Primer

May 22, 2020

Gr 4-8-Thirteen-year-old Ashley hasn't had an easy time in the foster system, taking her feelings out on the world through pranks and graffiti. But it seems like she might be fitting right in with her new foster family, the quirky Nolans: Kitch, an artist and professor, and Yuka, a scientist at Zecromax Labs. Just as things settle down at home and school, Yuka brings home a mysterious briefcase, which Ashley filches, full of body paints that give her superpowers. As Ashley hits the streets to fight crime and save lives, she catches the attention of supersoldier Cal Strack, who wants her abilities for his own ambitious purposes. Can Ashley fight crime and protect her new family, too? A fast-paced plot, memorable characters, and a healthy dash of classic comic book convolution make this a satisfying read for hero connoisseurs. Lusky's vibrant, expressive artwork perfectly conveys the dynamic action. While this adventure wraps up by the end of the volume, lingering opportunities and threats indicate more to come. VERDICT For fans of Wonder Woman and She-Ra looking for a colorful fix.-Darla Salva Cruz, Suffolk Cooperative Lib. Syst., Bellport, NY

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2020
A feisty young teen explores the literal power of art. Ever since her abusive father was imprisoned, spunky graffiti artist Ashley has bounced from foster home to foster home. When she finally finds a new family she jibes with, she's cautiously optimistic. Kitch Nolan is a visual artist while his wife, Yuka, is a geneticist for Zecromax Labs. They're overjoyed to welcome Ashley into their life, but Yuka grows increasingly distant. Soon Ashley discovers that Yuka is keeping a secret: She's stolen some prototype Project Warpaint. A new secret weapon coveted by the military, this is body paint imbued with superhero powers, one per color. When Ashley accidentally activates the paints and begins experimenting with them, she decides to assume a superhero identity, becoming the titular Primer with the help of her new friend Luke. Soon she realizes she's up against a bigger threat than your average bad guy. A supersoldier is hunting down this new secret weapon and is more than happy to take out Ashley in the process. The character design has slightly exaggerated features (white-presenting Ashley has oversized eyes and a petite waist), and the illustration style is realistic, dynamic, and, of course, colorful. Readers willing to overlook slight inconsistencies in characterization and questions about worldbuilding will find this read delightful and look forward to future chapters. The Nolans are an interracial couple, and Luke presents black. An energetic introduction to a new superhero. (Graphic adventure. 8-14)

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June 1, 2020
Grades 5-8 Daughter of a hard-bitten thief, Ashley is a ward of the state with a cagey, self-possessed attitude. Prospective foster parents Kitch and Yuka Nolan are willing to take a chance, though, and things seem to be clicking, especially with Kitch, who shares Ashley's love for making art. That's until Ashley stumbles onto her new mom's secret: Yuka's a scientist who has invented a selection of body paints developed from superhero DNA, which, when applied, can imbue a fantastic array of color-coded superpowers. Afraid of how the military will use them, Yuka steals them, only to have them stolen from her by Ashley, who now becomes the city's newest amateur superhero: Primer. Adding a few clever twists to a familiar story in our superhero-saturated times, Primer may be more satisfying than it is surprising, but its animated faces, buoyant colors, and swooping action sequences strike a spot-on visual tone for middle-grade readers. Ashley's struggle to navigate emotional relationships with both her foster parents and her incarcerated father also makes for an interestingly plucky and not uncomplicated protagonist.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)