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Bruce Wayne: Not Super
13-year-old Bruce Wayne attends an exclusive prep school for the gifted. But in this case, "gifted" means kids with super-powers. Bruce is suddenly the least special person in his world--and must learn to work with the talents he does have.
It’s hard enough being in middle school, but it’s even worse when you’re the only kid at your school who doesn’t have super-powers. That’s the case for poor Bruce Wayne at the Gotham Preparatory School for the Really, Really, Really Gifted, where the struggles of being un-powered are made worse by the presence of so many exceptionally gifted students. He doesn’t stand a chance of winning a race against the future Flash, or a swim meet against the future Aquaman, and he always gets picked last for dodgeball. And when it comes to winning the attention of the most popular girls at school—Diana Prince and Selina Kyle--he figures he stands no chance at all.
Bruce does have a goal though: he wants to make a difference in the world. But how can he do that when he doesn’t have any powers? While the Future-Supers are currently content to simply use their gifts to glide through school and court popularity, Bruce struggles to figure out if he has any gifts at all — and if so, how to use them. His challenge comes when he discovers fellow student Jack Napier and his hired bully Bane shaking down lesser-powered students for money, including that hapless kid Dick Grayson. Someone must stand up to them and somehow, it’s going to be Bruce!
It’s hard enough being in middle school, but it’s even worse when you’re the only kid at your school who doesn’t have super-powers. That’s the case for poor Bruce Wayne at the Gotham Preparatory School for the Really, Really, Really Gifted, where the struggles of being un-powered are made worse by the presence of so many exceptionally gifted students. He doesn’t stand a chance of winning a race against the future Flash, or a swim meet against the future Aquaman, and he always gets picked last for dodgeball. And when it comes to winning the attention of the most popular girls at school—Diana Prince and Selina Kyle--he figures he stands no chance at all.
Bruce does have a goal though: he wants to make a difference in the world. But how can he do that when he doesn’t have any powers? While the Future-Supers are currently content to simply use their gifts to glide through school and court popularity, Bruce struggles to figure out if he has any gifts at all — and if so, how to use them. His challenge comes when he discovers fellow student Jack Napier and his hired bully Bane shaking down lesser-powered students for money, including that hapless kid Dick Grayson. Someone must stand up to them and somehow, it’s going to be Bruce!
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 14, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
July 14, 2024
This was a very fun, cute and age-appropriate introduction to Bruce Wayne, who grows up to become Batman. While it takes some liberties with the storyline in service to the story, it works. Bruce gets into a school for supers (although he has no powers) because his parents endowed the school. All the usual suspects from Gotham (and Batman's gallery of rogues) and Superman as well, attend the school, and they use their powers for their own benefit instead of for the good of others.
Bruce has decided to fight to protect others in the memory of his parents, who were murdered. He isn't sure how to go about it, but he's on the path to figuring it out.
It's so cute to see Bruce as a young boy and not in a super dark way like on the Gotham show (although I enjoyed the show). This story allows for levity and a sense of hope that is often missing in the Bruce Wayne/Batman origin story. It was refreshing to see Bruce as an awkward boy. While I am a Batman/Bruce Wayne superfan, he is often shown as unfallible and someone who doesn't make mistakes. Logically, we know that Bruce had to become Batman and that took a lot of very focused training, educating and evolution. One of the things I love about Bruce is that he is a self-made hero. His super power is that he doesn't give up. I saw this in the young version of Bruce in this story. He has some hijinks that play well for physical comedy in the panels.
I also enjoyed seeing the young characters from the DC verse with their unique quirks, heroes and villains. There were a few characters that I didn't catch, but most I did. I chuckled at them all going to the same school.
The art was really good. Berat Pekmezci is an illustrator to watch for and I would like to check out more of his work. I'm not sure if this is an ongoing series, but I'd definitely keep reading it. I'd loved to see one for Selina Kyle (Catwoman).
I read this pretty fast (while recovering from a bad illness) and it made me smile and kept my spirits up.
Overall Rating: 4.25/5.0 stars.
Bruce has decided to fight to protect others in the memory of his parents, who were murdered. He isn't sure how to go about it, but he's on the path to figuring it out.
It's so cute to see Bruce as a young boy and not in a super dark way like on the Gotham show (although I enjoyed the show). This story allows for levity and a sense of hope that is often missing in the Bruce Wayne/Batman origin story. It was refreshing to see Bruce as an awkward boy. While I am a Batman/Bruce Wayne superfan, he is often shown as unfallible and someone who doesn't make mistakes. Logically, we know that Bruce had to become Batman and that took a lot of very focused training, educating and evolution. One of the things I love about Bruce is that he is a self-made hero. His super power is that he doesn't give up. I saw this in the young version of Bruce in this story. He has some hijinks that play well for physical comedy in the panels.
I also enjoyed seeing the young characters from the DC verse with their unique quirks, heroes and villains. There were a few characters that I didn't catch, but most I did. I chuckled at them all going to the same school.
The art was really good. Berat Pekmezci is an illustrator to watch for and I would like to check out more of his work. I'm not sure if this is an ongoing series, but I'd definitely keep reading it. I'd loved to see one for Selina Kyle (Catwoman).
I read this pretty fast (while recovering from a bad illness) and it made me smile and kept my spirits up.
Overall Rating: 4.25/5.0 stars.
May 2, 2024
My thanks to DC Entertainment and DC Comics for an eARC of this book to read and review.
None of the characters acted in character. The most obvious and egregious of the mis-characterizations was "Clark Kent" (ummmm...secret identities are supposed to protect the supe/villain from being found out. Calling them by their secret identity names while they show their powers is completely the opposite of what it is intended for. Why even bother? But I digress.).
"Clark Kent" was a football jock, who cheated on his tests and bullied others around him, including Bruce.
No. Superman is often called "Boy Scout" because he is SO pure and good. He would NEVER cheat on a test or humiliate anyone, unless he was under the powers of red kryptonite, which he does not seem to be here.
Also, the premise is that Bruce has no powers, but is at this school for ONLY kids with powers, because his parents funded the school and then they were killed, so they "allowed" him in. But there are SOOOO many kids who have NO powers who are at the school, Harley Quinn, Selina Kyle, Lex Luthor, etc. How did THEY get in?
And seriously? Bruce Wayne fills out a form about what he wants to be when he grows up and he actually wrote down "vigilante"?? If he looks up to Gordon, why not say he wants to be a cop? That's more in line with his reasoning of protecting other and stopping crime.
And the Vice Principal calls Bruce, a child of about 13, names, belittles him and then extorts a brand new coffee maker from Bruce before he leaves the office.
I DNF'd at 16%. This ALL happened before I was even 20% of the way in this book. I don't want to read the rest to find out if things get better. If they make Superman a bully as a kid, then I highly doubt it will.
The artwork wasn't bad, but the storyline and poor characterization detracted from it to be honest. Not my cuppa.
1, I am sorry I can't give this more but this will only satisfy a niche audience I suspect and I am not a part of it, stars.
None of the characters acted in character. The most obvious and egregious of the mis-characterizations was "Clark Kent" (ummmm...secret identities are supposed to protect the supe/villain from being found out. Calling them by their secret identity names while they show their powers is completely the opposite of what it is intended for. Why even bother? But I digress.).
"Clark Kent" was a football jock, who cheated on his tests and bullied others around him, including Bruce.
No. Superman is often called "Boy Scout" because he is SO pure and good. He would NEVER cheat on a test or humiliate anyone, unless he was under the powers of red kryptonite, which he does not seem to be here.
Also, the premise is that Bruce has no powers, but is at this school for ONLY kids with powers, because his parents funded the school and then they were killed, so they "allowed" him in. But there are SOOOO many kids who have NO powers who are at the school, Harley Quinn, Selina Kyle, Lex Luthor, etc. How did THEY get in?
And seriously? Bruce Wayne fills out a form about what he wants to be when he grows up and he actually wrote down "vigilante"?? If he looks up to Gordon, why not say he wants to be a cop? That's more in line with his reasoning of protecting other and stopping crime.
And the Vice Principal calls Bruce, a child of about 13, names, belittles him and then extorts a brand new coffee maker from Bruce before he leaves the office.
I DNF'd at 16%. This ALL happened before I was even 20% of the way in this book. I don't want to read the rest to find out if things get better. If they make Superman a bully as a kid, then I highly doubt it will.
The artwork wasn't bad, but the storyline and poor characterization detracted from it to be honest. Not my cuppa.
1, I am sorry I can't give this more but this will only satisfy a niche audience I suspect and I am not a part of it, stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2023
I really enjoyed this graphic novel about young Bruce Wayne. The drawing was excellent and there were many funny parts.
February 25, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley and DC Entertainment for the advanced copy!
I'm surprised to say I'm unfamiliar with the author, Stuart Gibbs, who appears to be a popular children's author. I'm also unfamiliar with the artist, Berat Pekmezci, but looked him up and his art is stunning (this book looks great too, of course!).
So I requested this because I was intrigued by the idea of a comic following Bruce Wayne as a young boy. It feels like this is a time that is often skipped over - those years between his parents' deaths and his decision to train to become Batman... except this is not that. This is an AU where the superheroes (and villains!) all exist as themselves but as kids? All the same age? And they all live in Gotham and go to a middle school specifically for superpowered children, but where Bruce Wayne also goes to school (because his parents funded it??)?? They even have a teenaged Wonder Woman... what. There's a whole introduction where he goes on about who all goes to the school, makes a big deal about it being against the rules to attend if you DON'T have powers (the exception being him), but then an art panel shows Harley Quinn?? Who doesn't have superpowers last I checked?? Ditto for Lex Luthor? Dick Grayson? There's a ton of other kids here without superpowers! At least they show the Joker faking his way in by pretending to see/control ghosts, but does that mean the others did the same? I'd believe Harley and Lex, but Dick??
Then there's the fact that they all bully him - including the teachers and administrators. Boy-next-door Clark Kent even bullies and attacks him. What is this story. And then the end is one of the cheesiest things I've ever read, which I don't want to spoil but will say was supremely stupid.
I found the whole thing befuddling, and I imagine any kid who reads this and then goes looking for more will just be disappointed because this is so different (also, it's not like kids are unfamiliar with the characters, like I know my niece and nephew would be confused by this). And I read and enjoyed the super babies series!
I'm sorry but I can't recommend this strange, and strangely written, story to anyone. I mean, it can't even follow its own logic. Was this even edited? I don't understand it.
I'm surprised to say I'm unfamiliar with the author, Stuart Gibbs, who appears to be a popular children's author. I'm also unfamiliar with the artist, Berat Pekmezci, but looked him up and his art is stunning (this book looks great too, of course!).
So I requested this because I was intrigued by the idea of a comic following Bruce Wayne as a young boy. It feels like this is a time that is often skipped over - those years between his parents' deaths and his decision to train to become Batman... except this is not that. This is an AU where the superheroes (and villains!) all exist as themselves but as kids? All the same age? And they all live in Gotham and go to a middle school specifically for superpowered children, but where Bruce Wayne also goes to school (because his parents funded it??)?? They even have a teenaged Wonder Woman... what. There's a whole introduction where he goes on about who all goes to the school, makes a big deal about it being against the rules to attend if you DON'T have powers (the exception being him), but then an art panel shows Harley Quinn?? Who doesn't have superpowers last I checked?? Ditto for Lex Luthor? Dick Grayson? There's a ton of other kids here without superpowers! At least they show the Joker faking his way in by pretending to see/control ghosts, but does that mean the others did the same? I'd believe Harley and Lex, but Dick??
Then there's the fact that they all bully him - including the teachers and administrators. Boy-next-door Clark Kent even bullies and attacks him. What is this story. And then the end is one of the cheesiest things I've ever read, which I don't want to spoil but will say was supremely stupid.
I found the whole thing befuddling, and I imagine any kid who reads this and then goes looking for more will just be disappointed because this is so different (also, it's not like kids are unfamiliar with the characters, like I know my niece and nephew would be confused by this). And I read and enjoyed the super babies series!
I'm sorry but I can't recommend this strange, and strangely written, story to anyone. I mean, it can't even follow its own logic. Was this even edited? I don't understand it.
April 19, 2023
This is a spoiler free review.
Bruce Wayne: Not Super is a great introduction to Batman for middle school kids. This story is easy to read and enjoy. There are also great themes throughout this graphic novel about trying to fit in, never giving up, and you don't need a superpower to make a difference or help someone in need. I think every child and their parents will enjoy this middle school age Batman caper.
This fun young superhero story is very similar to the movie, Sky High but with DC Universe characters as the students. In fact every student has superpowers except, 13 year old Bruce Wayne but that won't stop Bruce, Alfred, and his new friend Dick Grayson from trying to stop the school bully from pulling small crimes on the play ground and maybe something even bigger at school...
Bruce Wayne: Not Super is a graphic novel kids will enjoy and parents will love all the Easter eggs. There are funny references throughout the story and lots of hidden Easter eggs in the illustrations, especially in the background at the school. This graphic novel is also full of cameos from all your favorite DC heroes and villains. So keep your eyes peeled detectives and see who or what you find.
The artwork fits in really well in this young superhero tale. I think kids will like it and be drawn in to the fact that Batman, Harley Quinn, Catwoman, and Robin all look like silly fun kids just like them. These illustrations will help kids reading this graphic novel relate to our young heroes and see anyone can be a hero.
I recommend Bruce Wayne: Not Super to children and big kids as well. Kids and their parents will have fun bonding over this entertaining graphic novel.
Stay awesome and keep reading!
Bruce Wayne: Not Super
Creative Team:
Written by Stuart Gibbs
Illustrated by Berat Pekmezci
Bruce Wayne: Not Super is a great introduction to Batman for middle school kids. This story is easy to read and enjoy. There are also great themes throughout this graphic novel about trying to fit in, never giving up, and you don't need a superpower to make a difference or help someone in need. I think every child and their parents will enjoy this middle school age Batman caper.
This fun young superhero story is very similar to the movie, Sky High but with DC Universe characters as the students. In fact every student has superpowers except, 13 year old Bruce Wayne but that won't stop Bruce, Alfred, and his new friend Dick Grayson from trying to stop the school bully from pulling small crimes on the play ground and maybe something even bigger at school...
Bruce Wayne: Not Super is a graphic novel kids will enjoy and parents will love all the Easter eggs. There are funny references throughout the story and lots of hidden Easter eggs in the illustrations, especially in the background at the school. This graphic novel is also full of cameos from all your favorite DC heroes and villains. So keep your eyes peeled detectives and see who or what you find.
The artwork fits in really well in this young superhero tale. I think kids will like it and be drawn in to the fact that Batman, Harley Quinn, Catwoman, and Robin all look like silly fun kids just like them. These illustrations will help kids reading this graphic novel relate to our young heroes and see anyone can be a hero.
I recommend Bruce Wayne: Not Super to children and big kids as well. Kids and their parents will have fun bonding over this entertaining graphic novel.
Stay awesome and keep reading!
Bruce Wayne: Not Super
Creative Team:
Written by Stuart Gibbs
Illustrated by Berat Pekmezci
April 23, 2023
Stuart Gibbs (of Spy School Series) gives us his take on who Bruce Wayne (aka alias Batman) was in Middle School.
Frankly, the Prep School for the Gifted is really for those with Super powers. Bruce doesn't have any.
He does however have a great sense of right and wrong. When he finds out that Jack Napier and his muscle buddy Bane are shaking down kids for money, including the helpless Dick Grayson, he has to do something. What sort of hero will he become?
If you know your Batman, you can kind of tell where the story is going. Aside from the Gotham universe, Napier (later Joker) Grayson (later Robin) and Selina Kyle (Cat Woman), you get some more of the future heroes and what they were like in middle school. It's fun and Gibbs brings his own sense of humor and tween angst that you would expect from him.
I personally love when Bruce decides to figure out the Bat Cave and his super suit (what is he supposed to be again?) very funny.
The artwork by Berat Pekmezci provides a vibrant, colorful and added level of humor and emotional depth to the already-fun story.
Frankly, the Prep School for the Gifted is really for those with Super powers. Bruce doesn't have any.
He does however have a great sense of right and wrong. When he finds out that Jack Napier and his muscle buddy Bane are shaking down kids for money, including the helpless Dick Grayson, he has to do something. What sort of hero will he become?
If you know your Batman, you can kind of tell where the story is going. Aside from the Gotham universe, Napier (later Joker) Grayson (later Robin) and Selina Kyle (Cat Woman), you get some more of the future heroes and what they were like in middle school. It's fun and Gibbs brings his own sense of humor and tween angst that you would expect from him.
I personally love when Bruce decides to figure out the Bat Cave and his super suit (what is he supposed to be again?) very funny.
The artwork by Berat Pekmezci provides a vibrant, colorful and added level of humor and emotional depth to the already-fun story.
August 12, 2024
This take on Bruce (Batman) Wayne as a 13 year old isn't exactly in continuity, but then it isn't supposed to be, like most of these DC Graphic Novels for Kids. It looks like all the DC super folk go to this school, the take being Bruce (not having any super powers) got in because of his parents' money. Bruce is just trying to find a way to stand out, eventually figuring out he can help the helpless in his own unique way.
I loved the art here. The story was pretty good - full of some humor as well as Bruce's doubts about where he belongs.
I loved the art here. The story was pretty good - full of some humor as well as Bruce's doubts about where he belongs.
September 17, 2025
A good, and funny quick read. I like the fact that this book pokes fun at the superheroes and Batman/Bruce himself.
Picked on by Super Jock, lapped by the running field, outdone on tests and extorted by the faculty. This is just another school day for Bruce Wayne. The only powerless person in Super Middle School. However, if Bruce wants to clean up Gotham he is going to have to start with stopping the crime of the seminar in his school.
This is just a fun book to read. Not sure if there is a follow-up to the book but if there is I would read that too. A fun parody. The book finishes with a preview of the Clark and Lex book.
Picked on by Super Jock, lapped by the running field, outdone on tests and extorted by the faculty. This is just another school day for Bruce Wayne. The only powerless person in Super Middle School. However, if Bruce wants to clean up Gotham he is going to have to start with stopping the crime of the seminar in his school.
This is just a fun book to read. Not sure if there is a follow-up to the book but if there is I would read that too. A fun parody. The book finishes with a preview of the Clark and Lex book.
March 14, 2023
1st Line: "This is Gotham City."
Review: This new graphic novel, of a pre-Batman Bruce Wayne as a kid, opens in a Gotham City already all but decimated by crime and corruption. But with all its horrors, the worst of them for the young, rich, highly-intelligent but otherwise nerdy Bruce Wayne, orphaned after the murders of his parents, is none other than the Gotham Preparatory School for the Really, Really Gifted - his middle school. Here, all the students have some form of super power or another (The Flash, Wonder Woman, Superman, Penguin, Catwoman, and more - all started off in middle grade here) ... except for Bruce, who only got into the school because his parents funded the building of it before their deaths, and remains a target for bullies for not having any powers of his own. But when fellow student Jack Napier, himself having no super powers except for conning his way into the school, begins bullying Bruce's friend, elementary student Dick Grayson, Bruce becomes determined to strike back - thus beginning his ascent to a career as a vigilante, even as his loyal butler Alfred and the school's vice-principal forbid it. But will Bruce get it together in time to foil Jack's plans for the Crime of the Semester? And what of Bane, Jack's new sidekick, who would be a formidable foe even for someone with superpowers?
Bruce Wayne: Not Super is terrific; a comedic look at the young, super-smart yet geeky Bruce completely out of his element as a young kid, formerly with the attention span of a goldfish, who may have finally found his calling. Also nice are the glimpses of a number of future DC superhero icons in their youth, but the story really does belong to the humor of Bruce wanting to save his city, agreeing to take a hyperactive Robin in tow as his sidekick, with no knowledge of how to fight and an arsenal of weapons thrown together in minutes - and potentially of harm more to the user than the bad guy - all while Alfred says no and remains in constant threat of sending the future Batman to his room. The poor kid, after all, can't even put a bat costume together; in it, he's mistaken for everything from a badger to a rat to even a prairie dog. Bruce pushes past it all, his pluck and determination to save Gotham City one villain at a time his true calling, and among writer Stuart Gibbs glib and funny humor and Berat Pekmezci's bursting-with-color art, the very basic but heartfelt beginnings of the boy who'd grow to become The Bat shines through. It's really good. So good, I already itch for a sequel. 4.5/5 stars
NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
Review: This new graphic novel, of a pre-Batman Bruce Wayne as a kid, opens in a Gotham City already all but decimated by crime and corruption. But with all its horrors, the worst of them for the young, rich, highly-intelligent but otherwise nerdy Bruce Wayne, orphaned after the murders of his parents, is none other than the Gotham Preparatory School for the Really, Really Gifted - his middle school. Here, all the students have some form of super power or another (The Flash, Wonder Woman, Superman, Penguin, Catwoman, and more - all started off in middle grade here) ... except for Bruce, who only got into the school because his parents funded the building of it before their deaths, and remains a target for bullies for not having any powers of his own. But when fellow student Jack Napier, himself having no super powers except for conning his way into the school, begins bullying Bruce's friend, elementary student Dick Grayson, Bruce becomes determined to strike back - thus beginning his ascent to a career as a vigilante, even as his loyal butler Alfred and the school's vice-principal forbid it. But will Bruce get it together in time to foil Jack's plans for the Crime of the Semester? And what of Bane, Jack's new sidekick, who would be a formidable foe even for someone with superpowers?
Bruce Wayne: Not Super is terrific; a comedic look at the young, super-smart yet geeky Bruce completely out of his element as a young kid, formerly with the attention span of a goldfish, who may have finally found his calling. Also nice are the glimpses of a number of future DC superhero icons in their youth, but the story really does belong to the humor of Bruce wanting to save his city, agreeing to take a hyperactive Robin in tow as his sidekick, with no knowledge of how to fight and an arsenal of weapons thrown together in minutes - and potentially of harm more to the user than the bad guy - all while Alfred says no and remains in constant threat of sending the future Batman to his room. The poor kid, after all, can't even put a bat costume together; in it, he's mistaken for everything from a badger to a rat to even a prairie dog. Bruce pushes past it all, his pluck and determination to save Gotham City one villain at a time his true calling, and among writer Stuart Gibbs glib and funny humor and Berat Pekmezci's bursting-with-color art, the very basic but heartfelt beginnings of the boy who'd grow to become The Bat shines through. It's really good. So good, I already itch for a sequel. 4.5/5 stars
NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
March 8, 2023
Bruce Wayne: Not Super is a middle-grade graphic novel about Batman before he becomes Batman. Welcome to Gotham Preparatory School for the Really Really Gifted!
First off, I am admittedly not super-knowledgeable about superheroes, so I come to this work with a far less critical eye than a die-hard DC fan. Sure, it probably doesn't make sense that Bruce Wayne, Diana Prince (Wonder Woman), and Harley Quinn are all in middle school together at the same time. It's a degree of disbelief I'm willing to suspend because this story is cute! And it is a super-gentle entry into the world of superheroes (and villains), DC, and the Bat Family. For someone like me who doesn't know all the ins and outs of all the characters, their origins, and the origins of their nemeses...it's a decent primer. Is it perfect? Is it canon? Nope and probably not. Is it accessible? ABSOLUTELY.
I need MG graphic novels like this for all the superheroes! (I think there already may be a lot of them? I should read them.)
Little Bruce Wayne genuinely just wants to stand up for truth and justice for all. It's adorable watching him trial-and-error his way to his alias and his arsenal of crime-fighting tools. Dick Grayson's character is precious, and why he chooses the identity Robin is hilarious. We get to see the beginnings of the Joker, too. Even I (the total n00b) was able to identify many of the heroes-/villains-to-be milling about the campus of Gotham Prep, so I know big DC fans will get a real kick out of seeing baby versions of those characters—and catch all the little Easter eggs I'm sure I missed.
Thanks to DC Entertainment and NetGalley for this ARC! Bruce Wayne: Not Super by Stuart Gibbs and Berat Pekmezci comes out on March 14, 2023!
First off, I am admittedly not super-knowledgeable about superheroes, so I come to this work with a far less critical eye than a die-hard DC fan. Sure, it probably doesn't make sense that Bruce Wayne, Diana Prince (Wonder Woman), and Harley Quinn are all in middle school together at the same time. It's a degree of disbelief I'm willing to suspend because this story is cute! And it is a super-gentle entry into the world of superheroes (and villains), DC, and the Bat Family. For someone like me who doesn't know all the ins and outs of all the characters, their origins, and the origins of their nemeses...it's a decent primer. Is it perfect? Is it canon? Nope and probably not. Is it accessible? ABSOLUTELY.
I need MG graphic novels like this for all the superheroes! (I think there already may be a lot of them? I should read them.)
Little Bruce Wayne genuinely just wants to stand up for truth and justice for all. It's adorable watching him trial-and-error his way to his alias and his arsenal of crime-fighting tools. Dick Grayson's character is precious, and why he chooses the identity Robin is hilarious. We get to see the beginnings of the Joker, too. Even I (the total n00b) was able to identify many of the heroes-/villains-to-be milling about the campus of Gotham Prep, so I know big DC fans will get a real kick out of seeing baby versions of those characters—and catch all the little Easter eggs I'm sure I missed.
Thanks to DC Entertainment and NetGalley for this ARC! Bruce Wayne: Not Super by Stuart Gibbs and Berat Pekmezci comes out on March 14, 2023!
June 13, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.
Bruce Wayne as a teen, before he became Batman, going through middle school. Sounded intriguing, so I requested the ARC from NetGalley. I like the idea of retelling stories with a twist, and I can accept a few discrepancies in a story like this. I do get why other reviewers complained, though. Clark Kent (Superman) a bully? Of course, this is middle school, and no one has fully grown yet. The prefrontal cortex doesn’t fully develop until the mid-20s. Maybe Clark is going through an unusual period, and it teaches him the morals for which he is famous.
Anyway, Stuart Gibbs is a great writer, and kids love his Spy School series. Kids are likely to read this book just because of the author. I hope they do give it a try. There are a lot of funny parts as Bruce figures out how to fight against the bullies.
I’m looking forward to seeing how this series develops.
Bruce Wayne as a teen, before he became Batman, going through middle school. Sounded intriguing, so I requested the ARC from NetGalley. I like the idea of retelling stories with a twist, and I can accept a few discrepancies in a story like this. I do get why other reviewers complained, though. Clark Kent (Superman) a bully? Of course, this is middle school, and no one has fully grown yet. The prefrontal cortex doesn’t fully develop until the mid-20s. Maybe Clark is going through an unusual period, and it teaches him the morals for which he is famous.
Anyway, Stuart Gibbs is a great writer, and kids love his Spy School series. Kids are likely to read this book just because of the author. I hope they do give it a try. There are a lot of funny parts as Bruce figures out how to fight against the bullies.
I’m looking forward to seeing how this series develops.
September 8, 2025
Öyküye ve çizimlere ba-yıl-dım. Diğer çizer dostlarımız gibi dünyada çok önemli bir yer edinen Berat Pekmezci'nin geldiği noktayı, çizgi kalitesini, karakteristik dokunuşlarını övmek haddime değil. Çok daha güzel yerlerde göreceğime eminim.
February 26, 2023
A MG Bruce Wayne origin story by Stuart Gibbs!
🦇
Bruce Wayne attends middle school at an exclusive prep school for kids with super-powers. He doesn’t have any. The only reason he’s allowed to attend is because now-deceased parents paid for the school. But Bruce wants to be special like his classmates. When he helps save someone from bullies Jack Napier and his hired bully Bane, Bruce decides to become Batman and be the vigilante Gotham needs!
🦸🏻
Told in Gibbs’ trademark humor, this DC comic was everything I wanted—even with the awesome cliffhanger ending! I loved the artwork as well by @pekmezci & can’t wait for this to be published on March 14!
CW: parental death (recounted), bullying, violence
🦇
Bruce Wayne attends middle school at an exclusive prep school for kids with super-powers. He doesn’t have any. The only reason he’s allowed to attend is because now-deceased parents paid for the school. But Bruce wants to be special like his classmates. When he helps save someone from bullies Jack Napier and his hired bully Bane, Bruce decides to become Batman and be the vigilante Gotham needs!
🦸🏻
Told in Gibbs’ trademark humor, this DC comic was everything I wanted—even with the awesome cliffhanger ending! I loved the artwork as well by @pekmezci & can’t wait for this to be published on March 14!
CW: parental death (recounted), bullying, violence
February 1, 2023
So much lighthearted fun! Like most of the superheroes as kids stories out there, you have to overlook all of the details here that obviously don't work with any of their *actual* origin stories, but it's worth it for such a clever, entertaining read.
Be there when Bruce comes up with his most iconic crime-fighting ideas (Alfred: "Why would your family build a mansion over a cave? And why would they put an elevator down into it?") and Dick Greyson gives himself his own new moniker ("I could dress in red and yellow and have a really scary animal name...like Robin! When I was little, one pecked me with his beak. Hard. They're terrifying.") And of course they ask the real questions we've always wanted answers to--but still don't get ("why do we even have an asylum for dangerous criminals in the middle of our city? That's just asking for trouble.")
Anyone who's ever worried about not fitting in--in middle school especially, but really anywhere--will appreciate Bruce's feelings of inadequacy, and everyone who has at least a passing knowledge of DC superheroes and villains will likely enjoy all the clever details here. And of course underneath it all is a story where good triumphs over evil...at least, for now...
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Be there when Bruce comes up with his most iconic crime-fighting ideas (Alfred: "Why would your family build a mansion over a cave? And why would they put an elevator down into it?") and Dick Greyson gives himself his own new moniker ("I could dress in red and yellow and have a really scary animal name...like Robin! When I was little, one pecked me with his beak. Hard. They're terrifying.") And of course they ask the real questions we've always wanted answers to--but still don't get ("why do we even have an asylum for dangerous criminals in the middle of our city? That's just asking for trouble.")
Anyone who's ever worried about not fitting in--in middle school especially, but really anywhere--will appreciate Bruce's feelings of inadequacy, and everyone who has at least a passing knowledge of DC superheroes and villains will likely enjoy all the clever details here. And of course underneath it all is a story where good triumphs over evil...at least, for now...
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
April 20, 2023
This is one of the few DC Kids books that just 100% did not work for me. It reads very much like the entire book was written for original characters, then had DC characters awkwardly pasted in afterwards. The basic premise is that Bruce Wayne is the only non-superpowered kid at his middle school for kids with superpowers. Except... he very clearly isn't? The panels are full of background characters who don't have powers, like Penguin, Harley Quinn, Lex Luthor. Possibly they have superpowers in this book that they don't have anywhere else, because at least two characters do. Dick Grayson is awkwardly given the "superpower" of... being good at gymnastics. And Salina is good with cats? Already kind of a mess. And then Clark Kent shows up and is breathtakingly out of character. He's suddenly a football obsessed bully? Ma and Pa would be so disappointed. I also don't understand why Bruce is going to this school at all. Sure, he was allowed in, despite being without powers because Wayne money built the school. But why is he at this school? He's not there because he loves it, and he never says anything about his late parents wanting him to attend, only that his old public school was bad. Are there no private schools in Gotham? There's just no real motivation that makes sense for him to be there. Maybe I'm being harsh on a kids' book, but I think kids will pick up on a lot of this stuff, too.
February 24, 2023
Quick Summary: A pre-debut origin story
My Review: Bruce Wayne: Not Super written by Stuart Gibbs with art by Berat Pekmezci tells the pre-debut origin story of the dark hero-vigilante aka Batman. This colorful, well-illustrated work uncovers the seemingly ordinary life of a normie whose only presenting plus is his wealth...or so it seems. In this book, the young loner is on a quest to fight for justice, despite having no super strength, no super speed, no super dexterity, no super anything.
What I Loved About This Book:
- I loved seeing Bruce Wayne as a young, awkward, kid who is trying to understand who he truly is. At the core of who he was, he still knew that there was more that he could do.
- I loved that Bruce, as well as Dick Grayson, his younger companion, had determination. In spite of what some might consider to be limitations, they did not back down from what they ultimately wanted to do.
- I loved re-imagining the heroes as youngsters. I appreciated that the younger versions of themselves had not yet established their positions. In most instances, who they would become in the future wasn't even on their radars. Only approximately five characters showed emerging signs of being self-aware. I could tell they were beginning to figure out their paths of choice. (Actually, I could have said six characters, if Alfred is included.)
- Speaking of Alfred, I loved his sense of humor. He was a pill in this story. He totally cracked me up.
- I loved the attitude from the protagonist, as well as from the main antagonist. Everything was shaped so well, regarding that relationship.
- I loved how the art work put the story in the proper perspective. It was quite brilliant. From the beginning, I was eager to see how the story would play out and how the characters would be displayed.
- I loved the ending! It properly set up the next chapter in what I hope will be an ongoing series.
My Final Say: Young readers will love this upper elementary/middle grade graphic novel. It is light, engaging, entertaining.
Other: I loved the age appropriate lessons and experiences demonstrated in this work. The characters questions about who they were and what they wanted rang true. They were curious about wanting to try different things. That also came across as authentic. At the end of the day, it was a fun read with little life lessons hidden in plain sight.
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: Ages 8 and up
Sincere appreciation and thanks are extended to the author, to the illustrator, to DC Entertainment, to DC Comics, and to NetGalley, who provided access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. The words I have excitedly and voluntarily shared are my own.
My Review: Bruce Wayne: Not Super written by Stuart Gibbs with art by Berat Pekmezci tells the pre-debut origin story of the dark hero-vigilante aka Batman. This colorful, well-illustrated work uncovers the seemingly ordinary life of a normie whose only presenting plus is his wealth...or so it seems. In this book, the young loner is on a quest to fight for justice, despite having no super strength, no super speed, no super dexterity, no super anything.
What I Loved About This Book:
- I loved seeing Bruce Wayne as a young, awkward, kid who is trying to understand who he truly is. At the core of who he was, he still knew that there was more that he could do.
- I loved that Bruce, as well as Dick Grayson, his younger companion, had determination. In spite of what some might consider to be limitations, they did not back down from what they ultimately wanted to do.
- I loved re-imagining the heroes as youngsters. I appreciated that the younger versions of themselves had not yet established their positions. In most instances, who they would become in the future wasn't even on their radars. Only approximately five characters showed emerging signs of being self-aware. I could tell they were beginning to figure out their paths of choice. (Actually, I could have said six characters, if Alfred is included.)
- Speaking of Alfred, I loved his sense of humor. He was a pill in this story. He totally cracked me up.
- I loved the attitude from the protagonist, as well as from the main antagonist. Everything was shaped so well, regarding that relationship.
- I loved how the art work put the story in the proper perspective. It was quite brilliant. From the beginning, I was eager to see how the story would play out and how the characters would be displayed.
- I loved the ending! It properly set up the next chapter in what I hope will be an ongoing series.
My Final Say: Young readers will love this upper elementary/middle grade graphic novel. It is light, engaging, entertaining.
Other: I loved the age appropriate lessons and experiences demonstrated in this work. The characters questions about who they were and what they wanted rang true. They were curious about wanting to try different things. That also came across as authentic. At the end of the day, it was a fun read with little life lessons hidden in plain sight.
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: Ages 8 and up
Sincere appreciation and thanks are extended to the author, to the illustrator, to DC Entertainment, to DC Comics, and to NetGalley, who provided access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. The words I have excitedly and voluntarily shared are my own.
September 5, 2023
I'm going to write my review as I read because (and I'm stealing this from Aidan) this is just "a grab bag of supers to cash in on young readers who don't know much about the dc universe."
It could've been a cute relatable comic, but it tried too hard to include cameos and mentions and easter eggs. And it felt like the writer just found out about DC characters the night before writing it. There was no continuity to them. And a lot of the mischaracterizations just made it unbelievable. Who's ever going to believe Clark for a bully?
It could've been a cute relatable comic, but it tried too hard to include cameos and mentions and easter eggs. And it felt like the writer just found out about DC characters the night before writing it. There was no continuity to them. And a lot of the mischaracterizations just made it unbelievable. Who's ever going to believe Clark for a bully?
October 31, 2023
Read by my middle grade son who has gone off reading big time, despite my best efforts to entice him with new books from our library.
However ‘Bruce Wayne not super’ hit the spot! The premise of Bruce Wayne as a young boy at middle school in Gotham City trying to fit in when he has no powers and is surrounded by super power kids, is funny and engaging.
It’s published in a small handy size with great graphics.
Best endorsement, my son wants to read the next installment, ‘Clark and Lex’ which is about a young Superman. He rated Bruce Wayne 4.5 stars ⭐️
However ‘Bruce Wayne not super’ hit the spot! The premise of Bruce Wayne as a young boy at middle school in Gotham City trying to fit in when he has no powers and is surrounded by super power kids, is funny and engaging.
It’s published in a small handy size with great graphics.
Best endorsement, my son wants to read the next installment, ‘Clark and Lex’ which is about a young Superman. He rated Bruce Wayne 4.5 stars ⭐️
January 27, 2023
This was so much fun. Did you know in middle school Bruce Wayne was not super yet all the other kids around him were? He was let into the school because his parents paid for it. All he to be is a vigilante. Yep, his goal is to be a vigilante. Alfred, his butler, is like no thank you. Try as he might Brucei still cannot be super enough to make his vigilante dreams come true. But with some hard work, determination, and lots of laughs, he will have the beginnings of Batman and the character we have grown to love. We get this middle school iteration of Bruce Wayne from Stuart Gibbs. The same Stuart Gibbs, who writes the Fun Jungle, Moon Base, Alpha, and Spy School books. DC picked the perfect author to take a stab at a not super, not dark, not yet dangerous Batman. I need more books in this series right now.
March 27, 2024
Cute quick origin story
April 25, 2025
This book: super fun.
I will be buying a copy for my Elementary aged son.
I will be buying a copy for my Elementary aged son.
June 28, 2024
5 out of 5
Full Video Review: https://youtu.be/MLD-MDGNirQ?si=LJ5IQ...
This was my first middle grade comic graphic novel and I really enjoyed it.
As someone who's grown up on Batman movies and reruns of the old tv show I enjoyed what the author did with Bruce Wayne's story. And this was also surprisingly funny with great illustrations too. Now, I want to read more like this!
Full Video Review: https://youtu.be/MLD-MDGNirQ?si=LJ5IQ...
This was my first middle grade comic graphic novel and I really enjoyed it.
As someone who's grown up on Batman movies and reruns of the old tv show I enjoyed what the author did with Bruce Wayne's story. And this was also surprisingly funny with great illustrations too. Now, I want to read more like this!
March 20, 2023
Ok. Hear me out. This is NOT the Batman you know, but it is absurdly fun. It is a kids book for adults and an adults book for kids. I think that DC Kids has a huge winner with this. All the things a DC super book should have, plus some wonderful Easter eggs. Look for the shark repellent as an homage to Batman 66 and see if two of the back ground characters are about to kiss (they are).
Bravo.
Bravo.
March 30, 2023
I have so many thoughts! There are so many thoughts that I am not entirely sure how to organize this, so I am just going to start at the beginning and see where I am going to end up.
First, we found out there everyone is in Gotham and Bruce is a middle-schooler. I am not sure what grade he is in, but I am going to take a wild stab in the dark and say he is in 8th grade in light of the age of another character.
Second, we found out that everyone who gets into Gotham Prep has a superpower, at least according to Bruce. That is interesting in the light of another character, because this character is also like in Bruce in canon in the fact that they do not have any powers. It is just talent and skill. This same character I would not have guessed at their identity, because they looked different from how they are usually portrayed: dark hair, blue eyes, and skin color could be tan or could be more white. I was a bit perturbed by this, but the relationship between these two characters is still there. Bruce acknowledges the weirdness that this person is his friend due to the age difference.
Speaking of a different character designs, there was another character, who I would not have guessed it was them, until their name was said. At first, I thought this character was Lady Shiva, due to the hair and possibly skin tone, but it was revealed later who she was. I would not have known, because I personally have not seen this character with long hair that often. Also, this character does not seem to have her normal proclivity for one of the two things she is known for.
The next character doesn't really have a different character design, but, oh boy, was there a personality change! I am not sure if this shows up in canon, but in fanfiction, this character is known as a big blue boy scout. He is not acting like a boy scout here, unless it is boy scout who is a bully! That was just so surprising to me!
Now, I know some people would say Bruce is out-of-character, but I would beg to differ. This shows a more emotionally adjusted Bruce. Basically, he still wants to rid Gotham of crime, but I think he is in a more emotionally stable place. This characterization proves my point that Bruce Wayne/Batman is a Hufflepuff. Yeah, you read that right. I truly believe that no matter what if you synthesize all the versions of Bruce/Batman then you would see that Bruce is a Hufflepuff. I mean look at Bruce's speech on page 134. If that is not a sign of a Hufflepuff then I am not sure what is. Also, while this is not Stuart Gibbs point and probably a coincidence, (I am not sure if he read Harry Potter and/or gave thought to sorting Batman into a Hogwarts House) look at what animal the book mistaken Bruce for at the end.
In terms of writing style, I enjoy it! It is hard to determine whether the 4th wall was broken or the glass was just merely tapped. Here are some lines that illustrate that point:
1. "Sigh. Good idea. I'll go start the training montage music." p. 73
2. "Where? I feel like I missed some exposition..." p. 81
Verdict: Go read it! I really hope another one does come out!
First, we found out there everyone is in Gotham and Bruce is a middle-schooler. I am not sure what grade he is in, but I am going to take a wild stab in the dark and say he is in 8th grade in light of the age of another character.
Second, we found out that everyone who gets into Gotham Prep has a superpower, at least according to Bruce. That is interesting in the light of another character, because this character is also like in Bruce in canon in the fact that they do not have any powers. It is just talent and skill. This same character I would not have guessed at their identity, because they looked different from how they are usually portrayed: dark hair, blue eyes, and skin color could be tan or could be more white. I was a bit perturbed by this, but the relationship between these two characters is still there. Bruce acknowledges the weirdness that this person is his friend due to the age difference.
Speaking of a different character designs, there was another character, who I would not have guessed it was them, until their name was said. At first, I thought this character was Lady Shiva, due to the hair and possibly skin tone, but it was revealed later who she was. I would not have known, because I personally have not seen this character with long hair that often. Also, this character does not seem to have her normal proclivity for one of the two things she is known for.
The next character doesn't really have a different character design, but, oh boy, was there a personality change! I am not sure if this shows up in canon, but in fanfiction, this character is known as a big blue boy scout. He is not acting like a boy scout here, unless it is boy scout who is a bully! That was just so surprising to me!
Now, I know some people would say Bruce is out-of-character, but I would beg to differ. This shows a more emotionally adjusted Bruce. Basically, he still wants to rid Gotham of crime, but I think he is in a more emotionally stable place. This characterization proves my point that Bruce Wayne/Batman is a Hufflepuff. Yeah, you read that right. I truly believe that no matter what if you synthesize all the versions of Bruce/Batman then you would see that Bruce is a Hufflepuff. I mean look at Bruce's speech on page 134. If that is not a sign of a Hufflepuff then I am not sure what is. Also, while this is not Stuart Gibbs point and probably a coincidence, (I am not sure if he read Harry Potter and/or gave thought to sorting Batman into a Hogwarts House) look at what animal the book mistaken Bruce for at the end.
In terms of writing style, I enjoy it! It is hard to determine whether the 4th wall was broken or the glass was just merely tapped. Here are some lines that illustrate that point:
1. "Sigh. Good idea. I'll go start the training montage music." p. 73
2. "Where? I feel like I missed some exposition..." p. 81
Verdict: Go read it! I really hope another one does come out!
July 21, 2023
I know of a lot of comic book fans that would not enjoy this book because it's not canon: true to the comic books. But I really thought Bruce Wayne: Not Super was a delight.
In Gotham City, there is a special academy for students with special powers. Called Gotham Preparatory School for the Really, Really Gifted, the student body is composed of heroes and villains. But NO VIGILANTES! And that's a really hard rule for young Bruce Wayne to follow as he's the only student at Gotham Prep without powers and being a vigilante is what the teen put as his career goal.
Typically, if you do not have powers, you're not allowed to attend Gotham Prep. However, because Bruce's parents basically put up all the money to build the school, the heir to the Wayne family fortune was given an exception. Yet, if you ask me, I really think Stuart Gibbs got it wrong with this plot point.
Dick Grayson, Oliver Queen, and other regular Joe (non-powered) characters from the DC Universe are students at Gotham Prep. Being an acrobat isn't a super power. Neither is being a crack shot with a bow & arrow. They're skills. Not super powers. So, in my opinion, Bruce Wayne isn't the only pupil who is not 'really, really gifted.'
Bruce Wayne: Not Super was a fun book with lots of funny moments. Seeing Bruce working with his faithful butler Alfred to design an animal costume that strikes fear in the hearts of villains was very funny. Once Bruce decides to become a Bat-Man, his Wile E. Coyote-like misadventures with his array of bat-themed gadgets was hilarious. And seeing Bruce forge relationships with Dick Grayson, Selina Kyle and other characters was rather heartwarming. I just wish that Stuart Gibbs hadn't made Clark Kent such an unlikable character.
I guess in high school, as Clark develops his powers, he'd be rather smug about it. He'd want to try and use his abilities to get the upper hand at things, especially sports. But I don't think Clark Kent would ever be a bully. Ma and Pa Kent just won't stand for that!
Okay, I realize that I've pointed out a couple of problems I had with this book. But I like to think that I've overlooked enough to really have enjoyed what I read. Everything is set up for a sequel and I couldn't have been more thrilled with that prospect.
I think young readers of the recommended age of 8-12 years will not mind at all seeing their favorite heroes and villains as classmates. Parents may not like seeing some future icons of truth and justice acting the opposite of those innate ideals. But I think the real message behind this story is growth. Whether it be in growing more confidence in yourself to seeing your flaws and improving on them; failing at things but learning to get better from those times of disappointment is an important lesson both children and adults seem to have not been taught anymore.
Life is hard. It can get better. Bruce Wayne learns this through help from his father figure Alfred, good buddy Dick and most importantly, himself!
In Gotham City, there is a special academy for students with special powers. Called Gotham Preparatory School for the Really, Really Gifted, the student body is composed of heroes and villains. But NO VIGILANTES! And that's a really hard rule for young Bruce Wayne to follow as he's the only student at Gotham Prep without powers and being a vigilante is what the teen put as his career goal.
Typically, if you do not have powers, you're not allowed to attend Gotham Prep. However, because Bruce's parents basically put up all the money to build the school, the heir to the Wayne family fortune was given an exception. Yet, if you ask me, I really think Stuart Gibbs got it wrong with this plot point.
Dick Grayson, Oliver Queen, and other regular Joe (non-powered) characters from the DC Universe are students at Gotham Prep. Being an acrobat isn't a super power. Neither is being a crack shot with a bow & arrow. They're skills. Not super powers. So, in my opinion, Bruce Wayne isn't the only pupil who is not 'really, really gifted.'
Bruce Wayne: Not Super was a fun book with lots of funny moments. Seeing Bruce working with his faithful butler Alfred to design an animal costume that strikes fear in the hearts of villains was very funny. Once Bruce decides to become a Bat-Man, his Wile E. Coyote-like misadventures with his array of bat-themed gadgets was hilarious. And seeing Bruce forge relationships with Dick Grayson, Selina Kyle and other characters was rather heartwarming. I just wish that Stuart Gibbs hadn't made Clark Kent such an unlikable character.
I guess in high school, as Clark develops his powers, he'd be rather smug about it. He'd want to try and use his abilities to get the upper hand at things, especially sports. But I don't think Clark Kent would ever be a bully. Ma and Pa Kent just won't stand for that!
Okay, I realize that I've pointed out a couple of problems I had with this book. But I like to think that I've overlooked enough to really have enjoyed what I read. Everything is set up for a sequel and I couldn't have been more thrilled with that prospect.
I think young readers of the recommended age of 8-12 years will not mind at all seeing their favorite heroes and villains as classmates. Parents may not like seeing some future icons of truth and justice acting the opposite of those innate ideals. But I think the real message behind this story is growth. Whether it be in growing more confidence in yourself to seeing your flaws and improving on them; failing at things but learning to get better from those times of disappointment is an important lesson both children and adults seem to have not been taught anymore.
Life is hard. It can get better. Bruce Wayne learns this through help from his father figure Alfred, good buddy Dick and most importantly, himself!
May 7, 2024
I recently had the opportunity to check out Bruce Wayne: Not Super from DC Comics. The story is from Stuart Gibbs and the artwork is from Berat Pekmezci, and it is obviously about Batman.
The middle-grade graphic novel follows a teenage Cape Crusader going to school with every other DC character. Heroes and villains all going to school together is a funny concept that I think is pulled off well here.
What’s the joke about Batman? He’s just a rich kid with no powers, so what happens when he goes to a prep school with Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Arrow, etc.? Bruce has to come to grip with having no powers and how that affects his daily interactions with his classmates.
Bruce’s alienation at being powerless directly conflicts with his goal of being a vigilante hero for Gotham City. His camaraderie with Dick Grayson (Robin) helps him work through his feelings on wanting to be Ferretman Batman.
Aging adult characters down to young teens can come with their own difficulties, but I think Pekmezci nailed it. The artwork is very good throughout this book.
It may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but I really dig these “Elseworlds” stories that place the heroes in completely weird situations. And, what’s weirder than a middle/high school full of super-powered kids!
Clearly, I wasn’t the intended audience for this book, but I think those kids will have a great time reading this.
Thank you Netgalley and DC Entertainment for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
The middle-grade graphic novel follows a teenage Cape Crusader going to school with every other DC character. Heroes and villains all going to school together is a funny concept that I think is pulled off well here.
What’s the joke about Batman? He’s just a rich kid with no powers, so what happens when he goes to a prep school with Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Arrow, etc.? Bruce has to come to grip with having no powers and how that affects his daily interactions with his classmates.
Bruce’s alienation at being powerless directly conflicts with his goal of being a vigilante hero for Gotham City. His camaraderie with Dick Grayson (Robin) helps him work through his feelings on wanting to be Ferretman Batman.
Aging adult characters down to young teens can come with their own difficulties, but I think Pekmezci nailed it. The artwork is very good throughout this book.
It may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but I really dig these “Elseworlds” stories that place the heroes in completely weird situations. And, what’s weirder than a middle/high school full of super-powered kids!
Clearly, I wasn’t the intended audience for this book, but I think those kids will have a great time reading this.
Thank you Netgalley and DC Entertainment for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
February 26, 2024
I'm not a huge DC fan and have never really read the comics. I have seen most of the movies, watched the Batman cartoon as a kid, and have watched a number of the DC television shows. This particular version of Bruce is an annoying and whiny character--he's only relatable in the sense that he wants to be like everyone else at his school.
The concept of the school itself seems silly--even the villains are there, and I'm confused as to why, since Bruce doesn't have any superpowers. He's simply incredibly intelligent with an eidetic memory, which doesn't qualify as a superpower. Selena Kyle suddenly has an affinity for cats, whereas, in the DC canon, she's intelligent, athletic, and quick. The only superpower she ever has is Michelle Pfieffer's version where she comes back from the dead
I'm also not fond of the way that the heroes are being depicted--Clark Kent is a cheat and a bully. I'm all for a good reimagining, but this just seems trite. Bruce's origin story is that of a driven character who is obsessed with being a force for justice.
Overall, the storyline comes across as satire, which isn't something that middle-grade students often get--they may find humor in some of Bruce's antics, or Clark Kent's bullying, which isn't exactly the sort of behavior they need any help imitating.
The concept of the school itself seems silly--even the villains are there, and I'm confused as to why, since Bruce doesn't have any superpowers. He's simply incredibly intelligent with an eidetic memory, which doesn't qualify as a superpower. Selena Kyle suddenly has an affinity for cats, whereas, in the DC canon, she's intelligent, athletic, and quick. The only superpower she ever has is Michelle Pfieffer's version where she comes back from the dead
I'm also not fond of the way that the heroes are being depicted--Clark Kent is a cheat and a bully. I'm all for a good reimagining, but this just seems trite. Bruce's origin story is that of a driven character who is obsessed with being a force for justice.
Overall, the storyline comes across as satire, which isn't something that middle-grade students often get--they may find humor in some of Bruce's antics, or Clark Kent's bullying, which isn't exactly the sort of behavior they need any help imitating.
March 21, 2023
This was a quite enjoyable read and a bit of a deviation from the normal Batman and Justice League (mainly) stories. I liked that Gibbs kind of upended our expectation by having all of the heroes basically too focused on being super for themselves to help others, and how Bruce is actually made to feel like being a vigilante is a bad thing.
The story moves quickly. The main characters are well developed. And the artwork is nice and bright. Despite the Gotham City bleakness. I did find a few things harder to reconcile as I was trying to fit together some of the pieces, like Robin and his involvement. I think I was picturing how the plot would lead them to be the characters from the more normalized storyline which was probably the wrong approach to take.
I would probably recommend this for a middle schooler or above who likes the DC and Marvel universe but prefers a more linear story than some of the comics afford. It is definitely a stand alone, although there is some indication that there may be more volumes in the future. I look forward to that, although if this was a single volume, I wouldn't mind because I feel it wraps up well enough and I can probably guess where it goes from middle school to adulthood.
* Received a copy via NetGalley.
The story moves quickly. The main characters are well developed. And the artwork is nice and bright. Despite the Gotham City bleakness. I did find a few things harder to reconcile as I was trying to fit together some of the pieces, like Robin and his involvement. I think I was picturing how the plot would lead them to be the characters from the more normalized storyline which was probably the wrong approach to take.
I would probably recommend this for a middle schooler or above who likes the DC and Marvel universe but prefers a more linear story than some of the comics afford. It is definitely a stand alone, although there is some indication that there may be more volumes in the future. I look forward to that, although if this was a single volume, I wouldn't mind because I feel it wraps up well enough and I can probably guess where it goes from middle school to adulthood.
* Received a copy via NetGalley.
October 25, 2023
Bruce Wayne is the only student at Gotham Prep without powers. He knows he's only there because his parents made a huge donation to the school. Bruce sees all these kids at the school who could be using their powers for good, but few are doing anything. He decides that he needs to do something, because Gotham is a hotbed of crime. But what can a middle schooler without powers do against villains?
This is probably my favorite Batman story ever. Am I surprised? No, because Stuart Gibbs wrote this one. He's brought his middle grade magic to the DC world and made Bruce Wayne a likable middle school kid trying to do his best to stand up to injustice since no one else is. It's both inspiring and entertaining, with good touches of humor. I really like how Alfred is portrayed, the montage of choosing a super persona is hilarious, and Robin's terror of robins is equally hilarious. Overall, a very entertaining reimagining of Batman's origin as a middle schooler.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There is some bullying portrayed and battles with bad guys, but no one is seriously hurt in the present (Bruce's parents being killed during a robbery is referenced).
This is probably my favorite Batman story ever. Am I surprised? No, because Stuart Gibbs wrote this one. He's brought his middle grade magic to the DC world and made Bruce Wayne a likable middle school kid trying to do his best to stand up to injustice since no one else is. It's both inspiring and entertaining, with good touches of humor. I really like how Alfred is portrayed, the montage of choosing a super persona is hilarious, and Robin's terror of robins is equally hilarious. Overall, a very entertaining reimagining of Batman's origin as a middle schooler.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There is some bullying portrayed and battles with bad guys, but no one is seriously hurt in the present (Bruce's parents being killed during a robbery is referenced).
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