It’s been almost 50 years since Nubia’s comic debut in 1973’s Wonder Woman #204. Created by Robert Kanigher and Don Heck to be a battle-ready warrior to challenge Diana for the title of Wonder Woman, she has come a long way. Whether she is depicted as Queen of the Amazons or the guardian of Doom’s Doorway, Nubia has been through many changes throughout her lifetime. Continuing her tremendous journey is NNubia & The Justice League Special #1, which brings Nubia another life-changing challenge as she joins the illustrious Justice League.
Nubia & The Justice League Special #1 is an exciting and hopeful story that brings the Amazon Queen to Man’s World to help some of the world’s greatest heroes in battle. Told in two separate stories, with Becky Cloonan and Michael Conrad writing the main story, “New Salvation,” and Stephanie Williams writing a backup story, “I am Nubia,” This special reminds readers what makes Nubia such an enduring and endearing character. Nubia & The Justice League Special #1 is a true display of the skill, heart, and power that Nubia possesses.
Cloonan and Conrad helm the majority of Nubia & The Justice League Special #1. Their story shows Nubia fighting side by side with iconic heroes like Martian Manhunter, Black Canary, and Green Arrow. What works so well in this special is the way Nubia interacts with her new teammates. Black Canary and Nubia have quite a bit of dialogue together, creating some of the best moments in the book. This story treats Nubia with the respect she deserves. Even characters like Black Adam are in awe of her sheer power. Cloonan and Conrad balance Nubia’s power, intelligence, and regality well in Nubia & The Justice League Special #1.
Williams tells a much more somber and touching story in the backup “I am Nubia,” where Nubia adjusts to life in Man’s World. The story casts Nubia as a fish out of water and puts her in the public eye in a way she hasn’t had to deal with before. Much like the main story by Cloonan and Conrad, this backup shows how dynamic Nubia is as a character. She’s powerful, spiritual, smart, and courageous.
The talent doesn’t end with the writing. Nubia & The Justice League Special #1 has an incredible team of artists, colorists, and letterers that truly bring this story to life. “New Salvation” has Nubia fighting in the streets of Gotham with Green Arrow and Black Canary as they chase after Firefly and soar through the skies of Metropolis with Martian Manhunter and Black Adam. Artist Amancay Nahuelpan, colorist Tamra Bonvillain, and letterer Patt Brosseau show how brutal Nubia can be when she needs to be. When Nubia is standing on the tops of Gotham high-rise buildings, the gold on her armor shines with pride. Even on pages saturated with colors and action, it’s easy to spot Nubia at all times, and each panel flows well into the next. The backup story has beautiful art that readers of Nubia are familiar with, with pencils by Alitha Martinez, inks by Mark Morals, and colors by Alex Guimarães. Their work in “I Am Nubia” displays how beautiful Nubia is. The creative team brings life to each panel of Nubia & The Justice League Special #1.
Nubia & The Justice League Special #1 is an action-packed heartwarming story about Nubia getting recognized as a worthy member of the Justice League and finally finding her place. It creates a new journey for her and balances all her amazing characteristics well. Both creative teams tell different stories that resonate with the character’s past while paving a path for the journey ahead.
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