A-Force

Gr 9 Up—In this female-powered installment of the series, which takes place in Battleworld, a patchwork planet ruled by Victor Doom, the utopian island of Arcadia is guarded by the A-Force. Led by She-Hulk, this team of superheroines includes a female Loki, Captain Marvel (aka Carol Danvers), Ms. America, Dazzler, Sister Grimm, Medusa, and more. When Ms. America Chavez violates one of Doom's laws in order to protect innocents, she is taken away by his troop of scantily clad Thors and banished. This event causes conflict within the ranks even as She-Hulk struggles to do the right thing by her people and the other members of the A-Force. A new friend, a betrayal, and another member who is sacrificed pepper the volume, which collects five issues in one slim package. The work also presents variant covers for some of the issues. References to heroes and villains within the Marvel universe occur often, but new readers will be able to easily follow the narrative. Themes of sisterhood, loyalty, and friendship abound. Seeing women heroes in action in this female-dominated title is certainly refreshing, especially in the last episode, in which other well-known characters, such as Wilson's own Ms. Marvel, appear. However, the bosomy depictions often feel discordant with the girl-power message.