Genius Cartel #1by Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 6 Destiny Ajaye is a 17-year-old black woman and a skilled freedom fighter and protester. Her actions in taking on the LAPD land her in a government-run school for prodigies, Madrasa Institute. But she doesn't agree with them, though they argue for a bigger picture ....I'm not sure what to make of this story. Destiny is obviously willing to do what it takes to stand up for the rights of other blacks, including taking on the police directly, but the story is set up to force her to be a pawn of the government and, as she puts it, get her to "kill whichever brown people you don't like this year". It's complicated and a bit cringe-worthy. However, Destiny is definitely a prodigy when it comes to war strategy and apparently military-type combat (despite no military experience). She gets training of some kind (handgun and some hand-to-hand that we see) at this institute, but it seems like she already knew how to do all that. She's smart, quick, able, determined, and completely no-nonsense. Her answer to the question posed in class is very logical -- cold logical like Ender's Game. She definitely does not come across as a 17-year-old, but I guess that fits with her being a prodigy. Her (understandably) bad attitude stands out above all else, and that's the one thing they don't try to put in check. The first issue ends with a mild reverse-fridging. I'm a little surprised that they're going that route, despite them laying the groundwork leading up to that ending. I'm partially surprised because if this works, then I have to wonder why the institute's bigger picture argument didn't work .... The art is really good with well-done facial expressions and body mechanics. It has strong layouts that keep the pacing punched up, and makes very nice use of colors, too. I'm really not clicking with the character or story, though. I'm sure other readers will get more milage out of it, but it won't be for everyone. Written: August 18, 2017
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