DC has officially announced two new young-adult graphic novels, starring Wonder Woman and Blue Beetle, respectively.
Per DC, this August sees the release of Wonder Woman: The Adventures of Young Diana by Jordie Bellaire and Paulina Ganucheau. The graphic novel collects the “Adventures of Young Diana” stories originally serialized in Wonder Woman #770-779, Wonder Woman #785-796, and Wonder Woman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1.
“The world may know her as Wonder Woman, but once upon a time she was Diana, the young princess of Themyscira. Back then, she struggled to find her place on an island deemed paradise by many, but which was, to her, a prison,” an official synopsis for The Adventures of Young Diana reads.
“Trapped in her role as a royal and shielded from the harsh realities of Man’s World, Diana yearns for adventure, or at least a purpose,” it continues. “So when ancient texts portraying her home’s history go missing, she gets both. How far will our hero go to find the texts and the truths they’re hiding? Find out in this exciting story that promises to be a classic for years to come!”
Jaimie Reyes makes his YA graphic novel debut this fall
Then, October sees the release of This Land Is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story by Julio Anta, Jacoby Salcedo, and Francesco Segala. The original graphic novel tells an all-new story starring Jaime Reyes, aka Blue Beetle.
“Jaime Reyes is an ordinary high school student in El Paso, Texas, with a deep love for his family, culture, and home. Whether it’s working with his dad at the auto shop or a multigenerational barbecue filled with music and dance, Jaime loves nothing more than his neighborhood’s spontaneous gatherings that go late into the night. But lately he’s begun to realize that he and his border community are being used as pawns in an increasingly toxic immigration debate,” the synopsis for This Land Is Our Land reads.
“The last few months have seen armed troops deployed along the U.S. and Mexico border, manufactured crackdowns at official border crossings, and now, at the community level, a mounting resentment amongst a disaffected and reactionary group who believe they’re being ‘replaced’ by El Paso’s growing immigrant population,” it continues. “And to make matters worse, one of Jaime’s oldest friends, Riley, has bought into the propaganda. What started off as innocent web searches have now led Riley down a path to joining an unabashed hate group with a chapter in El Paso looking to cause some real-world violence.”
The synopsis concludes, “But Jaime’s problems get even more complicated when he finds an odd bug-like artifact while stargazing. He starts feeling a little different — like there’s another voice in his head pushing him toward his basest instincts. And to make matters worse, he’s been having surreal dreams that show him that the true threat El Paso faces isn’t ‘illegal aliens,’ but actual aliens known as the Reach. In fact, according to his dreams, Jaime is meant to pave the way for the Reach’s impending invasion!”
Wonder Woman: The Adventures of Young Diana goes on sale Tuesday, August 6 from DC. This Land Is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story follows suit on Tuesday, October 1. Both graphic novels are currently available for pre-order.
