something is up but can't explain it, the middle school principal won't get off her back, and her parents are acting strange. In the city of Gotham it wouldn't be too odd if it turned out that Dinah was gifted in more than the academic sense, right? In what is sure to be (hopefully) just the first installment, we're introduced to the Black Canary and her powers, and the evil that presides over GC. Very fun, looking forward to more.

I remember reading Meg Cabot’s Mediator series when I was a teenager. Well, I don’t remember them, but I know I read them! Haha. Anyway, when I saw this graphic novel from Cabot, I just had to try it.

It was a quick, fun graphic read. Dinah just wants to be a regular girl. Play with her band, join the junior police academy. But when she discovers she has superpowers, and someone starts to get in her way, she has to learn to navigate this new part of her life, while trying to hang onto her old life and friends.

The art in the book was fantastic. The story was also pretty good. Really short, but I liked the quick pace of it, and I liked seeing Dinah grow into herself and discover what she can do.

If you like graphic novels and superheroes, check this one out!

Thank you to Netgalley and DC Zoom for an e-arc to review!

I think that this is my favorite of the Young Adult DC Graphic Novels. It does a good job of putting Black Canary in high school. It's fun, and light without being too sweet. I think Meg Cabot is a great writer who knows how to write for that age group and it shows with this book.

Plot

Dinah Lance is (not just) an ordinary girl who wants to win the battle of the bands and join the GCPD junior squad. But weird things start happening around her—glass keeps breaking around her, and a strange woman shows up asking for Black Canary.

This short graphic novel is fast-paced and fun. The transitions between chapters are easy to follow, and the ending is very satisfying.

Characters

I loved seeing Dinah as a junior high student! She has so much to think about—whether she wants to join the cheer team or chorus, how to convince her dad to let her be a junior cop, and how to be a good friend. When she discovers her Canary Cry, things get more complicated. Suddenly she has to hide her new powers from her friends, and a lot of other things go wrong. I loved seeing her grow, loved seeing her handle all of the challenges. She's a very strong heroine, one that I think a lot of kids can look up to.

Both of Dinah's parents are present in this story! That, and they're so aware of what Dinah is going through. Dinah has some issues with her dad, but their love for each other shines through.

I also loved Dinah's friends Vee and Kat. They're so supportive of her, and they have their own personalities that compliments Dinah's.

Art

The art in this book is so much fun! The colors are bold and bright with sharp edges. For those familiar with the DC Ink line, which includes a very monochromatic palette with one accent color (which I like a lot!), this is the exact opposite.

The style of art feels very much like manga at times (big, excited heart eyes, lots of expressions) and it really helped bring out the humor in the book. The character's styles are also so unique, but simple. It would be so easy to get a Black Canary costume together ;)

Overall

This book was such a fun ride! I enjoyed every minute of it, and I really hope Cabot and McGee collaborate again on future Black Canary volumes!

I am slowly learning more and more about the DC Universe and the various characters in it. I had heard of Black Canary before, but didn't know much about her, so when I saw this being offered on NetGalley, I hit "request" and crossed my fingers! I am very thankful I was granted it and was able to expand my knowledge of this character.

I like that there are graphic novels coming out that are geared towards middle readers and up, with strong female protagonists who aren't dressing in gravity-defying ways. This book had strong female friendship in it AND a happy family life with both parents. Usually the MC is an orphan or missing a parent, so it's nice to have both parents in the picture AND happy together.

It was kind of weird to me that an adult bad guy was going after the child of her adult nemesis, but I guess bad guys don't care how old you are. That's what makes them bad. So it did make a dark sort of sense.

All in all, I really enjoyed this and thought it was cute. I will definitely recommend it to customers in our store. 3.5 stars, rounded up for the female friendship, the happy family and the tasteful costume.

My thanks to NetGalley and DC Entertainment/DC Zoom for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.