Quincredible
A Better World
A teenager with superpowers battles environmental terrorism in Rodney Barnes’s exciting graphic novel Quincredible.
Quin, who has the power of invulnerability, investigates a water crisis in New Orleans because of toxic pollutants. Adam, a troubled friend of Quin’s, develops his own powers after his exposure to radioactive waste; he falls under the influence of a misguided scientist. With his friends Glow and Brittany and with the help of his parents, Quin works to solve the mystery of the contamination, save Adam, and bring justice to his city.
Quin is an imperfect hero who’s committed to being good in the complex ways that the twenty-first century requires. Through him and in organic ways, the story addresses injustices including bullying, poverty, and the carceral system, posing ethical questions. Amid debates about ends justifying means, Quin shows compassion and bravery, impacted by his discussions with his parents. One memorable interaction is depicted in a moving two-page spread in which Quin’s father traces his family’s history of peaceful protest and the rationale of “being kind to people who are unkind.”
The detailed, full-color illustrations have great composition, adapting to the story’s pace and purpose. They are aided by the expert use of panel borders that change from traditional to dynamic, reflecting plot developments: action scenes feature irregular, diagonal borders; other scenes use rectangular panels.
Quincredible is an adventure-filled graphic novel in which a young superhero is committed to doing what’s right, even when it’s difficult.
Reviewed by
Peter Dabbene
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
