DC's Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld Graphic Novel Review
- WRITER
- shannon hale, Dean Hale
- Artist
- Asiah Fulmore
- Letterer
- Becca Carey
- Price
- 9.99
- Release Date
- 2021-11-09
Amaya, a princess from Gemworld, is a DC superhero who has not seen as much prominence as iconic comic characters like Wonder Woman, Batman, or Superman; however, when she does come into play, she easily catches readers' attention. Introduced in the 1980s, Amaya captures the vibrance often associated with that time period. Her trademark bright and spunky attitude carries through into Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld, a new DC graphic novel for kids by writers Shannon and Dean Hale and artist Asiah Fulmore.
This DC book reimagines Amaya's origin story, depicting the princess sent to Earth for a long period of time. Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld caters to its younger audience by switching up the circumstances of her departure. It's her and her brother's mischievous behavior that condemns her to Earth as a form of punishment; however, for a mysterious reason, she and Citrina, the chief mage, are trapped there for years, leading to memory loss.
While Amaya and her best friend, Autumn, face the challenges of teenage life, everything is turned upside down when Topaz, another Gemworld royal, brings them back to Gemworld. Amnesia storylines are hard to pull off, yet stripping Amaya of her memories makes for a solid fish out of water narrative -- especially since she quickly adjusts to the environment, and readers see how not everything from her past has been lost on her. Meanwhile, Autumn acts as a conduit for readers, freeing Amaya from that responsibility while adding her optimistic and bewildered voice to Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld. The pair also are the heart of this story. Amaya may be focusing a lot of attention on finding her family and saving her home world, but the bond between these two is believable and endearing. They are each other's biggest cheerleaders. They both are a reminder that comics, fantasy, and superheroes can be fun.
Yes, the stakes are high for Amaya; however, the wonder of Gemworld and her royal role isn't lost on her. Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld indulges in the wonder of fables while providing a modern take that doesn't veer into meta territory. It showcases realistic teens living in and exploring an unrealistic setting.
Fulmore captures the joy and imagination of childhood in the book's artwork, but it never takes away from the fears and concerns of the characters during heavier moments -- thanks, in part, to how expressive the characters' facial features are. Furthermore, Fulmore brings to life a colorful world that feels perfect for the fairy tale journey ahead of the characters.
With such a large lore and expansive environment to dive into, Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld just scratches the surface of what is out there. This, accompanied by a massive time jump and so many characters introduced along with the core cast, makes it feel like this graphic novel is only part of the full story.
Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld is a modern fairy tale told through comics. For readers looking for a story that captures the wonder of fantasy and friendship, this is for you. For those looking for a more traditional comic -- particularly one that leans more on the gritty side of the medium --, this may not appeal to you initially. However, it's a solid read to share with others who may be just starting their DC adventure or want something light and fun.