Graphic Novel Review - 'Disney's Raya and the Last Dragon: The Graphic Novel' by Random House Disney

2023 EDIT:

Reread: No, sorry, not feeling it this time. It starts strong, then it quickly reveals what a rushed comic adaptation it is, with important parts and details from the movie skipped, and the narration boxes more often than not are an intrusion, and they explain the skipped action, and skipped plot and character development, to the readers. Show, don't tell! It's too short, too abridged, not satisfying at all.

I expect better, Disney.

The art is nice, at least.

Final Score: 3/5





Original Review:



A beautifully drawn short comic adaptation of the film. Some key features in the story are notably absent (not to be revealed here due to spoilers), but it's a good story in its own right as well.

Disney's version of 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' is a wonderful female-led tale. The fantasy, the mythology, the culture, the designs of the female characters - including the dragons - are rich and spectacular.

Like it or not, Raya is a Disney Princess, and that doesn't diminish her warrior-adventurer character in any way. Sisu is similar to a female Genie and I am here for it.

Plus, screw Disney - Raya and Namaari are a chaotic love story about redemption, forgiveness, trust, and eventual courting retribution. Everyone can see it, even if Disney refuses to, in their stubborn, cowardly tenacity in queerbaiting and erasure in their films (as I also say in a blogpost: I swear Disney is actively trying to erase any hint of queer subtext in their films at this point. Why do I keep giving them money? Why does anyone? Their overall behaviour has been appalling this past year). And heaven help us all, they are continuing to take over and own everything in film and TV culture.

We can only hope that 'Raya and the Last Dragon' will represent a step, no matter how small, towards a worldwide shifting change. This can be achieved on a grand scale when initiated by the biggest company on earth. Until then, we will have to take whatever crumbs of representation we can scavenge.

Final Score: 4/