Mister Miracle: The Great Escape

by Varian Johnson, Daniel Isles

Overview

Scott Free wants nothing more than to leave Apokolips for planet Earth, and he knows exactly how to do it. But his plan never involved falling in love with the head of the Female Furies, Big Barda-the one person tasked with ensuring he never escapes. From Varian Johnson, the author of the Coretta Scott King Author Honor book The Parker Inheritance, and Afrofuturist artist Daniel Isles (a.k.a. DirtyRobot) comes the story of an escape plan that will take a miracle to pull off. Luckily for Scott, everyone calls him Mister Miracle! Okay, no one calls him that…yet.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781779514493
Publisher:	DC
Publication date:	01/25/2022
Sold by:	DC Comics
Format:	eBook
File size:	62 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	15 Years

About the Author

Varian Johnson is the author of several novels for children and young adults, including The Parker Inheritance, which won both Coretta Scott King Author Honor and Boston Globe/Horn Book Honor awards; The Great Greene Heist, an ALA Notable Children’s Book and Kirkus Reviews Best Book; and the graphic novel Twins, illustrated by Shannon Wright, an NPR Best Book. Originally from Florence, South Carolina, he received an MFA in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts and is honored to now be a member of the faculty. Varian currently lives outside of Austin, Texas with his family.


Daniel Isles is a professional artist committed to artistic practice, observation, themes, and expression to create entire worlds of his own. His unique illustration style has been used in many industries including fashion, music, authorship, and technology. He has worked and collaborated with Apple, DC Comics, SEGA, Mighty Jaxx, Kidrobot, Timberland, and Owsla. Mister Miracle: The Great Escape is his first full-length graphic novel.

Editorial Reviews

03/18/2022

Gr 6 Up—Black student Scott Free has a knack for miraculous escapes—he's the only person who's ever lived through the onslaught of beasts in Granny Goodness's X-Pit. So can he manage to escape from the Goodness Academy and bring his companions along with him? With no memory of his parents or of life before he was orphaned and abandoned at the school, Scott projects confidence while internally struggling with self-doubt. What are the odds that he'll find a way to modify the surgically precise plans of Black genius janitor (and secret scientist) Himon to not only bring Himon's sick granddaughter Bekka to Earth, but also manage to hide away his three roommates? His own scheming might go a little smoother if Granny Goodness's goons, the Furies, would give Scott some peace, or if he could squelch his overwhelming need to mouth off to the Furies' leader, Big Barda, whenever presented with the opportunity. The clock is ticking for the great escape; Bekka's health deteriorates by the day, and leaving becomes increasingly urgent as Scott and his friends close in on graduation day, when they'll be automatically drafted into the army. Mister Miracle's origin story flows smoothly from panel to panel, bursting with expressive characters and a classic comic book vibe. The muted tones and crisp linework let Johnson's storytelling shine. The ending leaves plenty of room for adventures to continue. VERDICT A recommended first purchase.—Abby Bussen

School Library Journal

2022-01-25
A teenage upstart desperately attempts to escape the hostile planet of Apokolips.

Orphaned and with no memories of his parents, Black student Scott Free has no fondness for Apokolips or the Goodness Academy, Granny Goodness’ school where most students end up in military service or, worse, the X-Pit. After surviving the prison maze of beasts and deadly traps, Scott was informally adopted by Himon, a genius Black inventor and the school janitor. Himon’s granddaughter, Bekka, is sick and a cure may be available on Earth if Scott can pull off this escape. Scott’s roommates believe he can help them get out as well, but they are unaware of Himon’s role in the plan. Complicating matters, a new Fury has arrived: Big Barda. The Furies, Granny Goodness’ chosen warriors, are an all-female group of students who keep the peace. As Bekka’s health declines, Scott will need a miracle to escape from Apokolips. Johnson’s sharply observed Mister Miracle origin story flows across each page, enhanced by Isles’ surgically precise linework. Johnson’s characters struggle with decisions and the weight of their consequences. Not one of them gets it right all the time, but through their attempts, readers witness truth, teamwork, and trust. Isles’ future-forward character design and liquid movement reveal in brilliant ways mood, urgency, and the scale of the choices each person makes. This is an exciting read that will leave readers hoping for a continuation of the story.

A slick, funny, and fresh revamp of an old hero. (Graphic science fiction. 14-18)

Kirkus Reviews