Whistle: A New Gotham City Hero by E. Lockhart
From New York Times bestselling author E. Lockhart (Genuine Fraud, We Were Liars) and artist Manuel Preitano (The Oracle Code) comes a new Gotham City superhero in this exciting YA graphic novel. Sixteen-year-old Willow Zimmerman has something to say. When she's not on the streets protesting City Hall's neglect of her run-down Gotham neighborhood, she's working nights at the local dog shelter. But despite how much she does for the world around her, she's struggling to take care of her sick mother at home. She's got no time for boys (though there's one she really likes), and no means to adopt the amazingly loyal stray Great Dane, Lebowitz, that follows her around. Without health insurance and with money running out, a desperate Willow reconnects with an estranged family friend E. Nigma—party promoter, and real estate tycoon. Nigma opens the door to an easier life, offering Willow a new job hosting his glamorous private poker nights with Gotham City's elites. Now Willow is able to afford critical medical treatments for her mother and get a taste of the high life she's never had. Then everything changes: Willow and Lebowitz are attacked by one of Gotham's most horrific villains, the monstrous Killer Croc. When they wake after the fight, they can understand each other. And Willow has powers she never dreamed of.
- Suggested age range - 14-17 Years
- Format - Paperback
- Dimensions - 5.9" W x 8.9" H x 0.6" D
- Genre - Fiction
- Publisher - DC Comics, Publication date - 09-07-2021
- Page count - 208
- ISBN - 9781401293222
Web ID: 16223845
A great story!
Warning: This isn't really an action at all but its story is incredible. I've read it multiple times and the moments are still as impactful
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
graphic novel
Whistle: A New Gotham City Hero By: E. Lockhart DC Entertainment DC Comics Teens and YA Publish Date 7 September 2021 #WhistleANewGothamCityHero#NetGalley 50 Book ReviewsProfessional Reader I would first like to thank NetGalley and DC Entertainment for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. Good Reads Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Willow Zimmerman has something to say. When she’s not on the streets advocating for her community, she’s volunteering at the local pet shelter. She seeks to help all those in need, even the stray dog she’s named Lebowitz that follows her around. But as much as she does for the world around her, she struggles closer to home–taking care of her mother, recently diagnosed with cancer. Her job as an adjunct professor of Jewish studies does not provide adequate health insurance–and Willow can see that time is running out. When in desperation she reconnects with her estranged “uncle” Edward, he opens the door to an easier life. Through simple jobs, such as hosting his private poker nights with Gotham City’s elites, she is able to keep her family afloat–and afford critical medical treatments for her mother. Willow’s family life quickly improves through the income provided by these jobs, but it comes at the cost of distancing herself from the people she truly cares about. Her time is now spent on new connections, such as biologist and teacher Pammie Isley. And when Willow and Lebowitz collide with the monstrous Killer Croc outside the local synagogue, they are both injured, only to wake up being able to understand each other. And there are other developments, too…strange ways in which they’ve become stronger together. Willow’s activism kicks into high gear–with these powers, she can really save the world! But when Willow discovers that Edward and his friends are actually some of Gotham’s most corrupt criminals, she must make a choice: remain loyal to the man who kept her family together, or use her new powers to be a voice for her community. Book Review: I gave this graphic novel 4 stars. It is a quick read and fun. What can I tell you about this book that Good Reads hasn’t already. The Illustrations are great. It is nice to know that some teenagers care about what is going on around them. Willow really loves her mom and is constantly worried about her. She has to learn how to make things around all work together. She is good at job but while doing so she neglects the other things that are important to her. Can she still work for her “Uncle” and help the community? You will have to read the book to find out.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Fell flat
Instead of being something original, this felt like layering older comic characters into a new one, and trying to add powers, a hopeful boyfriend, a life of trouble in Gotham city, etc etc. It all starts with character, but this one, for me, didn't really shine all that bright.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
3.5/5 Crime-fighting pups!
3.5/5 Crime-fighting pups! Willow is just your average activist teen working at the local puppy pound until she has a rare encounter with the killer crock that leaves her with superhuman hearing, super smell, and possibly a few other dog-like characteristics. Willow's struggle between doing what is best for her community versus what is best for her family was a really interesting place to put the conflict of this story. I really enjoyed how Gotham shaped this character and her choices, and I liked how she grew throughout the story! The first half felt a little choppy but by the end I could see the purpose of all characters and elements even if it wasn't super smooth. The art is really cool too and has some great detail! (I loved the Harley Quinn graffiti in the background!) Overall, Willow and her pup side-kick were a pretty adorable duo that I would definitely want to see fight crime in the future!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
A dynamic duo: Jewish activist & her canine
A dynamic duo of a Jewish activist and her faithful canine companion - heck yes! Willow Zimmerman is new to me in the DC universe. I had not heard of her as a DC hero/villain before this graphic novel. I am so glad to meet her and read her backstory. This is a timely piece in my life as my students are wrapping up a social justice issue project and this graphic novel contains many social justice issues and protests/events surrounding these issues. Willow is petitioning for more money for the educational system in Gotham City and reform for it as well. There's a lot to protest/petition in Gotham within the novel. I like Willow's activist approach to helping her city. I also connected with Willow since she worked at an animal shelter which reminded me of my Humane Society days. Willow becomes attached to a stay dog named Lebowitz. When Willow is faced with a moral dilemma of accepting illegal work with Enigma and helping to pay the bills for her mother's cancer treatment or continue on with her life as is: Willow is exposed to more than she bargained for. On a lighter note, Willow and Lebowitz wind up being connected more than anticipated. I quite like their bond and their superpowers. I also love how this novel walks the line between good/evil, justified/unjustified, hero/anti hero/villain. Loved the art, themes and culture of this graphic novel. Whistle maybe my new favorite Gotham character.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com