Review by Frank Plowright
In the mainstream continuity Nubia was introduced as Wonder Woman’s friend back in the 1970s, and then promptly forgotten beyond an occasional appearance. Belatedly, far too belatedly actually, she’s been revived and given a more prominent role among the Amazons.
Real One is set in an alternate reality and aimed at the young teenage market, beginning with seventeen year old Nubia Johnson hanging out with friends at the convenience store. Shortly after they leave she’s inside when there’s an armed robbery. Things quickly go from bad to worse for Nubia, and she finds herself in the back of a police car. It’s a cleverly written sequence, L.L. McKinney both defining that Nubia has a secret, and spotlighting the all-pervasive low level racism in American society. It’s presented in a way designed to divide thought, as African-American readers will immediately recognise what’s going on, while the penny may not drop for others until it’s discussed a few pages later.
Nubia’s always had super powers, but has been advised to keep them hidden, yet this is a world in which she makes reference to Supergirl and Wonder Woman. It’s the real world that concerns McKinney, though, who sets Real One in a community where a teenager has been shot by the police. Other issues include toxic masculinity, over-parenting, even if from the best of intentions, trial by social media and how the majority always seem to turn a blind eye. Crucially, though, with the primary cast at least, McKinney’s proficient at ensuring we know why people act in a certain way. Nubia herself exemplifies the uncertainty most teenagers experience, what with awkwardness around the guy she fancies, and she has the added burden of her secret.
Character definition is a major strength of artist Robyn Smith, as the personalities of Nubia and her friends glow on every page, whether through the expressions on their faces, or the way they stand. They populate simply drawn, yet full backgrounds, but Smith isn’t as confident when Nubia’s world opens up. With the one intrusion, Real One otherwise remains rooted in reality, at which Smith shines.
McKinney has a fair amount to say, and a lot of practical advice to hand out, yet does this without preaching and while providing a page-turning, character-based drama in which your heart will go out to Nubia. Humanity on this scale being placed at the heart of a drama featuring a super powered person is rare, and while part of DC’s young adult line, readers of their regular series should get a lot out of this as well.
