STAR WARS AND THE DCU COLLIDE WITH TWO BOOKS BY CHRONICLE BOOKS

‘Chronicle Books’ have recently released two entertaining titles that will fascinate the fans and please the public. One of them is an easy to use guide that showcases the plethora of female characters who populate the DC Universe, while the other, is a jovial account of the Star Wars franchise. Want to know more? Then please check this out...

DC: Women of Action

Author: Shea Fontana
Format: Hardcover (with dust-jacket)
Price: £21.99
Page Count: 160-pages
Size: 21.5x26.3cm

Synopsis: This new book illustrates the fiercest, strongest, and most independent female characters to have ever populated the DC Universe. This includes an in-depth account that chronicles the careers of such classic heroes as: Wonder Woman, Lois Lane, and Batgirl, to name but a few, with each fine figure being illustrated by either a female or non-binary artist: Annie Wu, Brittney Williams, Colleen Doran, Elsa Chang, Emanuela Lupacchino, Gisèle Lagacé, Irene Koh, Jen Bartel, Jennifer Aberin Johnson, Little Corvus, Mingjue Helen Chen, Paulina Ganucheau, Stephanie Hans, and Winona Nelson.

‘DC: Women of Action’ also features profiles of real-life women who’ve been integral to the development of the comic book industry, such as the founder of the 'Vertigo' imprint, Karen Berger, as well as Ramona Fradon, who’s been creating comic book art since 1949. In many ways, this exciting action-packed volume is a powerful celebration of the amazing, inspirational women of the DCU, and I'm sure it will engage and delight new and old fans alike.

Poison Ivy by Jen Bartel

What I Thought Of It: Now I know this may sound somewhat strange, but in many ways, I’d say this book reminds me of a very glamorous stalker! Not only because it’s bold enough to flaunt all of its amenable assets, but in addition to this, it’s also obsessed with women! Seriously, folks, it’s a very persistent read, no doubt about it, as it’s packed to the hilt with numerous facts and figures focused on the not so fairer sex! Well, did you know that Catwoman was based on the actress, Hedy Lamarr? Or for that matter, that Wonder Woman’s first appearance involved her being the secretary for the Justice Society of America? If not, then you should definitely pick up this book, and follow the progression of the female form over the last eighty years! It’s also nicely presented, with bold and lavish visuals highlighting each character, while conforming to a structure which displays each hero’s profile in order of name and the city they’re based in (Metropolis for Lois Lane, Gotham for Batwoman, and so on, and so forth). So, on the whole, I’d say ‘DC: Women of Action’ was a very fine read, and I would unquestionably recommend it to people who like people.

Batwoman by Colleen Doran

Wonder Woman by Jen Bartel

Rey and Pals

Author: Jeffrey Brown
Format: Hardcover
Price: £10.99
Page Count: 64-pages
Size: 17.7x17.7cm

Synopsis: Jeffrey Brown is The New York Times bestselling author behind the satirical comic strip, ‘Darth Vader and Son’, and now he’s returned to the Star Wars galaxy with a collection of brand new adventures starring young Rey and Kylo, Finn and Poe, Hux and Phasma, and Rose and BB-8, all under the watchful eye of Luke, General Leia, Han, and Chewie.

So whether it’s Kylo trying to use the Force to cheat at Go Fish, or Poe using BB-8 as a bowling ball, I’m sure Jeffrey Brown’s charmingly hilarious vision will delight Star Wars fans of all ages.

What I Thought Of It: When I first picked up ‘Rey and Pals’, I didn’t think I’d enjoy reading it because the art looked too cartoonish and the story seemed too silly. But upon closer inspection? Well, I’d say the opposite was true! More so in fact, on account of the satirical way Jeffrey Brown was able to have some fun with the characters that pop up within the Star Wars Universe. Essentially, each page in the book depicts a self-contained scenario that coyly comments on certain events previously established in the series. For instance, one illustration furnishes us with a situation where Rey and Finn are playing a game of hide-and-seek together, only for Rey to find him by mentally lifting up a boulder he’s hiding behind. While another page, shows Snoke, Kylo, Phasma, and Hux having a barbecue outside in the park. Admittedly, it is a pretty quick read and you have to know at least something about Star Wars to really understand Jeffrey’s jokes. Apart from that, though, I honestly thought it was a right blast, and to some degree, kind of reminded me of Charles Schulz’s ‘Peanuts’ comic strip, minus the Beagle, divided by the fandom, and multiplied by a double-dose of friendly-fun (May the farce be with you).

Now for any further information, either click on the links provided or check out the official 'Chronicle Books' website, facebook, and twitter pages.