LEGEND OF THE FIRE PRINCESS

A graphic-novel incarnation of Netflix’s She-Ra and the Princesses of Power reboot.

While the story assumes familiarity with the source material—it fits into the show’s timeline some unspecified time after the first season—dialogue aided by visual coding (color palettes and characters’ body language) allows total newcomers to quickly infer that Hordak’s bad guys are battling the heroic Rebellion for the fate of Etheria. Both groups are headed to the ruined and abandoned city of Candila in search of a magical runestone, the Spirit Ember. The heroes, rallied by enthusiastic Glimmer, hope that recovering it first will enable Adora to use She-Ra’s magic to heal the corrupted magic—and at the least, they must stop the Horde from gaining its power. The art style matches the show’s animation and displays the characters as diverse both racially and in terms of body shape. Additionally, the visuals are mapped out through the various beats of the lengthy action, emulating the pacing of a typical episode. While there is no overt romance, there’s plenty of subtext (especially in Scorpia’s desire to give Catra a pleasant picnic outing) for those who want it. What will really satisfy She-Ra fans is the space given to Adora and Catra’s emotional conflict and broken friendship.

Captures all of the charms of the animated show.