Zielgruppe: 9-14, Tier- und Naturfreunde, junge Ökoaktivisten

Contentwarnungen: Verletzte Tiere, Krebserkrankung, Referenzen auf Alkohol- und Drogenkonsum, Referenzen auf Spielsucht

Plotzusammenfassung:
Die junge Ökoaktivistin Willow bemüht sich bei Straßenprotesten und auch im lokalen Tierheim Gotham City zu verbessern. Die ambitionierte Schülerin kümmert sich außerdem um ihre krebskranke Mutter und füttert heimlich einen Straßenhund. Ihr neuer Mitschüler, Garfield, scheint auch ganz interessant zu sein und langsam lernen sie sich kennen. Doch Gotham City wird von “Begrünungsanschlägen” bedroht – Orte an denen die Menschen zusammenkommen können, werden von Pflanzen überwuchert und unbegehbar gemacht. Aber warum? Als der alte Freund ihrer Mutter, E. Nigma, Willow einen neuen Job anbietet, kommt Willow an einen Scheideweg: Bleibt sie ihren Prinzipien treu oder verdient sie mehr Geld für sich und ihre Mutter? Besonders E.‘s Bekannte und Biologiestudentin Pammie Isley macht mächtig Eindruck auf Willow – am liebsten wäre sie genauso wie Pammie… oder?

Bekannte Orte/ Figuren: #GothamCity #TheRiddler #PoisonIvy #KillerCroc
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Note: I received a pre-release copy for free through NetGalley from DC.
I really enjoyed this! It lays the groundwork for some interesting future entries in the series, while also establishing a strong start to Willow's story and place within Gotham. It is also nice to see Gotham explored during daytime for once. This looks like it will be DC's Ms.Marvel, which is a very good thing. ( )

In this graphic novel, Jewish teen Willow Zimmerman accepts a job from an old family friend to pay for her mother’s cancer treatments. The back-alley position leads to a run-in with villain Killer Croc, after which Willow acquires dog-like superpowers that she uses to battle an enemy who is trying to destroy her neighborhood. (Sydney Taylor Young Adult Honor) ( )

3.5 stars

I picked this up because of E. Lockhart, and I didn’t realize dogs figured so heavily in it. Yay to that bonus! I liked Willow and Leibovitz a lot, and I would read more of their adventures for sure. The artwork isn’t what drew me, but I liked how the dogs were drawn, especially Leibovitz. I wasn’t as keen on how the humans were drawn or a lot of the color schemes.
It was interesting that Willow’s superhero status didn’t mean she left her questionable job and relationships behind, and I’m curious how long her double-life will last if there are more books.
It didn’t wow me right into space, but it was fun to meet a superhero with these powers. ( )

I really wanted the story to play more with the moral dilemma, working for the bad guys and getting paid by them but for a good reason. I thought Willow’s motivation made perfect sense, but she didn’t seem to think too deeply about what she was getting into. Also, Garfield, the love interest, was bland as all get out. I liked Pammie though.

The ending feels very episodic in nature as nothing of any value really happens. The status quo is remained throughout, so hopefully it gets addressed in another book.
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