Quincredible Vol 1 is a comic book with an all-black and diverse cast, set in New Orleans after the passage of Katrina and other natural catastrophes. The story follows high schooler Quin, who dreams of being a superhero and not that weird kid with no friends. His life changes for the better when he walks out of a meteor shower with the power of invulnerability. But he soons discovers that there's more to the superhero life than cool costumes and fame.


Guys, I am so glad I requested this GN. I read it in a couple of hours and there's so much I loved about it.

First, our main character Quin. I instantly connected with him, and he won me over with that scene where he hugs the guys bullying him. He hugs them!
Quin is precious, ready to take a hit and more mature than the casual teen superheroes we're used too—let's not talk about his embarrassing crush over Britt though.
Maybe it's having the weight of his culture on his shoulders, as a Black teenager from a rather "complicated" neighborhood, but he's rational, and his decisions make sense for someone his age. His character has a great—and hilarious—voice, and I can't wait to see more of him.
More than anything, I loved his relationship with his family. Lord, they were AMAZING! So supportive, and the fact that in critical points of the story, there would be flashbacks showing how they got through Katrina together, the little moments from his childhood, I loved every second of it. Really, really wish there would be more parents like them in fiction.

Another thing about the story is how the worldbuilding was done. I loved the fact that it showed how the natural events impacted the Black community that's at the center of the story, the reaction of the police force towards the new balance of power. The story is multi-layered, not centering trauma but showing inequalities on a psychological level. Like what justified the wave of criminality in the Black neighborhoods, how the perpetrators should be treated.
There's so much to this story, and by the end I was just happy to have found such a gem.

I would say though, that I would've like the villain to be more developed. Yes, the ending leaves possibilities for his arc but the part where his motivations were explained felt a bit rushed, as well as the climax of the story. I hope that we'll get more information about him in the future.

The art style was great, and reminded me of the one from The Legend of Korra: Turf Wars (I don't know if it's the same illustrator, just getting the same vibe).


Overall this is a solid five-star read, that I would recommend to fans of Miles Morales, Black Lightning and The Hate U Give.

TL;DR: all-black cast, relatable teen MC, amazing parents, a HIJABI SUPERHERO! (that was such a good surprise). Pick this up, you won't regret it!


Thanks to the publisher for receiving an ARC of this book, which in no way influences my opinion.

I need volume 2...now! Quin is a high school student who walked away from a meteor shower with the power of invulnerability. Only invulnerability. What good is that to a short, scrawny guy who's the punching bag for the neighborhood? At least the punches don't hurt anymore. When Quin decides to become a superhero like the other Enhanced he sees on tv, he doesn't realize how hard it is to do the right thing when everything is going wrong around him. Recommended for all readers and all public libraries.

After 'The Event', Quin suddenly isnt your average high school boy anymore. He is invulnerable. Maybe not the coolest power in his opinion. He can't fly or shoot webs out of his hands, but that doesn't mean that his power can't be useful.
When he meets a superhero who also got their power from 'The Event', his dream to become a superhero grows stronger and stronger.

Quincredible was a delight. I still find comic books to lack diversity, so have was happy to see that the main characters in this comic are mostly Black!

Quin is a character you can't help but root for. He has a kind heart, but isn't afraid to stand up for himself. I'm excited to read more stories about Quin!

The art is amazing! Selina Espiritu did a great job. I loved it when they drew the panels on the body of a character. It made the scene more intense!

Quincredible was a fun read and memorable as superhero stories go. Rodney Barnes brings creativity to this book, and the art is detailed and attractive. An enjoyable graphic novel from Oni Press.

** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Copy received through Netgalley

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Quincredible, Vol. 1: Quest to Be the Best
Rodney Barnes, Selina Espiritu, Kelly Fitzpatrick
★★★★★
144 Pages
Themes: BLM, bullying, supers, politics, self-discovery


Quincredible is a brilliant, clever comic that is desperately relevant and necessary for 2020. With a strong message of hope and power, it puts a young, black, loner geek centre-stage.

The story is part adventure, part self-discovery and part self-belief. It has a good balance of strength, hope, danger and adventure, promoting an open mind and reminding kids that there is a balance between good and bad, that the world is full of shades of gray and people aren't always what they seem.

I haven't read the “shared universe” this book belongs in, but I don't think I need to. Though there are a host of superheroes introduced, Quin explored how that came about well enough that I don't feel like I'm missing anything.

What I really loved was the message about people and society, in general. Yes, there were hugely relevant and important references to BLM, to police action and important instances in American history, such as Katrina and the politics of white vs black, cops vs black. But the story was deeper than one single issue, and more than the sum of its parts. It's a perfect message for kids, wrapped up in a superhero adventure.

Quin is a brave kid, despite having no friends, bullies, and a super power. He's got a girl he wants to impress, but he's discovering lines he's not willing to cross, even in Volume 1. Don't be woke for the sake of it. Don't blindly follow, if you know it's wrong. Some freedom fighters will follow the crowd to whatever end, never stopping to think of whether it's right. Some people – even those we trust, and people in power/authority – have an agenda. But it also shows that people have a breaking point, and when pushed, people can snap. Not all bad guys are evil, but can be misguided and feeling helpless when all other avenues have failed.

I can't wait for the next volume.

~

Favourite Panel

<img src="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/b3/2d/e4/b32de41e5d95bda85b0e0d9baedee5a3.jpg" width="450" height="150" alt="description"/>

Title- Quincredible: Quest to be the Best (Vol. 1)
Written by: Rodney Barnes
Illustration: Selina Espiritu
Publisher: Oni Press
Genre: Graphic Novel
Rating: 4.7/5 stars

Have You ever thought what you are gonna do if someday you discover that you have superpowers? It would be confusing! right?

Yes, I was utterly confusing for Quin too,who lives in New Orleans with his parents and he is a die hard fan of superheroes. He don't have any friends and most of time he gets punched by the bullies in school. He prefers to live in his own world of dreams and has a huge crush on a girl from his school, Brittany Barnes but unfortunately he never gatthers the courage to ask her out.

The story beings at the time when the New Orleans is in a state of utter mayhem. A few months back the city witnessed hurricane Katrina followed by the meteor shower which devastated the lives of the people. But for a few individuals it brings the gift of supernatural powers. As these new superheroes takes the responsibility of protecting their city, the tension between the police and the superheroes raises. Besides, there are protests going on in the city against the goverment and the decisions they have taken so far incontroling the destruction. In one such event, while chased by the police, Quin discovers he is invulnerable.

As Quin explors his superpowers, thinking about how Brittany will be super impressed , he is unaware of the fact that a great danger is gradually approaching towards the city. A danger which can wipe the very existence of his beloved city from the map of the world.

Will Quin be able to save his city from the impending danger?
To know that you have go through the work.

Review: The first thing that I absolutely loved about the work is the way it connects with the readers. With the mastery of his narration, Rodney Barnes has presented the story of Quin in such a way that it instantly makes the reader interested to explore the story. Rodney has done a commendable job in creating an air of suspense throughout the story.

As far as the character construction is concerned it is absolutely fantastic. Whether it is the character of Quin, with his doubts and childlike inquisitive nature, or his father, who has played a major role in helping Quin find a purpose in life, or the character of the villain, everyone is created with utmost care and attention.

Another thing I love the most about this work is the way the author has merged the tension of the outside situation with the protagonist's inner conflict, which makes him mature and finally Quin evolves from an innocent teenager to a superhero.

Selina Espiritu has done an equally commendable job. The thing I loved the most is her attention to details.The way she has illustrated the events, it almost felt like I was witnessing Quin in his quest to protect the city through my mind's eye. The scenes are vivid and picturesque and provides an amazing reading experience.

Overall, it was an amazing read. I give this work 4.7 stars and recommend everyone to give it a try.

Happy Reading

Thank you NetGalley for an Advanced copy of this Graphic Novel. Amazing take on a modern superhero story. It deals with a lot of issues that are very current in our country while also setting up a great fictional storyline as well. The characters And their character arcs were great and I can’t wait to read more about them. I definitely enjoyed this story and will definitely recommend it to others.

I can’t wait for the next volume! This comic was a rollercoaster ride in the best way possible. It was written wonderfully, the dialogue believable, and the ART STYLE! It was so pleasing to look at. Would definitely recommend.

I received an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Heartfelt, inspiring and hard hitting. Quincredible is sure to sweep you off your feet!

Growing up, I could name on one hand the superheroes who looked like me and members of my family. Partly due to the lack of resources where I grew up, but also, because there just aren't enough. Quincredible gives young, black, graphic novel enthusiast's something to look forward to. I loved it and couldn't put it down.

Quincredible Vol. 1 is a fun and thought-provoking introduction to a new super-powered world. With a truly diverse set of characters and a background of a community trying to heal from a natural disaster, we follow an absolutely relatable young man, Quin, as he navigates high school in a time of adversity. And, like many high schoolers before him (in the world of comics), he is faced with a great responsibility he may, or may not, be ready for. Quin is invincible, but only in the physical sense.

It's been a long time since I've read a comic that brings about the feelings of nostalgia like this one. In some ways, Quin is comparable to Peter Parker, but he's not your run of the mill hero like Spider-Man. He's relevant and ultra relatable for the modern teen, not blessed with any power other than the inability to get hurt. He's not strong, he's not, well particularly amazing, and that's what makes him incredible. He's facing the same issues youth are facing today, and he's an example that really anyone can make a change for the better.

I'm thoroughly excited about this series and am looking forward to the future of this universe and Quin's growth as a character.

Thank you to the publisher for giving me a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely adored this comic! I thought it was amazing and that it showed so much character development. In this story we follow Quinton on his journey and I loved seeing all the events that evolved around him.

The art style of this comic is really good and intriguing. The main characters all have good dialogue which thank god, we all know how shitty it is when you read a comic with bad dialogue. The whole flow of the story was good. And there were no plot holes that I was concerned enough about to be annoyed about so to say!

I loved this comic so much and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a genuine and fun read. I will definitely re-read this in the future and I'm hoping for a volume 2 soon :D

I’ve been getting more into comic books/ graphic novels lately and this did not disappoint. I can't wait for the next book. I found it inspiring that the main character didn’t have the conference and slowly grew into it. I love that this story doesn’t go into stereotypes but tells a refreshing story on grown. I personally enjoyed it very much!

I really enjoyed this graphic novel! The artwork was amazing and the relation to real life events was great. Watching Quin's journey of finding himself is definitely something I'd continue on with in the future.

Loved this it's a great adventure comic book set in New Orleans after Katrina and a meteor shower which Quin got caught up in and is now indestructible. His efforts to understand what this means, to keep his family safe and to do the right thing, lead him into various adventures and dangerous situations. He is a familiar hero, bit nerdy, has a crush on a girl but with the twist of being Black as demonstrated when he explains as Audre Lorde once did that the masters tools can not dismantle the masters house. The story is nuanced, the characters are well developed (especially his parents) and I really enjoyed the adventure and the political messages subtly included. The drawing is also clean and sharp and good use of colours. Thoroughly enjoyable escapism.

With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This comic book is fascinating! I can't wait for the next volume. Found it inspiring, Quin believed there was nothing he could do until he had a chance meeting with an Enhanced hero and received some advice. Quin then believed he can make a difference and starts working on it to become a hero like the enhanced heroes he looks up to.

When I saw Quincredible was written by Rodney Barnes, I instantly put a request to read and review this book. While writing reviews for another site, I was introduced to Barnes via his Image Comics title, Killadelphia (which is very good and I’ll need to write up at some point). While the entry point was the Philadelphia setting, I fell in love with Barnes’s writing. And while Killadelphia is not the typical comic book I read, Quincredible definitely falls more in line with the type that I do.

Quincredible Volume 1 Quest to be the Best collects five chapters (and some extras) over 144 pages in this graphic novel from Oni Press and is set to release in early 2021. The story features Quinton West, your average high school freshman—who is invulnerable. In short, the story follows Quin, a small guy who goes from getting beat up to a small guy who can’t be hurt after “The Event”—a meteor shower that grants him no other powers than invulnerability (and something that I hope gets explored more someday).

Featuring a diverse cast set in New Orleans, Quincredible deals with some very real issues that face that area in the wake of Katrina and “The Event”. Quin dreams of being a superhero, but has a hard time thinking he can actually do anything with his power—sure, he can’t get hurt, but what are the limitations to his invulnerability? Aside from taking a punch, what can he do to help? Don’t forget about all that freshman high school work and pining over his crush.

What I really like about Quin is how relatable he is. And while I can’t speak for his experiences of living through Katrina or growing up Black, I can relate to “awkward, nerdy, teenager”. Whether that was Barnes’s intention or not, I’m not sure, but Quin reminds me very much of a Peter Parker type hero—powers don’t necessarily make his life any easier and he still has his life to worry about. The Peter Parker comparison doesn’t stop with how relatable Quin is, but even with his attitude… when we first see him interact with some bullies, he uses charm and wit to navigate the situation. We see his insecurities when it comes to the girl, Brittany, his powers, and his community.

The strength of this book is how it paints this community. Quin wants to help and is eventually inspired by other enhanced folks, particularly Glow who ends up being a sort of mentor. And when given the opportunity to talk about doing some good and helping stop crime, Quin is sort of the linchpin that connects the other heroes to the community. Yes, there are some people doing bad things, but the system made it so they had no other choice to survive. They’re being used by the ultimate big bad.

Quin’s relationship with his family is incredibly heartwarming. Especially, at least at first, how incredibly normal it is. Most superheroes tend to have parental issues as a focal point in their origin stories, but it’s nearly the opposite here. If I’m being honest, there’s a moment near the end of the book between Quin and his parents that, for me, is the highlight of the book.

If you can’t tell, I’m a big fan of Barnes’s writing. Quincredible feels right at home with Spider-Man, Static Shock, Batman Beyond, and other young superhero stories. The story is grounded in both reality and fantasy and Barnes makes sure our hero fails before being able to rise up and come out on top. If I had to pick one thing to nitpick, it’s that the villain, Alexandre Zelime, isn’t developed enough. His backstory is explored in 2 pages and I would have loved to see maybe another 10 to 15 pages.

Selina Espiritu’s art and Kelly Fitzpatrick’s colors are also top-notch in Quincredible. It stands toe to toe with any modern superhero comic book and then some. The shading is some of the best I’ve seen and the colors popped really well, especially purple! There are only one or two panels, out of the 144-page book, where it seems like characters are in weird positions or awkward angles, but it’s never distracting. I’m excited to dive into more of both Espiritu’s and Fitzpatrick’s work in the future!

Quincredible Volume 1: Quest to be the Best is a wonderful coming of age story about trying to find yourself while dealing with both normal and abnormal stresses that come with being an enhanced high school student. Not only is this a great story for adults, but it should also be on every kid’s bookshelf.

SCORE: 9.6/10

For full transparency: I received a review copy of this work from NetGalley. That said, this is an honest review, and receiving a review copy has not influenced my thoughts and rating of this work.

Quincredible Volume 1 is such an uplifting and interesting story with a black kid as the main character, superheroes of color, and an overall diverse cast of characters. This is not your typical superhero story where it is bad versus good and the bad guys are bad and the good guys are good (though the good guys are pretty good). It's a graphic novel that speaks to human nature and the range that it entails.

Teenage boy Quin (aka Quincredible) is just a boy in New Orleans trying to live his life and find his place in it. But besides his incredible smarts and great personality, he is anything but normal...he is indestructible. Or as far as he can discern he cannot be hurt (that doesn't keep people from trying though). He has a good heart and he just wants to help his community and the people in it heal from Katrina and other disasters that keep happening to it.

He decides to use his power to help the community. But he soon learns that helping his community isn't just about putting the bad guys (who aren't really bad at all just people who are hurt and frustrated) behind bars. Doing this just continues the negative cycle. Instead, he reaches out to the other supes and helps form a long term plan to help the people around him change, grow, and pull themselves out of their grim situations.

With a cast of diverse and multifaceted characters as well as a compelling and fulfilling narrative, this graphic novel is one for the bookshelves!

10/10 will definitely read again as well as recommend to anyone who will stop and listen to me gush! Pick up a copy! You won't regret it!

Action packed, cool concepts, poc super charismatic main character, so well illustrated! So cool! Cannot wait for the next adventures!