REVIEW: Dear Justice League

Dear Justice League is here and I may have mentioned this a few times already, but I had been waiting eagerly for this ever since I heard it was happening. What I loved about the idea, was not only the joyfully playful artwork, but the concept. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to interview the writer of the book – Michael Northrop, who is LOVELY! We talked about where the ideas came from, what it was like to team up with Gustavo Duarte (artist), why this book is important, and what we can expect from the sequel – Dear Super-Villains.

First of all the cover perfectly captures the whole concept and tone of the book. Gustavo Duarte does an incredible job of capturing emotions and facial expressions with his artwork. The vibrancy of the colours and style of artwork just draws you in. If this does it do me as an adult, I can only imagine how endearing it is to youngsters (it’s intend target audience).

Like I said before, I love the concept. The book is based around children asking their favourite superheroes for advice. What I love about this, is that some of the fan letters/questions are quite light-hearted and rather quite funny, but some can link to real problem or worries that children might actually have. Children need that guidance, and who better to get it from than their favourite superheroes?

For the children in the story, and also the readers, the book does a great job of breaking down barriers between them an their heroes such as Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman. It really shows that the most powerful and strongest heroes also have their problems. It shows them to be more humanised, and y’know ordinary and I think that is a great way to inspire and motivate youngsters.

The book also has something that I didn’t expect, an underlying story theme which really helps the flow of the book. To be honest, I was expecting a montage of letters and experiences, I wasn’t expecting a story. Although it is a simplistic one it brings the league together – it breaks it down well and makes the book more digestible, which I think the younger readers really need.

The pace of the book is really great, it’s nice and simple to read and also to follow. Again, perfect for the target audience, because the chapters are quite short, it will be sure to keep the youngers engaged throughout. I also love the fact that it doesn’t just focus on the core characters of The Justice League and offers children that introduction to heroes they might not necessarily know about.

The book is broken down with short chapters and incredible artwork. Now I’m not saying that Duarte’s artwork is childish (not at all), but it really fits with the tone of the book, and it really adds that extra explanation and entertainment to the story. Like I said before, Gustavo really has nailed the art of facial expressions and body language within his art style, and I really love that.

Overall, the book is great, I really loved it, so I can only imagine that kids will love it even more. It’s not often that we get a book like this for the younger audience, I think it’s a great way to get them involved in comics and to get them involved in superheroes. I can genuinely say that when I have children, this will be a book that I will introduce them too – although it may not be any time soon! Michael Northrop & Gustavo Duarte have really knocked it out of the part here, and I cannot wait for the sequel to come out in 2020 – Dear Super-Villains! You can see a preview of the sequel at the back of the book!

You can order your copy now! US: https://amzn.to/2GOfOlB UK: https://amzn.to/2YDNzwc