Written by Sarah Kuhn.
Art by Arielle Jovellanos; Olivia Pecini; Melanie Ujimori; & Sam Lotfi.
Cover Art by Arielle Jovellanos; Olivia Pecini; & Melanie Ujimori.
SUMMARY:
Released by DC Comics in 2023, this 185-page Young Adult graphic novel re-imagines Lois Lane as an ultra-ambitious 18-year-old first-generation Asian American high school graduate seeking her first big break.
For the summer prior to pursuing a journalism degree at the University of Metropolis, Lois (or “Lo-chan,” as her doting mother calls her) embraces a promising internship with Cat Grant’s urban website in National City. If anything, she is at least far away from her quaint and excessively dull hometown of Macville – evidently located somewhere on the West Coast.
Lois considers this big city gig a precursor to phenomenal career accomplishments awaiting her back East at The Daily Planet someday. Yet, first she finds out that her mother has secretly arranged for Miki Mahara (Lois’ long-estranged, ex-best friend) as a summer roommate. Suffice to say, there is instant friction between Lois & Miki’s vibrant yet seemingly dissimilar personalities.
Note: It isn’t clarified if Lois & Miki are in fact cousins, as they evidently share an ‘Uncle Ronnie.’
Lois’ ‘epic’ life plan further unravels the next day as her professional idol, Cat Grant, is summarily dismissed due to corporate chicanery leaving Lois reduced to a coffee gofer. Later defending an artistic Miki’s principles to avant-garde actor/theater owner Dante Alexander, Lois smells a rat.
Having confirmed Alexander’s fraudulent scheme, Lois is dismayed that her snide boss, Bradley Beauregard Belmont (aka Triple B), has suppressed her exposé and threatens revoking her internship. With help from their shared friends, an emboldened Miki convinces Lois to collaborate on an anonymous website, “Novice Nooz!,” geared towards honest journalism for their generation.
Success and potential romances quietly blossom for both Lois and Miki. Impacting the young journalist’s newfound momentum is a spirit-crushing encounter with a downcast Cat Grant. Even worse is vengeful repercussions threatened by Belmont and Alexander once they realize how Lois & Miki have blatantly defied them. With public exposure meant to ruin their promising futures, the two friends must make a pivotal stand, regardless of the consequences.
Notes: This title is also available digitally. As a parental advisory, there are sporadic profanities, including one f-word.
REVIEW:
With unabashed exuberance, writer Sarah Kuhn’s storyline explores a bevy of contemporary themes, including racism, both gender and workplace discrimination, ethical journalism, and youthful yet non-violent rebellion. More so, Kuhn packages her plot twists to embolden girls with resiliency and a belief that dreams can come true … even if they necessitate some occasional tweaking/reality checks.
In that sense, the down-to-earth title character doesn’t really need Lois Lane’s name value for this book’s upbeat content to succeed. The ‘Lois Lane’ element, however, only further enhances Girl Taking Over’s innate charm by living up to the comic book icon’s reputation. The same applies to this art squad’s colorful visuals, which prove an ideal fit for Kuhn’s effervescent storytelling.
There is one caveat: Kuhn’s two stock villains are strictly one-dimensional egomaniacs. It isn’t necessary that either one ‘magically’ reforms by the story’s end (a cookie-cutter cliché that Kuhn doesn’t resort to). Had either Alexander or Belmont exhibited one unexpected hint of compassion, then Girl Taking Over would be a more complete story where all ethnicities deserve a level playing field.
Aside from some unnecessary profanities, Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story is a treat to read. More so, Kuhn and her collaborators supply convincing evidence that terrific Lois Lane stories don’t require a Man of Steel.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Collaborators Kuhn and Jovellanos each have a photo and biography page. Exploring their re-imagining of Cassandra Cain, there is a thirteen-page preview of Kuhn & artist Nicole Goux’s Shadow of the Batgirl graphic novel.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
