Graphic Novel Review - 'Amethyst' by Amy Reeder

This is part of DC's new 'Wonder Comics' brand, and it's another reboot of 'Amethyst'. Never mind that it is technically a sequel to the character's classic, pre-New 52 origin story and first adventure (Christy Marx's work doesn't apply here at all, which is a shame) - in the end, it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter how much you know about Amethyst, her story, and Gemworld in general before reading Amy Reeder's take on the DC fantasy action heroine; in fact, if anything, it is better to go in blind, and just go with the flow. There are scatterings of information and flashbacks that help to explain some stuff here and there (Amy Winston is already Princess Amethyst and has been saving Gemworld for years), but this brand new/new brand comic is best viewed as a reboot than a sequel. There will be retcons, so the less you know about Amethyst and Gemworld, the better. There may be less annoyance (read: fan outrage) that way.

Thankfully, I find the retcons in this particular case to be less of an issue, in comparison to the more recent retcons done to other superheroines like Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel, which range from unnecessary to crass to horrible and insulting. In 'Amethyst', written and drawn by Amy Reeder, the retcons help add mystery and intrigue to the story. Aside from a few side character assassinations and characters just being ignored altogether, in a bizarre turn of events, it all works. For a modern fantasy story (Isekai) where politics are as screwed up as they are in our world, and nothing and no one is what they seem. Messy, complicated worlds.

And regardless, it overall remains a fun comic, which knows the importance of emotional investment on the part of the reader.

Amy Winston/Princess Amethyst of Gemworld is a lovable, determined and flawed young heroine, who faces so much adversity; so much debasement, slander and abuse, from a world she loves and which once loved her back. But at the end of it all, after everything that is revealed to her, after everything she has suffered through, both externally and internally, she is still respected. She is revered by the people she least expects; by the downtrodden, the ignored, the forgotten. By new friends and allies. Everyone else has abandoned her. There is a meta subtext to this development: Amethyst, who was treated badly recently by her past friends - and by DC - now has a newfound lease on life.

Amy - who despite her powers and experiences, is sixteen and still a naïve kid - is given a chance to grow and progress, thanks to the new; which she will incorporate into the old, corrupt Gemworld. Established things are twisted; spun and flung upside-down. The tables have turned, and a bittersweet yet fresh, bright era awaits.

As you grow up, you realise that, even in fantasy worlds, things are not as black and white - or as like a cartoon - as they appear: such is the lesson that Amy, along with the reader, learns.

A teenage girl's wish-fulfilment fantasy this ain't.

Welcome to real life. But there will always be friends and family that you can rely on. They will do anything for you, and be there for you. There is still hope.

Thus concludes my rambling and vague review of 'Amethyst'. I had no expectations for it going in - I had pretty much given up on DC and Marvel at this point - but it surprised me. I won't mention any plot and/or character-specific details because, as I've said, it is best to go in blind. Experience it anew as Amy does, on her modern hero's journey.

The artwork is alright and appropriately colourful. Though it looks a little too sharp with heavy line work, and in some instances, whenever characters yell and scream, their heads tilt upward and their jaws look unhinged. Very awkward.

On another note: one aspect that is like a teenage girl's fantasy is there are lots of gemstones that are integrated into the story, apropos of Gemworld. Each possess their own powers and properties. With the help of a "Healing Crystals" book that Amy's earth parents give her on her birthday, she can use not only amethysts, but different stones for any situation. I love it!

Hail Princess Amethyst of the newly rebooted Gemworld, in her millennial and revolutionary glory! Like every girl, and like every child, she is far better than she knows she is capable of. More powerful, with or without magic stones.

Final Score: 3.5/5