Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Wonder Woman's Black twin fights injustice in urgent tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
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 :
- Genre : Graphic Novel
- Topics : Activism , Superheroes , Friendship
- 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, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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