Graphic Novel Review - 'Diana and Nubia: Princesses of the Amazons' by Shannon Hale (Writer), Dean Hale (Writer), Victoria Ying (Artist)

"I've gone my whole life as an only child, but today I wake up and-BOOM-instant sister!"

A fun, charming little sequel to the Hales' 'Diana: Princess of the Amazons' children's graphic novel.

It has Nubia in it! And she is the only princess in Themyscira, the only daughter of Hippolyta, and the only child among the Amazons. Until a childlike lonely wish in a cave on the eve of a solstice, heard by Hera, brings her world and Diana's world together into one (multiverses, amirite?), and suddenly they both meet - as twin sisters! In this reality they always have been sisters, who grew up together, but they are the only ones who remember their lives from before their own worlds fused.

The two little princesses are filled with hostility and distrust towards each other (on Diana's end it is understandable, and she references her experiences from the first comic), and soon, with dubious help from Hera, they find they can get the opportunity to uncombine their universes and return to their former lives. Then they will never have to see their "sister" again.

But as they work together, and get to know the other, and realise how alike they are and how nice it is to have someone their own age to hang out with, will they end up wanting to pull their plan off?

Amazons make the best sisters, after all.

'Diana and Nubia: Princesses of the Amazons' - what else to say? It is cute and simple, and a worthy continuation of Diana's adventures when she is eleven years old, ages before she becomes Wonder Woman in man's world. I love that Queen Hippolyta is married to the Amazon Philippus and they raised their daughter(s) together (Diana and Nubia call her "Ma"). I don't think this was in the first book (though Hippolyta does call Philippus "love" at one point, so they were always a couple then? Way too subtle, Hales), but I'm glad for its inclusion here. They are a loving and lovely family. The comic is very funny, too, and the artwork is adorable and soft - all brushstrokes. It might be possible that Victoria Ying's art is even bolder than in 'Diana: Princess of the Amazons'.

Diana and Nubia don't differ much in personality, however. They generally act and talk the same; they are brash, impulsive, normal-acting kids. They just have different hobbies, stuffed animals, favourite real animals, and preferred chores. Intentional? To show how alike they are? As sisters?

Not every little thing is resolved, either, and maybe the stakes could have been higher. But no matter. No worries. It's a playful, heartfelt, light but well developed all-ages young Princess Diana tale, once again with no male characters in sight! Added bonus is that this time there are no real villains, and no evil women; Hera is just herself, as self-serving, bored, careless, and morally grey/ambiguous as any Greek god, of which she is the literal queen.

Here is a joke about her in this story:


"[...] you know why Hera was put in charge of all of Olympus's animals?"

"[...] because she's the best Zeus-keeper!"


AAAAAAAAND GOODNIGHT EVERYBODY!

My review of 'Diana: Princess of the Amazons' can be found here.

Final Score: 4/5