GRAPHIC NOVELS

LaGuardia

Berger: Dark Horse. Jul. 2019. 136p. ISBN 9781506710754. pap. $19.99;. FANTASY
COPY ISBN
In the latest from multi-award-winning author Okorafor (“Binti” trilogy), collaborating again with artist Ford (Black Panther: Long Live the King), with illustrations enhanced by a glowing color palette from Devlin, a fictional Lagos, Nigeria, has become the destination of choice for immigrant extraterrestrial species. In order to save the life of a plantlike alien from civil war, Dr. Future Chukwebuka (designed closely after Okorafor herself), flees Nigeria for New York to visit her grandmother, an immigration lawyer. Left behind is Citizen, the father of Future’s unborn baby, who has unwittingly passed alien DNA to both mother and child. While character names and identities may be a tad unsubtle (e.g., a fugitive alien called Letme Live, Future’s own baby is Future Citizen), Okorafor’s treatment of this controversial real-world sociopolitical problem is both humanist and hopeful.
VERDICT Speaking to the global immigration and refugee crises through the lens of Afrofuturism, this brilliant and decidedly progressive work will be an essential addition to most adult graphic novels collections. [See Martha Cornog’s “Afrofuturism and More,” LJ 11/19.]
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.


RELATED 

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?