‘Nubia: Real One’ Review: A Black Teen Girl Superhero Out Here Living

Nubia: Real One is one hell of a story. Written by L.L. McKinney and Illustrated by Robyn Smith, these two creators depict the raw insecurities and deep-seated fears of a dark-skinned, Black teenage girl coming of age in a world where superheroes are lauded and also slightly feared, as they fly through the sky. This creative team brought us a fresh spin of an older comic book character who has been on the sidelines for too long. I knew that this graphic novel centered on a widely misunderstood woman, mostly seen as rival and challenger to her twin sister, Wonder Woman: Nubia. I ended up blown away with this narrative that re-imagines Nubia as a teen girl who struggles and thrives. This is a graphic novel that is as timely–it tackles issues young people are experiencing today along–as it is a heartfelt journey that I’ve reread again and again.

Can you be a hero…if society doesn’t see you as a person? Nubia Johnson is trying to get through the pains of high school. She wants to please and respect her parents while also reveling in the wonders of life with her two caring and playful best friends. However, Nubia has a gigantic secret: she can lift cars and move faster than the eye can see. Her powers have cost her and her family stability, and because of this, is determined to stay out of the spotlight to preserve any semblance of normalcy. However, how can she remain silent when injustice happens right in front of her?

God, this story was beautiful. From the first page I …