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Whistle: A New Gotham City Hero
A new Gotham City superhero appears in this YA graphic novel.
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.
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.
193 pages, Paperback
First published September 7, 2021
29 people are currently reading
1424 people want to read
About the author
E. Lockhart
35 books16.7k followersE. Lockhart is the author of Again Again, Genuine Fraud, We Were Liars and Family of Liars, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, and several other books. Whistle: A New Gotham CIty Hero is a graphic novel. We Were Liars is also a TV show on Prime Video, June 2025. We Fell Apart, book 3 in the We Were Liars universe, publishes November 2025.
website: www.emilylockhart.com
Instagram, Threads & TikTok: elockhartbooks
website: www.emilylockhart.com
Instagram, Threads & TikTok: elockhartbooks
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 327 reviews
September 21, 2021
A Jewish teenager and activist in a rundown Gotham neighborhood gets a new job that pays well but is a corrupting influence. She gets dog superpowers because she and a dog both got scratched by the same person. (yeah, it's a dumb origin.) This book had potential. My problem with it is there's no arc or climax. It's just like a year in the life of this girl. Nothing gets resolved. The bad guys don't get caught. She hasn't saved her neighborhood. She's still working a shady job. It's like the story ended halfway through. The art and coloring are fine, but muted and average.
Received a review copy from DC and NetGalley.
Received a review copy from DC and NetGalley.
December 28, 2021
3.5 stars
"I love Gotham. I mean, I know it's corrupt . . . and filthy. But it's so alive." -- protagonist Willow Zimmerman, a.k.a. 'Whistle,' on page 43
Although I suppose anything would seem like Shakespeare after the train wreck that was Victor and Nora: A Gotham Love Story (which I read / reviewed just a few days ago), I have to give DC credit regarding Whistle: A New Gotham City Hero. They're trying to jumpstart a new teenage super-heroine (something competitor Marvel has been having much success with lately due to the likes of relative newcomer Kamala Khan) into the heavily entrenched comics market, and I think 'Whistle' is a fine addition to the usual costumed crime-fighting line-up regularly hitting the streets of Gotham City. Now, this graphic novella is not exactly a classic - of course it presents an origin story, and the sudden development of her superpowers leaves a whole lot to be desired in terms of scripting - but I thought that Willow Zimmerman was a genial, engaging and actually sort of a believable adolescent character. A Jewish high school student and a well-meaning neighborhood activist (but thankfully not depicted as one of those insufferable loudmouth types), she narrates her oddball tale of how working an innocent-seeming part-time job - which unfortunately has ties to the civilian alter egos of Riddler and Poison Ivy, who refreshingly don't appear in their full villainous personas until the denouement - leads her to becoming a low-key but still ass-kicking super-heroine for her beloved community. I'd say that Robin better watch out - Gotham has itself a new young protector.
"I love Gotham. I mean, I know it's corrupt . . . and filthy. But it's so alive." -- protagonist Willow Zimmerman, a.k.a. 'Whistle,' on page 43
Although I suppose anything would seem like Shakespeare after the train wreck that was Victor and Nora: A Gotham Love Story (which I read / reviewed just a few days ago), I have to give DC credit regarding Whistle: A New Gotham City Hero. They're trying to jumpstart a new teenage super-heroine (something competitor Marvel has been having much success with lately due to the likes of relative newcomer Kamala Khan) into the heavily entrenched comics market, and I think 'Whistle' is a fine addition to the usual costumed crime-fighting line-up regularly hitting the streets of Gotham City. Now, this graphic novella is not exactly a classic - of course it presents an origin story, and the sudden development of her superpowers leaves a whole lot to be desired in terms of scripting - but I thought that Willow Zimmerman was a genial, engaging and actually sort of a believable adolescent character. A Jewish high school student and a well-meaning neighborhood activist (but thankfully not depicted as one of those insufferable loudmouth types), she narrates her oddball tale of how working an innocent-seeming part-time job - which unfortunately has ties to the civilian alter egos of Riddler and Poison Ivy, who refreshingly don't appear in their full villainous personas until the denouement - leads her to becoming a low-key but still ass-kicking super-heroine for her beloved community. I'd say that Robin better watch out - Gotham has itself a new young protector.
October 7, 2021
BOOK: How about we start off with a lot of slice of life scenes to establish characters?
ME: A little boring, but, sure, okay.
BOOK: Boring? How about I start adapting "Molly's Game" then?
ME: Huh? That's sort of random.
BOOK: Would you prefer I just go straight-up Batman TV show camp then?
ME: Well, no, because that hardly fits with what has come before.
BOOK: Too late! Nyah-nyah!
ME: Oh my.
BOOK: Is that enough pages?
ME: Well, we're getting close to 200.
BOOK: The end.
ME: Mm-kay. Um. Thanks?
BOOK: You're welcome!
ME: A little boring, but, sure, okay.
BOOK: Boring? How about I start adapting "Molly's Game" then?
ME: Huh? That's sort of random.
BOOK: Would you prefer I just go straight-up Batman TV show camp then?
ME: Well, no, because that hardly fits with what has come before.
BOOK: Too late! Nyah-nyah!
ME: Oh my.
BOOK: Is that enough pages?
ME: Well, we're getting close to 200.
BOOK: The end.
ME: Mm-kay. Um. Thanks?
BOOK: You're welcome!
October 1, 2021
I received a copy of this book for free from the publishers (DC Comics) in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fun origin story for a new superhero!
First off, the art in this is amazing. I loved the color palette of blue, orange, and green. It made for a striking combination. The art style reminded me of the old school cartoons I used to read in the newspaper as a kid.
The storyline is interesting. Many reviewers mention the ending, in which things are not wrapped up completely. Things are left in a morally gray area so it may leave some readers unsatisfied. Personally, I was fine with the ending because it leaves open the possibility of more installments. Also, the morally gray ending was thought-provoking so I appreciated that aspect.
Whistle’s powers were intriguing. Her dog-like powers and ability to communicate with dogs reminded me of Marvel’s Squirrel Girl and her squirrel-like powers. However, I would have liked more story development on her powers. There wasn’t a lot of exploration on them, and since this is a new character, it would have been helpful to see the full extent of what she could do.
I loved the subtle cameos/references to other DC characters. For example, Black Canary makes a brief musical appearance (pg. 135), Willow wears a Flash tee shirt (pg. 139), and there is Harley Quinn graffiti (pg. 142).
Overall, this was a solid start to a new superhero story. I am curious to see where it goes next.
This was a fun origin story for a new superhero!
First off, the art in this is amazing. I loved the color palette of blue, orange, and green. It made for a striking combination. The art style reminded me of the old school cartoons I used to read in the newspaper as a kid.
The storyline is interesting. Many reviewers mention the ending, in which things are not wrapped up completely. Things are left in a morally gray area so it may leave some readers unsatisfied. Personally, I was fine with the ending because it leaves open the possibility of more installments. Also, the morally gray ending was thought-provoking so I appreciated that aspect.
Whistle’s powers were intriguing. Her dog-like powers and ability to communicate with dogs reminded me of Marvel’s Squirrel Girl and her squirrel-like powers. However, I would have liked more story development on her powers. There wasn’t a lot of exploration on them, and since this is a new character, it would have been helpful to see the full extent of what she could do.
I loved the subtle cameos/references to other DC characters. For example, Black Canary makes a brief musical appearance (pg. 135), Willow wears a Flash tee shirt (pg. 139), and there is Harley Quinn graffiti (pg. 142).
Overall, this was a solid start to a new superhero story. I am curious to see where it goes next.
February 22, 2023
2.5 / 5 stars
Was it good? no. Was the art cool? yeah. Did I like it? not particularly.
Can I stop this interrogation now? yeah? thanks.
There's virtually no plot, which is somewhat surprising considering it's a superhero novel. Isn't the superpower the plot? I mean, yeah, but only for the last 50ish pages. And at that, it was just glossed over.
Y'all, what am I here for if not for something to happen? I mean sure there were other...character focused plots. But. They were also really boring and nothing happened in them either. Also, what's-her-name, the Main Character who I don't care about, tried so hard to be morally grey and failed. She was all 'I'm not like other girls, I'm an activist, I encourage my mom be friends with people I know to be dangerous criminals'. Maybe the last one isn't generic but the girl's a dumbass.
For the snippets of plot that we did get, it was heavily predictable. Imagine someone heard of the phrase 'Chekov's gun' and proceeded to make a character named Chekov holding a gun saying 'I'm going to use this <3'.
Bored of me talking? me too. The pictures were pretty. The writing was...not for me. I liked the diversity, though.
Was it good? no. Was the art cool? yeah. Did I like it? not particularly.
Can I stop this interrogation now? yeah? thanks.
There's virtually no plot, which is somewhat surprising considering it's a superhero novel. Isn't the superpower the plot? I mean, yeah, but only for the last 50ish pages. And at that, it was just glossed over.
Y'all, what am I here for if not for something to happen? I mean sure there were other...character focused plots. But. They were also really boring and nothing happened in them either. Also, what's-her-name, the Main Character who I don't care about, tried so hard to be morally grey and failed. She was all 'I'm not like other girls, I'm an activist, I encourage my mom be friends with people I know to be dangerous criminals'. Maybe the last one isn't generic but the girl's a dumbass.
For the snippets of plot that we did get, it was heavily predictable. Imagine someone heard of the phrase 'Chekov's gun' and proceeded to make a character named Chekov holding a gun saying 'I'm going to use this <3'.
Bored of me talking? me too. The pictures were pretty. The writing was...not for me. I liked the diversity, though.
October 13, 2021
I felt really conflicted about this graphic novel because there were some good things happening in it, but also a lot of bad too.
I particularly loved the surprise cameos from characters like Black Canary and Killer Croc. The Riddler and Poison Ivy were also welcomed additions to this graphic novel, although I did find they were more jokey, pale imitations that lacked the wholeness other depictions of them usually have.
The art was one of the major box-tickers. It had beautiful art with a wonderful colouring style. The colour palette was so aesthetic and captivating.
But amongst the things that were sketchy were the protagonist, the pacing, and the writing itself.
Surprisingly, the protagonist had very loose morals. She flip-flopped between feeling bad for earning money via illegal and harmful means, and happily spending that money. One second she was shocked to discover people she considered to be friends were in actuality bad guys, but then she blinked and pretended it never happened, continuing to act completely normal around them. There was a genuine lack of character integrity and logic. The loose morality was very confusing and made the plot seem simply lazy and weak.
The pacing was an issue too. There was an obsession with showing the passage of time by single digit minutes which I found became quickly tiring and absurd. At one point it showed the protagonist didn’t sleep all night, yet somehow wasn’t even tired the next day.
And then so much time was spent on the setup for the protagonist’s powers that she didn’t have her powers for longer than one encounter with some bad guys. Not to mention that her costume looked nondescript, her logo basic, and her name was an uninspired choice. Her powers were actually quite cool, but they suited reconnaissance, the kind that would make her invaluable in a team. Otherwise, she was a pretty laughable hero, to the point that her big “showdown” involved her threatening a villain with scissors (what?) and a bunch of stray dogs (seriously?). Once again, there was the evidence of a lack of integrity in both plot and character.
Lastly, the writing was not great. It was so stiff and woody and, worst of all, try-hard. Everything were short statements and two or three word sentences. After a while it felt as though no dialogue had heartfelt meaning and it completely killed any scenes with even the slightest emotion in them.
So, in all, this was a read I’m still confused about. It had some stumbles, but in the end it was certainly saved by its art.
I particularly loved the surprise cameos from characters like Black Canary and Killer Croc. The Riddler and Poison Ivy were also welcomed additions to this graphic novel, although I did find they were more jokey, pale imitations that lacked the wholeness other depictions of them usually have.
The art was one of the major box-tickers. It had beautiful art with a wonderful colouring style. The colour palette was so aesthetic and captivating.
But amongst the things that were sketchy were the protagonist, the pacing, and the writing itself.
Surprisingly, the protagonist had very loose morals. She flip-flopped between feeling bad for earning money via illegal and harmful means, and happily spending that money. One second she was shocked to discover people she considered to be friends were in actuality bad guys, but then she blinked and pretended it never happened, continuing to act completely normal around them. There was a genuine lack of character integrity and logic. The loose morality was very confusing and made the plot seem simply lazy and weak.
The pacing was an issue too. There was an obsession with showing the passage of time by single digit minutes which I found became quickly tiring and absurd. At one point it showed the protagonist didn’t sleep all night, yet somehow wasn’t even tired the next day.
And then so much time was spent on the setup for the protagonist’s powers that she didn’t have her powers for longer than one encounter with some bad guys. Not to mention that her costume looked nondescript, her logo basic, and her name was an uninspired choice. Her powers were actually quite cool, but they suited reconnaissance, the kind that would make her invaluable in a team. Otherwise, she was a pretty laughable hero, to the point that her big “showdown” involved her threatening a villain with scissors (what?) and a bunch of stray dogs (seriously?). Once again, there was the evidence of a lack of integrity in both plot and character.
Lastly, the writing was not great. It was so stiff and woody and, worst of all, try-hard. Everything were short statements and two or three word sentences. After a while it felt as though no dialogue had heartfelt meaning and it completely killed any scenes with even the slightest emotion in them.
So, in all, this was a read I’m still confused about. It had some stumbles, but in the end it was certainly saved by its art.
February 3, 2022
Brilliant! A very new hero, a new kind of hero almost, and I loved her! And her dog!
Gotham has always seemed like such a crappy place to live, and I swear every time I read a Batman comic it's just all about his angst, The Joker, and/or Penguin. But this story was more than that. What about having to go to school and live your life in one of the worst areas of the city? How hard is it to hide a secret identity? How futile to make your corner of the world better? Lots of big questions, but it wasn't a heavy read at all. I basically went from not having heard of this book to wanting to recommend it to everyone in 200 pages.
Gotham has always seemed like such a crappy place to live, and I swear every time I read a Batman comic it's just all about his angst, The Joker, and/or Penguin. But this story was more than that. What about having to go to school and live your life in one of the worst areas of the city? How hard is it to hide a secret identity? How futile to make your corner of the world better? Lots of big questions, but it wasn't a heavy read at all. I basically went from not having heard of this book to wanting to recommend it to everyone in 200 pages.
February 13, 2022
I took a chance. It didn't work out. This story works hard for its moral ambiguity. Willow has a lot of pressures, starting with her mother having cancer and no insurance. So she makes a deal with the devil, sort of. She helps criminals in a kind of administrative way and reaps the rewards to help her mom. Which is how she becomes privy to some of their secrets. And gets in the way of an attack that gives her somewhat minor superpowers.
I liked that she was openly, and believably Jewish. And that she drew strength, spiritual and moral, from her faith tradition, including becoming more devout as she tries to find her way. But I don't like her choices and that includes deliberately remaining in her administrative/support role with bad guys just to keep the money rolling in. And, oh yeah, become friends with them, establishing trusting relationships with them . . . so that she can betray them. The story actually does a good job supporting her choices and the moral path she's weaving. I just don't like them or the twisting it's going to do to her as she digs herself deeper.
I'm not so much a fan of the worldbuilding, either. Gotham was never a great place to live, but I have to wonder what's keeping these people there? I mean, poverty and violence with the occasional mutation seems like more than I'd want to stick around for. And it doesn't help that the bad guy plot is . This is the great evil Willow is fighting? Sure, urban terrorism to get there is bad. But the goal is just so... sigh.
Anyway, in the end, it just didn't grab me. It's well-written and vivid. So I'm going with three stars and the caveat that it's mostly just that it's not my thing.
I liked that she was openly, and believably Jewish. And that she drew strength, spiritual and moral, from her faith tradition, including becoming more devout as she tries to find her way. But I don't like her choices and that includes deliberately remaining in her administrative/support role with bad guys just to keep the money rolling in. And, oh yeah, become friends with them, establishing trusting relationships with them . . . so that she can betray them. The story actually does a good job supporting her choices and the moral path she's weaving. I just don't like them or the twisting it's going to do to her as she digs herself deeper.
I'm not so much a fan of the worldbuilding, either. Gotham was never a great place to live, but I have to wonder what's keeping these people there? I mean, poverty and violence with the occasional mutation seems like more than I'd want to stick around for. And it doesn't help that the bad guy plot is . This is the great evil Willow is fighting? Sure, urban terrorism to get there is bad. But the goal is just so... sigh.
Anyway, in the end, it just didn't grab me. It's well-written and vivid. So I'm going with three stars and the caveat that it's mostly just that it's not my thing.
April 10, 2022
3.5⭐️
I'm seriously loving DC's modern line of graphic novels for young adults! I absolutely had to pick this one up after seeing E. Lockhart's name and it was such an engaging one-sitting read. As always, the artwork is FIRE and worthy of 5 stars 🔥
This is the origin story of a new superhero named Whistle, but also has appearances by beloved DC icons such as The Riddler, Poison Ivy and Killer Croc. There are even cameos of Harley Quinn and Black Canary. I loved how this is also a coming-of-age story; Whistle felt very relatable as a teenage girl juggling school, love and life. The story also covers a wide range of themes such as gentrification and the poverty gap.
While I enjoyed the moral ambiguity, I ended up liking the villains so much that I kind of wanted them to triumph in this book. Whistle's special abilities didn't seem that impressive, especially next to Poison Ivy, who was a far more outstanding character to me. The plot was rather flat as well, with no solid conclusion as Whistle simply goes back to life as it is after a very short climax. Even the romance side of things felt unfulfilling.
Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this graphic novel despite its untapped potential. Can't wait to see what DC comes up with next!
I'm seriously loving DC's modern line of graphic novels for young adults! I absolutely had to pick this one up after seeing E. Lockhart's name and it was such an engaging one-sitting read. As always, the artwork is FIRE and worthy of 5 stars 🔥
This is the origin story of a new superhero named Whistle, but also has appearances by beloved DC icons such as The Riddler, Poison Ivy and Killer Croc. There are even cameos of Harley Quinn and Black Canary. I loved how this is also a coming-of-age story; Whistle felt very relatable as a teenage girl juggling school, love and life. The story also covers a wide range of themes such as gentrification and the poverty gap.
While I enjoyed the moral ambiguity, I ended up liking the villains so much that I kind of wanted them to triumph in this book. Whistle's special abilities didn't seem that impressive, especially next to Poison Ivy, who was a far more outstanding character to me. The plot was rather flat as well, with no solid conclusion as Whistle simply goes back to life as it is after a very short climax. Even the romance side of things felt unfulfilling.
Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this graphic novel despite its untapped potential. Can't wait to see what DC comes up with next!
September 5, 2021
Content Warnings at end of review.
Thank you to DC Comics for Young Readers for an advanced copy of this book! I will also be interviewing the author on my instagram on September 12, so be on the lookout!
In a run-down neighborhood of Gotham City, Willow Zimmerman believes that you have to stand up for what you think is right. But her morals take a back burner when she decides to work a...less than legal job with an old family friend in order to make money for her mother's medical bills. When she finds out the people she is working for are even worse than she suspects, she will have to decide what she is willing to do to save her neighborhood.
This graphic novel takes a few familiar faces from DC (The Riddler, Poison Ivy, and Killer Croc) and gives us a new origin story for Whistle (and her amazing canine sidekick). I will admit I'm not super familiar with DC comic lore, but I enjoyed the tidbits that I did recognize. This, like the others in this new series of Graphic Novels for Young Adults, stands on its own without needing prior knowledge of the greater universe!
I really like Willow and the morally grey area and crisis of conscience she goes through in this book. She has a clear journey that she has to take and I thought it rounded out very nicely. I LOVE Willow's character design. She looks so good and the costume is awesome! I also think the illustrations did a great job capturing the changes Willow goes through throughout the book!
I can't wait to see more about Whistle!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Terminal illness, Medical content, Violence, and Mental illness
Thank you to DC Comics for Young Readers for an advanced copy of this book! I will also be interviewing the author on my instagram on September 12, so be on the lookout!
In a run-down neighborhood of Gotham City, Willow Zimmerman believes that you have to stand up for what you think is right. But her morals take a back burner when she decides to work a...less than legal job with an old family friend in order to make money for her mother's medical bills. When she finds out the people she is working for are even worse than she suspects, she will have to decide what she is willing to do to save her neighborhood.
This graphic novel takes a few familiar faces from DC (The Riddler, Poison Ivy, and Killer Croc) and gives us a new origin story for Whistle (and her amazing canine sidekick). I will admit I'm not super familiar with DC comic lore, but I enjoyed the tidbits that I did recognize. This, like the others in this new series of Graphic Novels for Young Adults, stands on its own without needing prior knowledge of the greater universe!
I really like Willow and the morally grey area and crisis of conscience she goes through in this book. She has a clear journey that she has to take and I thought it rounded out very nicely. I LOVE Willow's character design. She looks so good and the costume is awesome! I also think the illustrations did a great job capturing the changes Willow goes through throughout the book!
I can't wait to see more about Whistle!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Terminal illness, Medical content, Violence, and Mental illness
February 5, 2024
Cute, but ridiculous. This requires the same suspension of disbelief that people cannot recognize Clark Kent as Superman, because of the glasses. People who know her, don't recognize Whistle's voice?
Anyway, cute.
Anyway, cute.
March 28, 2023
WHISTLE by E. Lockhart is an interesting graphic novel that follows the journey of Willow Zimmerman, a 16-year-old girl who is struggling to make ends meet while taking care of her mother, who has been diagnosed with cancer. Willow's life changes drastically when she reconnects with her estranged "uncle" Edward, who provides her with the means to afford medical treatment for her mother. However, as she becomes more involved in Edward's illegal activities, Willow's relationships with those she cares about are strained. The story takes a supernatural turn when Willow and a Great Dane named Lebowitz, gain powers after a violent encounter with Killer Croc. The newfound abilities give Willow the chance to make a difference in her community, but she must decide whether to stay loyal to Edward or stand up against his corrupt actions.
This graphic novel will appeal to a young audience. It was great to see some of the Gotham City Villains make cameo appearances throughout the novel. The artwork by Manuel Preitano is great and captures the essence of the story. Overall, it was a good story that covers themes such as family, activism, and corruption.
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May 1, 2022
Gotham City isn't especially appealing to me. I like my Batman to consist of a lot of fabulous actors having a good time hamming it up. Superheroes and vampires have no business being all angsty in the 21st century unless they are trapped in high school. Contra that Lockhart has almost always delighted me, and this is actually a new hero who is, in fact, in high school. Angst is permitted.
And there is quite a bit since Willow's mother is trying to beat cancer without insurance in the US and without anyone providing any kind of support except Willow. This is not good. And then, too there's Down River being destroyed by failing infrastructure and underfunded education. But Willow has dogs and a strong Jewish neighborhood on her side.
Most of the religions I can think of do not really work well with a world inhabited by superbeings with weird-ass traits. But I am totally down with religion as a shorthand for culture.
It works, because there is nothing a determined 16 year old girl with a really big dog can't accomplish.
Library copy
And there is quite a bit since Willow's mother is trying to beat cancer without insurance in the US and without anyone providing any kind of support except Willow. This is not good. And then, too there's Down River being destroyed by failing infrastructure and underfunded education. But Willow has dogs and a strong Jewish neighborhood on her side.
Most of the religions I can think of do not really work well with a world inhabited by superbeings with weird-ass traits. But I am totally down with religion as a shorthand for culture.
It works, because there is nothing a determined 16 year old girl with a really big dog can't accomplish.
Library copy
September 11, 2021
Whistle is a graphic novel written by E. Lockhart and illustrated by Manuel Preitano. It centers on a Jewish social activist who loves dogs, who would become DC Comic's newest superhero.
High school junior Willow Zimmerman, who is Jewish and light-skinned, balances her time between classes, caring for her ailing mother Naomi, and protesting City Hall's refusal to address recent anonymous greening attacks that have covered major community centers with vegetation.
When Naomi's old friend E. Nigma returns to Down River, Gotham, he reconnects with Willow first, offering her a job running his poker nights for Gotham's elite. As Willow inadvertently allows her relationships with her mother and friends – including love interest Garfield Logan, who is Black to fall to the wayside, she discovers the true extent of E.'s undertakings.
Whistle is written and constructed rather well. Lockhart establishes compelling drama as Willow attempts to justify the criminal activity funding her mother's cancer treatments, but recognizable DC characters and superhero elements crowd the narrative to the extent that Willow's major character moments lack adequate space to shine. However, Preitano excels at bringing the Gotham urban landscape with colorist Metzler's muted oranges and poppy teals adding atmosphere to Willow's typical origin story.
All in all, Whistle is an intriguing introduction to an equally intriguing new superhero.
High school junior Willow Zimmerman, who is Jewish and light-skinned, balances her time between classes, caring for her ailing mother Naomi, and protesting City Hall's refusal to address recent anonymous greening attacks that have covered major community centers with vegetation.
When Naomi's old friend E. Nigma returns to Down River, Gotham, he reconnects with Willow first, offering her a job running his poker nights for Gotham's elite. As Willow inadvertently allows her relationships with her mother and friends – including love interest Garfield Logan, who is Black to fall to the wayside, she discovers the true extent of E.'s undertakings.
Whistle is written and constructed rather well. Lockhart establishes compelling drama as Willow attempts to justify the criminal activity funding her mother's cancer treatments, but recognizable DC characters and superhero elements crowd the narrative to the extent that Willow's major character moments lack adequate space to shine. However, Preitano excels at bringing the Gotham urban landscape with colorist Metzler's muted oranges and poppy teals adding atmosphere to Willow's typical origin story.
All in all, Whistle is an intriguing introduction to an equally intriguing new superhero.
February 26, 2021
I continue to be impressed by what DC Comics is doing with their YA graphic novels to draw in a younger audience, especially young women.
I’ve enjoyed a lot of the graphic novels from this DC subset, but Whistle might be my favorite to date.
I adore E. Lockhart’s work and was thrilled to find that she was one of the authors working with DC. The results definitely don’t disappoint.
I love how Lockhart threaded Whistle’s origin story through Willow’s connections to the Riddler and Poison Ivy. Willow’s situation at home presents an interesting conundrum of what types of actions become justifiable if they somehow help our loved ones, and how we atone for whatever guilt we feel as a result.
And of course, the best part of Willow/Whistle’ s story? Her superpower has made her into some kind of hybrid of a dog and a person who attracts and commands dogs! Not sure I can think of a better superpower than that.
Let’s discuss the art for a moment, because it was outstanding. I love the way Manuel Preitano tendered both Gorham and its citizens, and his style and color palette were absolutely perfect for the story.
I do wish that Lebowitz/The Hound had gotten more dialogue, but perhaps that will come in further installments.
Speaking of, I do hope that said further installments actually happen. It seems that DC is producing a lot of these YA origin story graphic novels about a huge variety of characters, but so far not much in the way of series continuations.
I suppose they’re going for high volume and then seeing which get the most buzz, but it’s a little disappointing to consistently invest in/become attached to these only to see the series never progress beyond one graphic novel.
I hope this changes in the future, and I especially hope this particular story gets green lit to continue. I need more of Whistle and The Hound!
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
May 9, 2022
I love E. Lockhart's writing so I was excited for this but it didn't quite hit right for me. I think basically Gotham is kind of a silly place but we're all collectively willing to give a lot of stuff a pass because it's so familiar to us, but trying to create an entirely new DC hero just sort of makes the silly-to-gritty ratio...jarring.
I did really like the bit of world building about the Jewish history of Gotham.
The part about Willow's virtuous mom refusing to accept financial help from her former friend THE RIDDLER but asking like, zero questions about Willow suddenly getting a very well-paying job at an animal shelter was....straining my credulity....idk! Not to mention that Willow herself seemed to have a really...uneven characterization.
The art was cute. The dogs were cute. Younger teens who are into dogs and/or looking for more Jewish role models will probably enjoy this.
I did really like the bit of world building about the Jewish history of Gotham.
The part about Willow's virtuous mom refusing to accept financial help from her former friend THE RIDDLER but asking like, zero questions about Willow suddenly getting a very well-paying job at an animal shelter was....straining my credulity....idk! Not to mention that Willow herself seemed to have a really...uneven characterization.
The art was cute. The dogs were cute. Younger teens who are into dogs and/or looking for more Jewish role models will probably enjoy this.
August 3, 2022
Whistle was really enjoyable. I had to shut my brain down from trying to fit it into any larger continuity. It is a separate thing, and works great that way. No reader will feel lost with the story or characters. Those who are familiar will get a kick out of seeing these characters in a new light. The art was beautiful; a soft, warm feel to it. It matched the slower, more intimate pacing of the story . Things did feel a little unresolved at the end, but overall, I had a great time with Whistle.
October 7, 2022
Rowan was right: this one’s stupid. Is this why DC bows to Marvel? I wanted to like it, but it feels like they had to reinvent a character a la Ms Marvel, went and bought all the ingredients, and sold us the very underwhelming result.
October 28, 2024
(3.3) Really HIGH expectations but there wasn’t anything spectacular (or bad) about it. The social activism aspect was a good touch but the direct connection to our heroine was a bit of a reach. The relevancy of the superpower is there but that’s about it.
January 29, 2022
If anything were to happen to Lebowitz, I would kill everyone in this room and then myself.
February 10, 2022
Beautiful art, cool story but the finale is subpar...
December 19, 2021
What should have been a cute YA superhero book ended up being a kind of offensive and bad superhero story.
I loved the art but had issues with everything else.
Buckle in.
Jewish stuff:
Willow's mother is a professor of Jewish culture and history, so when Willow is walking with Garfield around Down River, she says "Down River is all about the delicatessen. It used to be an all-Jewish neighborhood and had more than five hundred synagogues back in, like, 1915." (Pg. 14) Garfield, like me, is unbelieving. He asks, "Five hundred?", but Willow doesn't respond.
How many friggin Jews lived in one neighborhood to warrant FIVE HUNDRED SYNAGOGUES? I'm sorry, what?! No way. Not even in a fictional Jewish fairytale land would there be enough Jews in one neighborhood to warrant FIFTY synagogues, let alone FIVE HUNDRED. How many Jews does E. Lockhart think there are in this world, let alone the fictional neighborhood of Down River, Gotham in 1915?!
Ok, so Willow is walking Garfield to the Rosen Brothers Deli to get a Reuben sandwich (corned beef, melted swiss cheese and sauerkraut), which is super not kosher btw. That's fine. But later in the book, Willow finds out that the Rosen Brothers Deli is the next "greening" target by overhearing E. Nigma say "Pammie's next target, therefore, will be greened on Saturday morning. So get your fill of pastrami before they close for Shabbat." (Pg. 153)
Non-kosher stores do not close for Shabbat.
One of the requirements for a kosher restaurant's hechsher (kosher certification) is to be closed on Shabbat/the Sabbath. If you are not kosher, you don't need to be closed on Shabbat. Simple. But it's small stuff like this that just gets to me.
E. Lockhart Tweeted that she is a "Jewish atheist. Culturally Jewish but nonbelieving." That's a super valid identity (I mean, she doesn't need my validation, but there it is.), but if her "cultural Judaism" is just kosher-style food and Jewish guilt (Pg. 129), that doesn't really represent me or Jewish culture.
Especially, the misrepresentation of what a mitzvah is.
On page 26, Willow comes home to her mom to tell her that she tried to help someone at the site of another greening. Her mom says, "That was a mitzvah.", and Willow responds, "It was an attempt at a mitzvah. You can't do a good deed if a police officer tells you to run along home."
I think the concept of "mitzvah" gets mistaken as a "good deed" a lot in American translation because some "mitzvot" (plural of mitzvah) are seen as ethically good, like giving charity and not embarrassing others, but a mitzvah is a commandment from the Torah, like, don't eat meat from a non-kosher animal, destroy idolatry, and don't work on Rosh Hashanah, etc. Mitzvot aren't "good deeds", or "bad", they just are.
Same with Willow saying, "This is supposed to be a mitzvah, you goof. Not a massacre." (Pg. 157) Regarding fighting the greening of Down River. Again, that would be a "good deed", not a mitzvah.
Later on in the book, Willow walks into "Remson Street Synagogue", which is based on/looks exactly like Eldridge Street Synagogue, which is a museum, and you can't just walk into it, but OK. Willow walks in during the daytime and then leaves after dark. The stray dog she calls "Lebowitz" finds her, and this is as good a point as any to say that I hate that she (E. Lockhart) named the dog "Lebowitz". I love dogs, but dogs should get dog names. I have friends with the last name Lebowitz, and it's not cute to name a dog a Jewish last name just to give your book more Jewish cred. It's weird. And it reads like a cheap way for Lockhart to make this book "sound" more Jewish without actually making it more substantively Jewish.
Art stuff:
I liked the art by Manuel Preitano. It reminded me of his book The Oracle Code, but with much prettier colors.
I liked the little hearts drawn over Willow's head and Garfield's head while they were talking to each other. Very cute.
I also liked all the "Easter eggs", like Killer Croc under the bridge on the little map of Down River, Gotham, the Zur-en-Arrh and the "Harley wuz here" graffiti, and most notably a guy who looks very much like The Penguin riding the subway with Willow and Pammie Isley on page 76, and a young girl in a wheelchair who looks very much like Barbara Gordon (the way she was drawn in The Oracle Code) on page 77.
Story stuff:
Whistle starts off with Willow Zimmerman taking part in social activism, caring about her school and her community, and befriending a cute new boy.
Willow is at a rally for the community and her friend Graciela and boyfriend, Liam, are there but have no idea what they're marching for. Can anyone actually be that stupid?
When Willow reminds them, Liam says to Graciela (in front of Willow), "Your friend is mad smart, but she talks too much." AND GRACIELA RESPONDS, "So much." OMG, what a b*tch!
How is Willow even "friends" with Graciela (and Liam)?! They are not supportive, they don't take any interest in her interests, and actively seem to not know anything about her, or care.
They are written into this story just to play pretend that Willow has a life in school outside of this story with E. Nigma.
Even Garfield (adorable, though he is) is only in this story to show how swept up Willow gets in her job as a game runner by ignoring him.
And I don't even know where to start with Willow as a game runner... Let's try to count all the ways it's messed up: 1. Willow gets home from work at 1:22 AM. She sees and solves (by 3:15 AM) a puzzle she finds in her house left to her secretly by E. Nigma, her mom's ex-friend, who is an adult male. 2. Willow goes out at 3:30 AM(!!) by herself to find E. Nigma, and then 3. It's somehow 5:30 AM(!!!) when she finds him (Pg.54), and he's totally OK with the late night/early morning visit and was seemingly waiting up for her to solve the puzzle, and 4. She thinks that was a totally cool and normal way for him to get in touch with her (But how did he get the puzzle in her apartment to begin with?!). 5. And then she goes to school on 0 hours of sleep. And continues to do that when she's a game runner, and not once does she fall flat on her face exhausted by getting 0 hours of sleep continuously. ?!
Back to "Lebowitz". I love dogs, so I seriously didn't get why Willow didn't try to rescue "Lebowitz" once the entire book. She feeds her (and says she can't take her home) but doesn't even attempt to take her to a shelter so she could get off the streets... & I don't get it. Especially once Willow starts working at a shelter and "Lebowitz" shows up to gets treats/fed right outside the door! It's not like dogs know how to cross-city streets safely. Why doesn't Willow even try to save this stray dog/get her adopted through the shelter?
Onto the powers. Ok, so both "Lebowitz" and Willow get scratched by Killer Croc and somehow Willow now has dog powers? She can smell and hear really well and can "talk" with "Lebowitz" and call other dogs to come to her. Cool powers, but how did Croc give them to her?
Super weak to non-existent story building here. Falling into a vat of radioactive goop or even the fortune cookie magic from Freaky Friday is a better origins story than getting scratched by Killer Croc and a little part of Willow going into "Lebowitz" and a little part of "Lebowitz" going into Willow....
So, Willow dresses up in a nondescript superhero outfit and brings her craft scissors along(!!) to fight Poison Ivy & Riddler. She wears a tiny domino mask, and neither of them recognize her (or her voice)! Which is so lame. And then, and then Willow continues to work for Nigma after that!! I. Don't. Get. It.
This story.
I'm just flabbergasted.
2 stars for a weak plot, bad Jewish representation, poor character building, and pretty art.
I loved the art but had issues with everything else.
Buckle in.
Jewish stuff:
Willow's mother is a professor of Jewish culture and history, so when Willow is walking with Garfield around Down River, she says "Down River is all about the delicatessen. It used to be an all-Jewish neighborhood and had more than five hundred synagogues back in, like, 1915." (Pg. 14) Garfield, like me, is unbelieving. He asks, "Five hundred?", but Willow doesn't respond.
How many friggin Jews lived in one neighborhood to warrant FIVE HUNDRED SYNAGOGUES? I'm sorry, what?! No way. Not even in a fictional Jewish fairytale land would there be enough Jews in one neighborhood to warrant FIFTY synagogues, let alone FIVE HUNDRED. How many Jews does E. Lockhart think there are in this world, let alone the fictional neighborhood of Down River, Gotham in 1915?!
Ok, so Willow is walking Garfield to the Rosen Brothers Deli to get a Reuben sandwich (corned beef, melted swiss cheese and sauerkraut), which is super not kosher btw. That's fine. But later in the book, Willow finds out that the Rosen Brothers Deli is the next "greening" target by overhearing E. Nigma say "Pammie's next target, therefore, will be greened on Saturday morning. So get your fill of pastrami before they close for Shabbat." (Pg. 153)
Non-kosher stores do not close for Shabbat.
One of the requirements for a kosher restaurant's hechsher (kosher certification) is to be closed on Shabbat/the Sabbath. If you are not kosher, you don't need to be closed on Shabbat. Simple. But it's small stuff like this that just gets to me.
E. Lockhart Tweeted that she is a "Jewish atheist. Culturally Jewish but nonbelieving." That's a super valid identity (I mean, she doesn't need my validation, but there it is.), but if her "cultural Judaism" is just kosher-style food and Jewish guilt (Pg. 129), that doesn't really represent me or Jewish culture.
Especially, the misrepresentation of what a mitzvah is.
On page 26, Willow comes home to her mom to tell her that she tried to help someone at the site of another greening. Her mom says, "That was a mitzvah.", and Willow responds, "It was an attempt at a mitzvah. You can't do a good deed if a police officer tells you to run along home."
I think the concept of "mitzvah" gets mistaken as a "good deed" a lot in American translation because some "mitzvot" (plural of mitzvah) are seen as ethically good, like giving charity and not embarrassing others, but a mitzvah is a commandment from the Torah, like, don't eat meat from a non-kosher animal, destroy idolatry, and don't work on Rosh Hashanah, etc. Mitzvot aren't "good deeds", or "bad", they just are.
Same with Willow saying, "This is supposed to be a mitzvah, you goof. Not a massacre." (Pg. 157) Regarding fighting the greening of Down River. Again, that would be a "good deed", not a mitzvah.
Later on in the book, Willow walks into "Remson Street Synagogue", which is based on/looks exactly like Eldridge Street Synagogue, which is a museum, and you can't just walk into it, but OK. Willow walks in during the daytime and then leaves after dark. The stray dog she calls "Lebowitz" finds her, and this is as good a point as any to say that I hate that she (E. Lockhart) named the dog "Lebowitz". I love dogs, but dogs should get dog names. I have friends with the last name Lebowitz, and it's not cute to name a dog a Jewish last name just to give your book more Jewish cred. It's weird. And it reads like a cheap way for Lockhart to make this book "sound" more Jewish without actually making it more substantively Jewish.
Art stuff:
I liked the art by Manuel Preitano. It reminded me of his book The Oracle Code, but with much prettier colors.
I liked the little hearts drawn over Willow's head and Garfield's head while they were talking to each other. Very cute.
I also liked all the "Easter eggs", like Killer Croc under the bridge on the little map of Down River, Gotham, the Zur-en-Arrh and the "Harley wuz here" graffiti, and most notably a guy who looks very much like The Penguin riding the subway with Willow and Pammie Isley on page 76, and a young girl in a wheelchair who looks very much like Barbara Gordon (the way she was drawn in The Oracle Code) on page 77.
Story stuff:
Whistle starts off with Willow Zimmerman taking part in social activism, caring about her school and her community, and befriending a cute new boy.
Willow is at a rally for the community and her friend Graciela and boyfriend, Liam, are there but have no idea what they're marching for. Can anyone actually be that stupid?
When Willow reminds them, Liam says to Graciela (in front of Willow), "Your friend is mad smart, but she talks too much." AND GRACIELA RESPONDS, "So much." OMG, what a b*tch!
How is Willow even "friends" with Graciela (and Liam)?! They are not supportive, they don't take any interest in her interests, and actively seem to not know anything about her, or care.
They are written into this story just to play pretend that Willow has a life in school outside of this story with E. Nigma.
Even Garfield (adorable, though he is) is only in this story to show how swept up Willow gets in her job as a game runner by ignoring him.
And I don't even know where to start with Willow as a game runner... Let's try to count all the ways it's messed up: 1. Willow gets home from work at 1:22 AM. She sees and solves (by 3:15 AM) a puzzle she finds in her house left to her secretly by E. Nigma, her mom's ex-friend, who is an adult male. 2. Willow goes out at 3:30 AM(!!) by herself to find E. Nigma, and then 3. It's somehow 5:30 AM(!!!) when she finds him (Pg.54), and he's totally OK with the late night/early morning visit and was seemingly waiting up for her to solve the puzzle, and 4. She thinks that was a totally cool and normal way for him to get in touch with her (But how did he get the puzzle in her apartment to begin with?!). 5. And then she goes to school on 0 hours of sleep. And continues to do that when she's a game runner, and not once does she fall flat on her face exhausted by getting 0 hours of sleep continuously. ?!
Back to "Lebowitz". I love dogs, so I seriously didn't get why Willow didn't try to rescue "Lebowitz" once the entire book. She feeds her (and says she can't take her home) but doesn't even attempt to take her to a shelter so she could get off the streets... & I don't get it. Especially once Willow starts working at a shelter and "Lebowitz" shows up to gets treats/fed right outside the door! It's not like dogs know how to cross-city streets safely. Why doesn't Willow even try to save this stray dog/get her adopted through the shelter?
Onto the powers. Ok, so both "Lebowitz" and Willow get scratched by Killer Croc and somehow Willow now has dog powers? She can smell and hear really well and can "talk" with "Lebowitz" and call other dogs to come to her. Cool powers, but how did Croc give them to her?
Super weak to non-existent story building here. Falling into a vat of radioactive goop or even the fortune cookie magic from Freaky Friday is a better origins story than getting scratched by Killer Croc and a little part of Willow going into "Lebowitz" and a little part of "Lebowitz" going into Willow....
So, Willow dresses up in a nondescript superhero outfit and brings her craft scissors along(!!) to fight Poison Ivy & Riddler. She wears a tiny domino mask, and neither of them recognize her (or her voice)! Which is so lame. And then, and then Willow continues to work for Nigma after that!! I. Don't. Get. It.
This story.
I'm just flabbergasted.
2 stars for a weak plot, bad Jewish representation, poor character building, and pretty art.
September 21, 2021
E. Lockhart and Manuel Preitano's YA graphic novel Whistle introduces us to Willow Zimmerman, our first Jewish superhero in many decades. Willow and her mom live in Down River, a historically Jewish part of Gotham that is also original to this graphic novel - but feels like it's always existed.
Willow is a likable character, clearly meant to be relatable for YA readers of our time. She is deeply caring, strong willed but not without her flaws, and passionate about justice for her community. Plus, her dog is named Fran after Fran Lebowitz - how can you not love that? Willow's idealistic values are suddenly at odds with helping her sick mom, when she becomes assistant to E. Nigma. Her (Ashkenazi) Jewishness is intrinsic and authentic, and there are great scenes at both a synagogue and a delicatessen. However it does miss an opportunity to show a non-Ashekanzi Jewish character, of whom there are few to none in comics.
I liked the arrangement of Gotham's rogue gallery in Down River, especially Lockhart's treatment of E Nigma aka The Riddler and his personal connection to Willow and her mom. "Pammie" Isley was a little less inspired, but still fun. However the weakest link was Killer Croc and this is where the spoilers begin.
There are plenty of outlandish ways superheroes have gotten their powers, but it was still quite a stretch in this book. It's never explained how Killer Croc is the cause behind both Willow and her dog Fran's superpowers; and he immediately disappears afterwards. I think the "dog superpowers" was amusing and YA readers might like it, but I couldn't really take it seriously; there seemed to be more jokes about Willow trying to sniff her friends, than developing Fran's personality and her relationship with Willow.
Unfortunately Fran was a forgettable character, even within the realm of superhero animal characters, and her point of view was sorely missing (like in Fraction and Aja's Hawkeye). The central arc was clearly between Willow and Nigma, not Willow and Fran - not the worst thing, but maybe not what Lockhart was going for, and probably less compelling for young readers.
Preitano's art is really fantastic. It's a fun almost retro style along with the cool color palette, and his expressions will appeal to younger readers without looking too cartoony. A lot of the fun cameos are nicely subtle visuals, and I noticed that Willow's hair changes as her choices begin to misalign with her values which was a nice touch.
Overall it's a fun, cute and well-illustrated graphic novel, great for YA readers, easy to finish in one sitting. Even though the story is a little lacking, I hope this means we will see more of Willow and Down River fleshed out in future stories.
Willow is a likable character, clearly meant to be relatable for YA readers of our time. She is deeply caring, strong willed but not without her flaws, and passionate about justice for her community. Plus, her dog is named Fran after Fran Lebowitz - how can you not love that? Willow's idealistic values are suddenly at odds with helping her sick mom, when she becomes assistant to E. Nigma. Her (Ashkenazi) Jewishness is intrinsic and authentic, and there are great scenes at both a synagogue and a delicatessen. However it does miss an opportunity to show a non-Ashekanzi Jewish character, of whom there are few to none in comics.
I liked the arrangement of Gotham's rogue gallery in Down River, especially Lockhart's treatment of E Nigma aka The Riddler and his personal connection to Willow and her mom. "Pammie" Isley was a little less inspired, but still fun. However the weakest link was Killer Croc and this is where the spoilers begin.
There are plenty of outlandish ways superheroes have gotten their powers, but it was still quite a stretch in this book. It's never explained how Killer Croc is the cause behind both Willow and her dog Fran's superpowers; and he immediately disappears afterwards. I think the "dog superpowers" was amusing and YA readers might like it, but I couldn't really take it seriously; there seemed to be more jokes about Willow trying to sniff her friends, than developing Fran's personality and her relationship with Willow.
Unfortunately Fran was a forgettable character, even within the realm of superhero animal characters, and her point of view was sorely missing (like in Fraction and Aja's Hawkeye). The central arc was clearly between Willow and Nigma, not Willow and Fran - not the worst thing, but maybe not what Lockhart was going for, and probably less compelling for young readers.
Preitano's art is really fantastic. It's a fun almost retro style along with the cool color palette, and his expressions will appeal to younger readers without looking too cartoony. A lot of the fun cameos are nicely subtle visuals, and I noticed that Willow's hair changes as her choices begin to misalign with her values which was a nice touch.
Overall it's a fun, cute and well-illustrated graphic novel, great for YA readers, easy to finish in one sitting. Even though the story is a little lacking, I hope this means we will see more of Willow and Down River fleshed out in future stories.
November 30, 2022
i have read quite a number of YA dc comics & i would have to say that this is personally one of the best ones for me. i thoroughly enjoyed reading it in one sitting!!! rounding this up to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
it centres on a jewish heroine who has so much going on in her life. she is forced to grow up and help with bills & one of her dreams is to get her mom the help she needs as someone who is battling cancer. she also works on petitions to get $$ for education and trying to make her community better.
packed with beautiful illustrations, i really like the colour tones which somehow fit the overall vibes - it captures her emotions v well and really got me hooked in the story. i love how the illustrator incorporates them which help to elevate the reding experience. the art is truly something to appreciate. 😍
the character felt quite unestablished if youre looking into it in a deeper POV but if youre looking it lightheartedly, it can be enjoyable to read + its a heartfelt story about kindness, caring & trying to make the world a better place.
i dont really have high expectations in the first place as this is also e. lockheart's first graphic novel but i kinda like how it turns out!! its so great to hear that he is trying out a different medium and would probably look out for more if he decided to continue trying them out.
it centres on a jewish heroine who has so much going on in her life. she is forced to grow up and help with bills & one of her dreams is to get her mom the help she needs as someone who is battling cancer. she also works on petitions to get $$ for education and trying to make her community better.
packed with beautiful illustrations, i really like the colour tones which somehow fit the overall vibes - it captures her emotions v well and really got me hooked in the story. i love how the illustrator incorporates them which help to elevate the reding experience. the art is truly something to appreciate. 😍
the character felt quite unestablished if youre looking into it in a deeper POV but if youre looking it lightheartedly, it can be enjoyable to read + its a heartfelt story about kindness, caring & trying to make the world a better place.
i dont really have high expectations in the first place as this is also e. lockheart's first graphic novel but i kinda like how it turns out!! its so great to hear that he is trying out a different medium and would probably look out for more if he decided to continue trying them out.
December 8, 2024
Willow loves her neighborhood, Down River, and fights to preserve it with all her might. But as her mother's health worsens, she finds herself turning to an estranged family friend, E Nygma, and
This is a fast-paced read, and I loved the art style, the take on the characters of the Riddler and Poison Ivy, and the development of Down River, an area of Gotham City I haven't seen much of before. Of course, I loved all the dogs.
But the superhero side of the story felt a bit rushed, especially as Willow doesn't get her powers until more than halfway through, and that aspect of things is pretty rushed over. The action sequences were also rather underwhelming. An interesting origin story overall, but I'd have liked a bit more of what one usually expects out of a superhero comic as well.
This is a fast-paced read, and I loved the art style, the take on the characters of the Riddler and Poison Ivy, and the development of Down River, an area of Gotham City I haven't seen much of before. Of course, I loved all the dogs.
But the superhero side of the story felt a bit rushed, especially as Willow doesn't get her powers until more than halfway through, and that aspect of things is pretty rushed over. The action sequences were also rather underwhelming. An interesting origin story overall, but I'd have liked a bit more of what one usually expects out of a superhero comic as well.
January 8, 2022
3.5 stars
I picked this up because of E. Lockhart, and I didn’t realize dogs figured so heavily in it. Yay to that bonus! I liked Willow and Leibovitz a lot, and I would read more of their adventures for sure. The artwork isn’t what drew me, but I liked how the dogs were drawn, especially Leibovitz. I wasn’t as keen on how the humans were drawn or a lot of the color schemes.
It was interesting that Willow’s superhero status didn’t mean she left her questionable job and relationships behind, and I’m curious how long her double-life will last if there are more books.
It didn’t wow me right into space, but it was fun to meet a superhero with these powers.
I picked this up because of E. Lockhart, and I didn’t realize dogs figured so heavily in it. Yay to that bonus! I liked Willow and Leibovitz a lot, and I would read more of their adventures for sure. The artwork isn’t what drew me, but I liked how the dogs were drawn, especially Leibovitz. I wasn’t as keen on how the humans were drawn or a lot of the color schemes.
It was interesting that Willow’s superhero status didn’t mean she left her questionable job and relationships behind, and I’m curious how long her double-life will last if there are more books.
It didn’t wow me right into space, but it was fun to meet a superhero with these powers.
August 25, 2021
RTC for blog.
Thank you to the publisher (DC) for letting me read an early copy. I really loved this one.
Thank you to the publisher (DC) for letting me read an early copy. I really loved this one.
June 14, 2023
I hope Whistle and the Hound are in more stories!
July 25, 2022
I loved this. Completely charming. The story is great, I particularly loved part 4, and the art is fabulous.
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Main character is in high school but nothing that makes this not OK for my sixth grade classroom library.
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Main character is in high school but nothing that makes this not OK for my sixth grade classroom library.
October 19, 2022
Definitely want to read more about Whistle. This was a fun origin story for a new Gotham City hero.
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