Livewire Volume 1: Fugitive

KIRKUS -- Move over Marvel, there are new superheroeson the graphic-novel stands. In this thought-provoking comic series, readersmeet Amanda McKee, aka Livewire, a black former government agent whose powersenable her to manipulate technology. Amanda and her fellow psiots are now on therun from U.S. officials who want to control their powers and who fear theirinfluence. Amanda is currently public enemy No. 1 after causing a blackout thatresulted in mass casualties. While evading agents out for blood, she strugglesto reunite with her psiot friends who feel betrayed by her actions. Thenarrative begins in media res, and Ayala (Twisted Romance, 2018, etc.) andartists Allén and Martin do a credible job of creating a world that feelsrealistic and visually fantastical while also orienting readers within thestory. Amanda's trio of friends are a multiethnic bunch (East Asian, Sikh, andwhite), and through their dialogue, readers confront uneasy truths aboutsuperheroes that other, more fantasy-based, characters are able to avoid. Asmuch as superpowered beings are revered, on some level we fear and resent themfor reminding us of our own powerlessness, a tension explored here. Given howtechnologically dependent society has become, few superheroes can feel moretimely-or more threatening-than these. (Graphic novel. 13-18)