This was my first time reading a DC comic - I've always been more of a Marvel fan, but I've been wanting to branch out a little. I don't know a lot about DC's world building and characters, but this was a really accessible comic.

The comic was initially focused on Nubia's day-to-day life, and it especially delves into how difficult it is for Nubia as a Black superhero: where her white counterparts are praised for saving the day, she ends up in handcuffs. It's a story very clearly set in 2020, dealing with gun violence, police brutality and BLM protests, showing the reality of what it's like to be Black in America. And showing very clearly how dystopian the current reality is.

Unfortunately I wasn't the biggest fan of the art work. It's just not a style that appeals to me very much.

CWs: police brutality, school shooting, armed robbery, gun violence, racism, blood

NUBIA!! I have been waiting to read this amazing story! A phenomenal story about identity, equality and friendship. Nubia struggles to be herself, when so many in the world are against her. Along with learning about her true identity, she still balances school, party and relationships. I like the incorporation of the Black Lives Matter movement, police brutality and issues with consent; great way for teens to open discussions about heavy topics. Definitely a great addition to high school classroom libraries.

I absolutely loved this graphic novel! Firstly, the art style was perfect, and the use of colors to depict tone was great. It was vibrant, which really matched this narrative. The story line is great overall. I though it touched upon topics of current events, toxic masculinity, and identity. The intersectional representation (BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, etc) within the story was effortless and existed seamlessly within the story.
There was a lot that went on in the story, all events that impact many teens today, especially marginalized teens. It was great that the story unpacked these events, although sometimes it felt rushed in some areas, making the pacing a bit weird.
I wish there was more to the story. Not in a negative way (the story works well as is), but I wanted more of flashbacks/ early life, ect. It was just so beautifully crafted, and I hope there are going to be more in this series following these characters!

Before I start this review I really want to say: PLEASE HEED THE CONTENT WARNINGS. There's some things in here that are tough to swallow, but they're all handled fantastically. I really loved Nubia: Real One. I loved the art style and how utterly feminine the color palettes were. I loved Nubia's struggles and her personal fashion style. I loved the trio and how they interacted, how easy the language and conversations around them were to read. And most of all, I loved seeing a Black girl on the cover of a superhero novel made for teens. There's a lot of tough material in here to read about, and I can understand why some people may feel like it's too much, but if you can healthily read all the way through it is well worth it. This book tackles so many things that unfortunately, a lot of teens today have to deal with like police brutality, sexual assault, gun violence and inherent racism. The balance between Nubia's confidence and fears, her passion and anxiety, is so teenager and awkward that it's easy to remember Nubia is still a kid having to deal with very adult problems.

It's beautiful and heart breaking and uplifting and so, so well written and drawn. McKinney's voice with Nubia is absolutely wonderful. This book has the power to spark change.

I hope Nubia gets to be a series, because I will absolutely eat up anything McKinney and Smith throw down.

As a white reviewer, I loved this graphic novel. I also understand it's very painful and can cause a lot of traumatic feelings in others, especially BIPOC readers, in ways that I have and never will experience. So please prioritize especially Black reviewers when looking into this book.

McKinney's NUBIA is a welcome addition to the growing list of books that better reflect our multi-faceted lives. Touching on anti-Black racism, toxic masculinity, chosen family, and teenage mental health, fans of strong storytelling won't be disappointed.

I ended up not finishing this graphic novel. One part is because I was not enjoying the art style that it was drawn in. I could have pushed pass that for story though. However, this story was not what I hoped for, or what I feel, as a Black reader/teacher/writer is needed. So many stories are written about police brutality and Black Lives Matter. While these are important topics, I truly wish that the Black and Brown students that I teach had more of an offering of books about Black Joy. This is one of the few Black superheroes to get a story pushed to mainstream media beyond comic books and it could have been wonderful. But having this one story being the same bleak world portrayal that we always get, and that other superhero stories don't have to suffer through, seems like a great waste. I would have loved seeing Nubia being the amazing character she is, living a normal teenage life, without having to have the bleak realities of the world darken everything.

I had no idea that Wonder Woman had a twin sister! Absolutely wonderful book. Strong story, strong art & super strong heroine. I hope this becomes a series - I’d love to read more!

<i>Thanks to NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.</i>

Seriously, pre-order Nubia. It belongs in every public and school library. So much story packed into these pages, and the art is the perfect complement. And the more I think about how amazing this story is, the more I want to read more Nubia. But Nubia written by L.L. McKinney. Her writing is perfection.

NUBIA IS EVERYTHING!!!!!! The plot. Characterizations. Stakes. Voice. I loved it all. This story inspired me so much that I did more research on Nubia, and I didn't know she existed. I actually love Nubia way more than Diana. Hollywood NEEDS to make a Nubia movie. Wow. So much powerful messages in these pages. COME ON HOLLYWOOD!

Thank you to Netgalley and DC Entertainment for a digital arc of this graphic novel.

Nubia has grown up moving from town to town to avoid other's noticing her superpowers. As a Black girl, her and her moms know she would not be treated the way a superhero should be treated if she was revealed. When Nubia accidentally exposes herself once again, she has to make a choice--hide her true identity and leave her life here, or become the superhero she was always meant to be!

Meanwhile, her best friend is organizing a peaceful protest against the murder of a young Black person by police, and Nubia has to make a big choice...

This book was amazing from start to finish. It immediately gripped me with the fast-paced storyline, funny and real dialogue, and gorgeous illustrations. The messages throughout this book are completely necessary to today's world (and yesterday's) and it teaches a lot of important things. I'm so glad this book was made.

Please be careful before picking up this book, and read the content warnings, as it deals with very heavy and traumatic topics.

Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Violence, Racism, Racial slurs, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Homophobia, and Sexism
school shootings, protesting, robbery

Amazing all around! This is seriously great. I love all of the characters, and I was enthralled throughout all of it. It’s hard to hide who you are from society, and Nubia and her moms have made several moves to keep her identity and superpowers a secret. When there’s a boy who threatens her friend, Nubia knows she has to step up. Glorious read. For fans of Wonder Woman and books like The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.

Absolutely amazing. This graphic novel tells Nubia's origin story as well as her coming of age. It touches on real issues surrounding racism, transphobia, and domestic violence. Heros are those who fight for the marginalized and thone who are too afraid to fight for themselves. This should become a collectible item.

Wonder Woman has a little sister?!? I'm there! I had the pleasure of hearing L.L. McKinney speak during a virtual conference and I couldn't wait to read Nubia: Real One. A powerful story about race and identity and being true to yourself. Excellent artwork to match the excellent story!

Content warning: racism, police brutality/discrimination, attempted sexual assault, school shooting

I absolutely loved Nubia as a character. She was strong in more ways than just her superpowers. I think her fight to become a good citizen/friend/person is something that could resonate with a lot of readers. With so many of the topics described in this comic book the are on the news these days, this story could be a good starting point on how young (and older) readers can stand up and fight for causes black Americans have been fighting for so long. In addition to Nubia, I also adored her moms. You could feel their love for Nubia just power through the words and art. They gave great advice to Nubia that a lot of people can use in their own lives, not just secret superheroes. Nubia's friends and love interest were also a joy.

I loved the use of pink and purple palettes throughout the book. It showed LL McKiney and Robyn Smith weren't afraid of having a female superhero as their protagonist. I also enjoyed seeing how much diversity there was in the comic book. There wasn't just racial diversity, but also lots of different types of body types and skin tones. I felt like both KcKiney and Smith wanted to showcase all the ways that people can be different but also be part of the comic book genre. I also enjoyed the small details that truly tied this story together like the matching PJs of the moms and the incredible outfits everyone wore (shout out to Quisha and Oscar;s outfits).

Nubia is a regular teenage girl except she has a secret: she has superpowers. Her moms have Nubia keep them a secret because they are afraid for her. Black people are never the heroes. Nubia wrestles with who she is, who she wants to be, and who she thinks she should be. She stands up against racists and other bullies. Along the way, she finds out one of her moms is an Amazon, and she was given to her moms to raise after being kidnapped as a baby. She is actually Wonder Woman's twin sister! Nubia has to decide whether to embrace her Amazon side or just try to be a normal teenager. She faces the ultimate test when a bully goes after one of her best friends. Who will she be?