Nubia: Real One
By Michael Berry,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Wonder Woman's Black twin fights injustice in urgent tale.
Add your rating
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this book.
Where to Read
Community Reviews
Based on 1 parent review
What's the Story?
As NUBIA: REAL ONE opens, Wonder Woman's teen Black twin sister (?!!) stops an armed robbery at a convenience store by throwing an ATM machine at the gunman. Her loss of control might have serious consequences for her and her two moms, and Nubia is worried about having to move and lose her friends, Quisha and Jason. She also has a growing crush on schoolmate Oscar. When a peaceful protest turns violent and a teen gunman later threatens a school, can Nubia remain on the sidelines?
Is It Any Good?
Comic books often reflect the times in which they're produced, and this tale of an Amazonian teen feels ripped from the headlines of 2020 and 2021. Crime, police brutality, civil unrest, school gun violence, racial injustice -- they're all part of the coming-of-age saga concocted by writer L.L. McKinney and artist Robyn Smith. Nubia: Real One tackles these issues and many others with sensitivity, urgency, and wit. It presents a main character who, despite her superpowers, is confused, anxious, brave, and rebellious. The supporting cast is diverse and well-defined. If the book has a weakness, it may be that the villain of the piece is something of a cliché, his dialogue too on-the-nose and familiar. Nevertheless, Nubia: Real One offers action, suspense, family drama, and high school melodrama in a package likely to appeal to longtime Wonder Woman fans and new readers alike.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Nubia: Real One addresses issues of race and identity. What does the book have to say about lawful protesting? What can be dangerous about protests, and how can they be made safer?
Why does Nubia feel the need to hide her heritage? How can teens feel better about their family background?
What can be done about gun violence in schools? What can adults do to make schools safer?
Book Details
- Author: L. L. McKinney
- Genre: Graphic Novel
- Topics: Activism , Princesses, Fairies, Mermaids, and More , Superheroes , Friendship , Great Girl Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: DC Comics
- Publication date: February 2, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 15 - 18
- Number of pages: 208
- Available on: Paperback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: February 18, 2021
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Read
Our Editors Recommend
Graphic Novels and Memoirs
Best Superhero Books for Kids
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate