Were the graphic novel to primarily focus on either Mandy’s home life or her school life, it might feel more cohesive, but as it is, the narrative can’t help but feel a little slapdash. Both side characters are fairly one-note, serving only as temporary catalysts for Mandy’s character development. Neither best friend Lincoln nor love interest Claire feel like they really have a place in the story, especially one that theoretically centers around a mother-daughter relationship. SAT scores aside, Mandy’s school life feels a little lackluster. This element of the story is handled with relative grace and care and does serve to flesh out Mandy’s character.

There is an undeniable pressure on freshly graduated young adults to know and be certain of their career aspirations, and this expectation can be a heavy one to bear - a burden that Mandy is all too familiar with. The topic of indecision surrounding the future is one that will resonate heavily with the target audience, and Mandy’s hesitance does feel realistic. Mandy doesn’t want to go to college, and this decision makes her feel alienated from her peers. After walking out of her SAT, Mandy feels pressured by the expectations placed on her by her guidance counselors to choose a college and career path as quickly as she can. The majority of the novel’s length that doesn’t concern Starfire centers around Mandy’s school life. Tim Drake and the Evolution of Queer Representation in DC Comics But while these disparities may be frustrating in a mother-daughter relationship, Starfire’s antagonistic portrayal definitely feels antithetical to her already established character. Starfire is eloquent and outspoken - everything her daughter is not. Starfire, on the other hand, while intended to be an adversarial character, is wholly more appealing than her narrative counterpart. She’s rude to her classmates and well-meaning mother, berating her fashion and style choices while lamenting that her mother does the same to her, and her sour disposition remains stagnant throughout the book. Such is archetypal of the teen experience, though this added attempt at relatability comes at a cost.Īs a character, Mandy does not invite sympathy. She’s sarcastic and snarky, and there’s nothing she hates more than being told what to do.

Mandy herself is a brash character, often holding her mother and her peers in contempt. Teenaged Mandy is not like her superhero mom in either appearance or personality, a touchy subject that flares up between mother and daughter throughout the book. The novel strays away from the action-packed fight scenes and epic conquests characteristic of the superhero genre, focusing instead on the ins and outs of teenage life. This novel makes sure that the reader knows they’re not reading a superhero comic. In terms of narrative, Tamaki writes a divisive work. Still, there’s no denying that the art style of “I Am Not Starfire” is professionally done. This cartoonish approach is an unusual deviation from the style of average DC Comics works, so its simplicity might be off-putting to some. Character designs are memorable, colors are poignant and thoughtful, and the lineless style characteristic of her technique is refreshingly reminiscent of a paper-cut illustration. However, while certainly a break from the mold, Yoshitani’s work is still striking and aesthetically pleasing, and the artist showcases her mastery of color and shape throughout the novel. Why We Will Never Let Go of the Dark Knight

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