HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!
Gotham High is a young adult graphic novel, written by Melissa De La Cruz and illustrated by Thomas Pitilli. This beauty is officially out today ( April 7, 2020). Published by DC Comics, this story offers some wonderful twists and insights to our legendary and beloved heroes: Batman, Catwoman, and The Joker.
Thank you so much, DC Comics, for gifting me this book and letting me partner with you on this fantastic novel. I had so much fun reading it.
Check out inside my review, get a peek at the awesome book trailer and imagery from the book (Courtesy of DC Comics).
SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION: DC DEBUTS OFFICIAL BOOK TRAILER FOR GOTHAM HIGH
New Young Adult Graphic Novel by New York Times Bestselling Author Melissa de la Cruz and Artist Thomas Pitilli Hits Stores Everywhere Books are Sold April 7
Staying in? Looking for a new read? DC has your #TBR (To Be Read) pile covered with Gotham High, a new young adult (YA) graphic novel written by Melissa de la Cruz, one of the most popular voices in YA literature, with stunning illustrations from Riverdale comics artist Thomas Pitilli. The book hits stores and online retailers everywhere books are sold today, April 7.
DC debuted the official book trailer a few days ago, check it out!
In Gotham High, De La Cruz and Pitilli bring their signature style to DC to put a contemporary twist on Gotham City, following Bruce Wayne, Selina Kyle, and Jack Napier, and more classic Batman characters, in high school, before they take on their iconic mantles. Complete with love triangles, epic parties, and betrayals at every turn, Gotham High is a thrilling teen drama.
The graphic novel is available for sale on all major retailers. See below for the official synopsis and my review.
Synopsis
From Melissa de la Cruz, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Alex and Eliza and The Witches of East End comes a reimagining of Gotham for a new generation of readers.
After being kicked out of his boarding school, 17-year-old Bruce Wayne returns to Gotham City to find that nothing is as he left it. What once was his family home is now an empty husk, lonely but haunted by the memory of his parents’ murder. Selina Kyle, previously the innocent girl next door, now rules over Gotham High School with a dangerous flair, aided by the class clown, Jack Napier.
When a kidnapping rattles the school, Bruce seeks answers as the dark and troubled knight—or is he actually the pawn? Nothing is ever as it seems, especially at Gotham High, where the parties and romances are of the highest stakes … and where everyone is a suspect.
With evocative art by Thomas Pitilli, this new graphic novel is just as intoxicating as it is chilling, in which dearest friends turn into greatest enemies–all within the hallways of Gotham High!
For more information on Gotham High or the World’s Greatest Super Heroes, visit www.dccomics.com, the DC YouTube channel, or follow @DCComics and @TheDCNation on social media.
Review
Colored by Miquel Muerto
Lettered by Troy Peteri
Gotham High is a YA graphic novel that narrates in a unique way the story of Bruce Wayne, Selina Kyle, and Jack Napier in high school – before they become the famous heroes and villains that we know. This graphic novel is a quick and highly entertaining read. Between love triangles, kidnapping, and betrayal, I was captivated.
About the Story: I really enjoyed the twist in this story. The cultural differences with Bruce being Chinese, Ivy Korean and Selina Hispanic (I believe). It was refreshing to see this cultural variety in a DC Comics story even though it’s difficult to pull off perfectly (i.e. names won’t match the culture…). But it’s a graphic novel so you can’t really go into too many details and this was something I really appreciated. The usual traits of each character were well depicted here. A brooding Wayne, a sneaky Selina… As for Alfred, an uncle instead of a butler, I really appreciate that change. It brought a more modern take to the story. As for the story itself, the love triangle was interesting. I very much appreciated the ending. It was perfect!
About the Illustration: The drawing is simply amazing. I loved it and thought it was a perfect combination with this story. I also enjoyed the little details hidden in the picture like the video games. It was very interesting. The visual was as delightful as the story was.
Overall, I very much enjoyed the experience. When DC Comics reached out, I was intrigued and took a chance. I have 0 regrets, except maybe that’s not longer. I highly recommend it. It’s fun, fast-paced, and beautiful.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Sneak Peek
Want more? De la Cruz and Pitilli also spoke in-depth about the project with Entertainment Weekly here.
About the author: Melissa De La Cruz
Melissa de la Cruz is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of many critically acclaimed and award-winning novels for teens including The Au Pairs series, the Blue Bloods series, the Ashleys series, the Angels on Sunset Boulevard series and the semi-autobiographical novel Fresh off the Boat.
Her books for adults include the novel Cat’s Meow, the anthology Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys and the tongue-in-chic handbooks How to Become Famous in Two Weeks or Less and The Fashionista Files: Adventures in Four-inch heels and Faux-Pas.
She has worked as a fashion and beauty editor and has written for many publications including The New York Times, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Allure, The San Francisco Chronicle, McSweeney’s, Teen Vogue, CosmoGirl! and Seventeen. She has also appeared as an expert on fashion, trends and fame for CNN, E! and FoxNews.
Melissa grew up in Manila and moved to San Francisco with her family, where she graduated high school salutatorian from The Convent of the Sacred Heart. She majored in art history and English at Columbia University (and minored in nightclubs and shopping!).
She now divides her time between New York and Los Angeles, where she lives in the Hollywood Hills with her husband and daughter.
About the illustrator : Thomas Pitilli
Thomas Pitilli is an illustrator and comic book artist living in his hometown of Brooklyn, NY. His work has appeared in such publications as New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Entertainment Weekly, Playboy, Washington Post, Variety, Hollywood Reporter and more.
Thomas recently illustrated Gotham High, a full length graphic novel for DC Comics, written by New York Times Bestselling author, Melissa de la Cruz. He is also illustrating an upcoming Riverdale graphic novel for Archie Comics. When not making art, Thomas enjoys music, museums and summertime in NYC.
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