Illustrated by Yoshi Yoshitani
3 stars
A fun spin on the Titans. Nice mix of daily life and superhero escapades. Works well for those who are at least vaguely aware of the DC characters and are accepting of changes to the universe.
The story follows Mandy, who sees herself as the opposite of her mother, Starfire. When she doesn’t develop superpowers, Mandy feels like she let her mother down. So, she vows to be the Anti-Starfire. But an unexpected arrival forces Mandy to recognize that being the daughter of a superhero means she’s anything but normal. Will she rise to the challenge and join her mother or choose normalcy over family?
Overall, this was an interesting read. I love the exploration of superhero’s children and how their lives are affected by their parents. Great look at the mother-daughter dynamics of a superhero. While it’s a fantastical story, there are many relatable elements (parental expectations, rebellion, letting a parent down, not feeling understood). Cute LGBTQ love story mixed in. Nice art style with a cool blend of flowery and Goth vibes. Mandy’s anxiety was especially well presented visually.
A nice read for superhero fans seeking active women and girl characters. An interesting exploration of identity, confidence, and expectations.