Whistle

Whistle

  • Downloads:6712
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2021-03-28 12:13:37
  • Update Date:2025-09-07
  • Status:finish
  • Author:E. Lockhart
  • ISBN:1401293220
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

From New York Times bestselling author E。 Lockhart (Genuine FraudWe Were Liars) and artist Manuel Preitano (The Oracle Code) comes a new Gotham City superhero in this exciting YA graphic novel。

Sixteen-year-old Willow Zimmerman has something to say。 When she's not on the streets advocating for her community, she's volunteering at the local pet shelter。 She seeks to help all those in need, even the stray dog she's named Lebowitz that follows her around。 But as much as she does for the world around her, she struggles closer to home--taking care of her mother, recently diagnosed with cancer。 Her job as an adjunct professor of Jewish studies does not provide adequate health insurance--and Willow can see that time is running out。

When in desperation she reconnects with her estranged "uncle" Edward, he opens the door to an easier life。 Through simple jobs, such as hosting his private poker nights with Gotham City's elites, she is able to keep her family afloat--and afford critical medical treatments for her mother。

Willow's family life quickly improves through the income provided by these jobs, but it comes at the cost of distancing herself from the people she truly cares about。 Her time is now spent on new connections, such as biologist and teacher Pammie Isley。 And when Willow and Lebowitz collide with the monstrous Killer Croc outside the local synagogue, they are both injured, only to wake up being able to understand each other。 And there are other developments, too。。。strange ways in which they've become stronger together。 Willow's activism kicks into high gear--with these powers, she can really save the world!

But when Willow discovers that Edward and his friends are actually some of Gotham's most corrupt criminals, she must make a choice: remain loyal to the man who kept her family together, or use her new powers to be a voice for her community。

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Reviews

Andrew

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 Thanks to the author, artist, publisher, and NetGalley for letting me read the eARC in exchange for an honest review。 Any opinions expressed in the review are my own, and do not reflect any place of employment or organizational affiliations。Full review forthcoming, but I really liked it, and I think most folks will too。 I love Gotham remixes, and the wholesome, offbeat nature of the story reminds me of Ms。 Marvel/Squirrel Girl in both tone and overall positivity。 While some elements were predict Thanks to the author, artist, publisher, and NetGalley for letting me read the eARC in exchange for an honest review。 Any opinions expressed in the review are my own, and do not reflect any place of employment or organizational affiliations。Full review forthcoming, but I really liked it, and I think most folks will too。 I love Gotham remixes, and the wholesome, offbeat nature of the story reminds me of Ms。 Marvel/Squirrel Girl in both tone and overall positivity。 While some elements were predictable for regular Batman readers, the new take on these characters (and the new ones) is refreshing。 I will revisit this review with more of my thoughts at a later date。 。。。more

Verónica Muñiz-Soto

Dc Comics YA line is amazing and continues to tackle different issues。 Lockhart's writing is insightful and brings up how gentrification and economic disparity is affecting teens and families in Gotham。 Another amazing aspect of the book is Lockhart's take on The Riddler and Poison Ivy as new and upcoming villains。 Manuel Preitano's (The Oracle Code) illustration reminded me of Ed Brubaker's color palette but brighter, a polished narrative arc drawn and colored to excellence。 Things to look out Dc Comics YA line is amazing and continues to tackle different issues。 Lockhart's writing is insightful and brings up how gentrification and economic disparity is affecting teens and families in Gotham。 Another amazing aspect of the book is Lockhart's take on The Riddler and Poison Ivy as new and upcoming villains。 Manuel Preitano's (The Oracle Code) illustration reminded me of Ed Brubaker's color palette but brighter, a polished narrative arc drawn and colored to excellence。 Things to look out for: A Jewish superhero with sidekick dogs, a young Poison Ivy reclaiming the green space, The Riddler trying to make amends with a past life while sinking in contradicting actions, gentrification as a major theme in comics。This book is definitely a great addition to every library and a great introduction to superhero YA graphic novels! 。。。more

Samantha

I continue to be impressed by what DC Comics is doing with their YA graphic novels to draw in a younger audience, especially young women。 I’ve enjoyed a lot of the graphic novels from this DC subset, but Whistle might be my favorite to date。 I adore E。 Lockhart’s work and was thrilled to find that she was one of the authors working with DC。 The results definitely don’t disappoint。 I love how Lockhart threaded Whistle’s origin story through Willow’s connections to the Riddler and Poison Ivy。 Will I continue to be impressed by what DC Comics is doing with their YA graphic novels to draw in a younger audience, especially young women。 I’ve enjoyed a lot of the graphic novels from this DC subset, but Whistle might be my favorite to date。 I adore E。 Lockhart’s work and was thrilled to find that she was one of the authors working with DC。 The results definitely don’t disappoint。 I love how Lockhart threaded Whistle’s origin story through Willow’s connections to the Riddler and Poison Ivy。 Willow’s situation at home presents an interesting conundrum of what types of actions become justifiable if they somehow help our loved ones, and how we atone for whatever guilt we feel as a result。And of course, the best part of Willow/Whistle’ s story? Her superpower has made her into some kind of hybrid of a dog and a person who attracts and commands dogs! Not sure I can think of a better superpower than that。 Let’s discuss the art for a moment, because it was outstanding。 I love the way Manuel Preitano tendered both Gorham and its citizens, and his style and color palette were absolutely perfect for the story。 I do wish that Lebowitz/The Hound had gotten more dialogue, but perhaps that will come in further installments。Speaking of, I do hope that said further installments actually happen。 It seems that DC is producing a lot of these YA origin story graphic novels about a huge variety of characters, but so far not much in the way of series continuations。 I suppose they’re going for high volume and then seeing which get the most buzz, but it’s a little disappointing to consistently invest in/become attached to these only to see the series never progress beyond one graphic novel。 I hope this changes in the future, and I especially hope this particular story gets green lit to continue。 I need more of Whistle and The Hound! *I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review。* 。。。more

Erin

I liked this! I thought it was cool to have a Jewish teenage superhero and I liked the little touches of DC sprinkled throughout, on shirts and posters and graffiti。 The story itself is a little awkward, especially the resolution, but overall, this is one of the better ones in this line。

Julien

This is a really cool reimagining of Gotham City and its villains (and presumably heroes) that complicates the relationship between right and wrong in a way that is both very real and not overly nihilistic。 The main character, Willow, is doing the best she can to stay true to herself and help her family with the options she has。 She believes in the good in people, even when they disappoint her, and she believes in tikkun olam (repairing the world)。 It's a refreshing take on a genre filled to the This is a really cool reimagining of Gotham City and its villains (and presumably heroes) that complicates the relationship between right and wrong in a way that is both very real and not overly nihilistic。 The main character, Willow, is doing the best she can to stay true to herself and help her family with the options she has。 She believes in the good in people, even when they disappoint her, and she believes in tikkun olam (repairing the world)。 It's a refreshing take on a genre filled to the brim with grimdark takes。 It's also relevant, in that the story uses DC characters to delve into issues of family, class, environment, and gentrification, but never strays into ham-fisted territory。 The dog-based superpowers are pretty fun too。 I do wish it delved more into the relationship Willow has with her friends, but that may be for later parts of the series。 This is definitely Whistle's origin story。 In any case, if they keep being this good, they'll definitely be worth picking up。Recommended for readers of young adult fiction who want the complications of a good superhero story with the optimism of a classic superhero story。 。。。more

Jenn Adams

A quick read, perfectly pleasant but ultimately forgettable。Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review。

Elizabeth

Willow is desperate to find a way to help her mother who is suffering from cancer and unable to pay the bills treatment would incur。 One of her mother's former friends, E Nigma, offers Willow a chance to do just that! Her work isn't really on the up and up, but it isn't too nefarious。。。 While she takes on the job with E Nigma, Willow also witnesses several "greenings" in her part of the city- someone is growing enough plants in a flash to choke out entire buildings! Willow doesn't agree with the Willow is desperate to find a way to help her mother who is suffering from cancer and unable to pay the bills treatment would incur。 One of her mother's former friends, E Nigma, offers Willow a chance to do just that! Her work isn't really on the up and up, but it isn't too nefarious。。。 While she takes on the job with E Nigma, Willow also witnesses several "greenings" in her part of the city- someone is growing enough plants in a flash to choke out entire buildings! Willow doesn't agree with the destructive tactic, but isn't sure what she can do other than protest along with her friends。 In a twist of fate, Willow and her hound companion, Lebowitz, get some of their wires crossed and can communicate with one another。 Willow is also granted the ability to whistle in a way that bring dogs running from blocks away。 This book was a bit disappointing to me。 It feels like DC is trying to stretch down to middle grade ages but hasn't done it fluidly。 Willow and Lebowitz are a likeable pair, but her transformation into a hero- one who works for a villain- is not all that inviting to the reader。 I would certainly read another installment to see if she grows into a more appealing hero, but am not antsy for more the way I normally am with DC stories。 。。。more

Kit

**Netgalley and DC Comics allowed me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review**Whistle is a completely new and different type of hero from any that I have ever seen。 First of all, she is a Jewish female main character in a comic in the DC world so, I love the representation! As for the story itself – it’s definitely predictable in the sense you can pick up on who the characters are, but it doesn’t spoil the story。 It almost makes it funnier when they’re revealed as who you thought the **Netgalley and DC Comics allowed me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review**Whistle is a completely new and different type of hero from any that I have ever seen。 First of all, she is a Jewish female main character in a comic in the DC world so, I love the representation! As for the story itself – it’s definitely predictable in the sense you can pick up on who the characters are, but it doesn’t spoil the story。 It almost makes it funnier when they’re revealed as who you thought they were。 I did find the pacing a little abrupt。 Some of the scenes end and then an entirely new dialogue/moment/scene starts without a break and that can be a little confusing。 It felt unfinished at times。 Like, more conversations were supposed to be longer than they were。 I also felt the overall pacing of the novel was quick。 I think Willow could have been developed as a social activist more and her friendships could have been deeper, but Willow is still a great character。 I love her flaws and pull to want to be good and doing what she can to help those she loves。The novel had a solid shot at talking about injustices, and at the beginning, it did touch on those (when Willow is marching and fighting for more education funding rather than having more policing)。 I wish that had developed more rather than going the route of the normal DC comics of power, greed, and money。 That part felt a little stagnant when the novel could have talked about injustices and used that as the cause Willow continues to fight for。 Willow’s superpowers are quirky but honestly so fun。 This novel had me laughing quite a bit at her powers。 I also laughed at the scene where she got the powers。 That scene was a letdown because it was just so simple。 I wish there were a little more to it to show what happened。Overall, the book is funny, quirky, silly, and a fun read。 It makes you think about what an everyday hero would look and act like, what everyday powers might be like, and how someone would use powers to fight for what they believe in。 。。。more

Griffin Conlogue

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 Finished my first ARC! Takes waaaaay too long to get into the superhero of it all, but this is a fun little debut for a street level hero。 The main drama of the story hinges on Willow Zimmerman dealing with the fact that she knows her job working for The Riddler is a crime, but the money she’s making from the job is paying for her mom’s radiation。 Somewhere along the way she gains dog related super powers。 There is very little superhero action going on, but E。 Lockhart creates a realistic little Finished my first ARC! Takes waaaaay too long to get into the superhero of it all, but this is a fun little debut for a street level hero。 The main drama of the story hinges on Willow Zimmerman dealing with the fact that she knows her job working for The Riddler is a crime, but the money she’s making from the job is paying for her mom’s radiation。 Somewhere along the way she gains dog related super powers。 There is very little superhero action going on, but E。 Lockhart creates a realistic little YA world for Willow and the brevity of the story leaves you wanting more。 This will definitely connect with young female readers that are inundated with male superheroes。 DC’s push for teenage girl heroes in recent years has definitely turned my eye toward the company more。 。。。more

Maria Rowe

I really loved this - great story and illustrations! It took me a while to get into it, but I loved it by the end。 Great world building and characters。 My only complaint is that the colors are a weird mix。 The colors of the people are especially strange and distracting。 Willow’s skin looks just like a pink crayon and Garfield looks like a dark red。 But I also read an advanced copy so maybe the colors will change。 Thanks to NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review。

Morgan

Quirky, whimsical, and so much fun。 The artwork is gorgeous and that alone makes this worth picking up。 Great characters, with several Gotham Villains, and a different peek into the city of Gotham。 Not many surprises for me, because I picked up fairly early on the alter-egos, but did I have a problem with it? Absolutely not。 Willows relationship with her mom was great, and I loved any interaction with Garfield。 I want more of these characters and I just want to stare at the lovely pages。 Such a Quirky, whimsical, and so much fun。 The artwork is gorgeous and that alone makes this worth picking up。 Great characters, with several Gotham Villains, and a different peek into the city of Gotham。 Not many surprises for me, because I picked up fairly early on the alter-egos, but did I have a problem with it? Absolutely not。 Willows relationship with her mom was great, and I loved any interaction with Garfield。 I want more of these characters and I just want to stare at the lovely pages。 Such a great Young Adult Graphic Novel, I would definitely recommend。 。。。more

Oliver Harris

This was a fun graphic novel and a great introduction to a new superhero。 I have always wanted to be able to talk to animals since I was kid so any time I find a book or comic with that theme I have to read it。 I knew this hero was going to be right up my alley when I realized she had a dog and I was right。 This comic was so good I finished it and started it from the beginning right away。 I loved Whistle not only as a hero but also as a person。 She seemed very real in a lot of ways and her sort This was a fun graphic novel and a great introduction to a new superhero。 I have always wanted to be able to talk to animals since I was kid so any time I find a book or comic with that theme I have to read it。 I knew this hero was going to be right up my alley when I realized she had a dog and I was right。 This comic was so good I finished it and started it from the beginning right away。 I loved Whistle not only as a hero but also as a person。 She seemed very real in a lot of ways and her sort of gray look at right and wrong。 Also really loved seeing some of the other well known characters seen throughout Gotham。 Getting a peak at them though another lense was such a treat。 I didn't even mind the romance sesn in this comic。 It was a small factor and didn't over shine the actual point of the comic。 It is actual a great example of exactly what a romance should be outside of the romance/contemporary genre。 I honestly can't think of a bad thing to say about this comic。 I loved it from the characters to the plot to the art。 I loved every bit if it and I can not wait to get my hands of a physical copy in the future。 Thank you to Netgalley for the early review copy。 。。。more

Stacy

Thanks to NetGalley and DC Comics for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review。3 starsExtra star for a Jewish female DC Comic main character! Story didn’t keep my interest。 Goodreads’ description of the book has the wrong age of Willow。 She’s 16 not 17。 Small detail but the description on NetGalley had the correct age so why wouldn’t it be right on Goodreads?

Hannah Bergmann

Here for a new type of hero ✊🏻