Graphic Novel Review: Primer
The Details
Title: Primer
Authors: Jennifer Muro, Thomas Krajewski
Illustrator: Gretel Lusky
Publisher (Date): DC Comics (June 23, 2020)
Media Type: Paperback; 160 pages
Find it on: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Primer introduces a brand-new superhero with a colorful array of superpowers to explore.
Ashley Rayburn is an upbeat girl with a decidedly downbeat past. Her father is a known criminal who once used Ashley to help him elude justice, and in his attempt to escape, a life was taken. He now sits in federal prison, but still casts a shadow over Ashley’s life. In the meantime, Ashley has bounced from foster home to foster home and represents a real challenge to the social workers who try to help her–not because she’s inherently bad, but because trouble always seems to find her.
Ashley’s latest set of presumably short-term foster parents are Kitch and Yuka Nolan. Like Ashley, Kitch happens to be an artist. Yuka, on the other hand, is a geneticist working for a very high-level tech company, one that’s contracted out to work for the government and the military. And it’s Yuka’s latest top secret project that has her very concerned. Developed for the military, it’s a set of body paints that, when applied to the wearer, grant them a wide range of special powers. Fearful that this invention will be misused, Yuka sneaks the set of paints home, substituting a dummy suitcase with an ordinary set of paints in their place.
From here, signals get crossed. Ashley comes home from school one day with her new friend Luke and, thinking that the Nolans have purchased a surprise gift for her upcoming birthday, finds the set of paints. Being an artist, Ashley naturally assumes these are for her. It isn’t long before she realizes that she’s stumbled upon something much bigger and a lot more dangerous. Although she uses her newly discovered powers for good, it’s not long before the military becomes wise to what happened to their secret weapon. And this spells big trouble not only for Ashley, but for her newfound family and friends as well.
The Illustrations
I wanted to break out a separate section for illustrations in my 2020 graphic novel and comic reviews, because they are such a key part of the book! In this instance, I can tell you that Gretel Lusky’s artwork is an essential part of Primer. Ashley’s world is so colorful, and it just becomes even more so as she comes into her superhero persona. Even better, the emotions come through beautifully in every panel. From anger, to pain, to pure unbridled love, Lusky’s illustrations show it all in vivid color. I was so very impressed, and I am sure that readers of all ages will love this.
The Review
Oh, friends. The story in this book is just too good for words. Ashley’s origin story is one that I feel a lot of people out there can resonate with in some aspect. She’s been from foster family to another, carrying the baggage of her childhood and unwilling to let down the walls that she has built to protect her. I instantly recognized her use of humor to protect her feelings, and you can’t even imagine the size of my smile when she met the Nolans. The love toward amazing foster parents is real here, and it is guaranteed to make you giggle, sigh, and maybe even tear up a little.
Ashley herself is a very relatable character. She’s funny, impulsive, and full of kindness. Despite everything that she has been through, she isn’t callous or trying to hurt others. I loved the panels that showed her first day of school, because it took that one small page to showcase what a wonderful person she was. Standing up for ourselves is one thing, but standing up for others is always even better. When she finds a way to become a superhero? Well, that only seals the deal.
I could gush on and on about the diversity in the characters, the beautiful flow between the panels and the dialogue, and even the interesting questions that are posed by this gorgeous story. Still, I don’t want to ruin anything for potential readers so I’ll stop here. Suffice it to say that if you’re looking for a fun, middle grade and YA appropriate graphic novel this is it! Primer is ready to steal your heart.
