Vixen: Return of the Lion [Paperback]

G. Willow Wilson (Author), Cafu (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: December 22, 2009 | Series: Vixen

On a mission against the mega-mobsters of Intergang, the Justice League makes a stunning discovery revealing the truth behind the death of Vixen's mother. Long ago, poachers were fingered in her murder, but stunning proof arrives exposing the identity of her real killer! And the man responsible is still alive, making a vicious play for power in the homeland Vixen left years ago.

This groundbreaking 5-issue miniseries by rising stars G. Willow Wilson (OUTSIDERS: AQUAMAN/METAMORPHO, CAIRO, AIR) and Cafu (Black Panther) plunges the League's animal-powered warrior into a deeply spiritual, but instantly deadly, quest for vengeance - and draws the League itself into the newest chapter of Intergang's ever-expanding race for domination.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics; First Edition edition (December 22, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401225128
• ISBN-13: 978-1401225124
• Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 0.5 x 10.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,378,485 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in 1982, G. Willow Wilson began her writing career at 17 as a music and DJ critic for Boston's Weekly Dig. After moving to Egypt in 2003, Willow's articles and essays on Islam and the Middle East appeared in publications including the Atlantic Monthly, the New York Times, and Glamour. A lifelong fan of comics and graphic novels, Willow's first ongoing comic book series, AIR, was nominated for an Eisner Award. Her memoir, The Butterfly Mosque, the story of her conversion to Islam and life in Egypt, was named Best Book of 2010 by the Seattle Times. Her first novel, Alif the Unseen, debuts in 2012.

She enjoys British films, cooking, and World of Warcraft, and holds a purple belt in kajukenbo.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Lion Queen March 16, 2011

By Eric A. Klee VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

In the 1980s when DC Comics changed the line-up for the Justice League of America to include fledglings Vixen, Gypsy, Commander Steel, and Vibe, I was not impressed. These newcomers were JLA material? A girl (Gypsy) running around in bare feet? Methinks not.

Now, however, I have a very different opinion of the two females of that bunch. Gypsy has (thankfully) donned shoes and a costume that's strikingly similar to Wonder Woman's new (and much reviled) costume. Vixen, however, has become the best of the bunch. She's sexy and tough and deserves more recognition than she's currently given.

The strength of this story is in the solo adventures of Vixen as she returns to her homeland; the weakness is the inclusion of the Justice League. Vixen can do just fine on her own. She doesn't need other superheroes to help her carry a storyline, especially in her first solo self-titled mini-series. VIXEN: RETURN OF THE LION was quality storytelling, and I recommend it to anyone who loves good writing and exceptional artwork. Let's hope that one day Vixen gets her due.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Vixen get's the graphic novel treatment for her mini-series, and this kitten has claws. A+!!! May 23, 2011

By R. A. McDowell

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Of course I've always known who Vixen was. There needs to be more strong, powerful, sistas in mainstream comics in general. Like a lot of people, she really grew on me after her occasional roles in the Justice League cartoon. (Justice League - Season One (DC Comics Classic Collection)) Then she was a made a leading support character in the newer Justice League comics. (Justice League of America, Vol. 1: The Tornado's Path), which is INCREDIBLE! And so we come full circle to a more or less solo story, dealing with Vixen's origins and more details about her personal life (With a nice guesting role by the other JLA members). The art is simple yet breath taking, and I personally very much enjoyed the story, which is a mystery/thrill all rolled into one. I've always loved Vixen's powers, which is to mimic the abilities of any animal on Earth. And that includes past life, like dinosaurs, which was wonderfully displayed when she fought Amazo in the new Justice League comic. It's an amazing and interesting set of powers, which she can mix and match and mimic together to give herself all sorts of abilities, like strength, speed, flight, increased healing rate, etc... Bottom line is that the potential for Vixen is unlimited. She has what it takes to be a hit, but for some reason she just never seems to catch mainstream success. This may be the last Vixen mini series for awhile, but I sure enjoyed it while I was reading, and I'm delighted to add it to my collection. If you love super heroines in general, then she is a darn good one. Give this book a try, and I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Thanks so much for your time folks.
Sincerely, R.A. McDowell

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Second Hand Lion: Mediocre Comic Collection February 18, 2010

By Kevin M. Derby TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

"Vixen: Return of the Lion" is a mixed bag. This work collects the Vixen mini-series and, while Vixen is fine in a supporting role in the Justice League, she simply is not a lead character. Sadly, even the writers seem to agree with this and the second half of the work focuses more on the rest of the JLA than the title character. The writers also include every cliché ever used in stories set in Africa (lost in the jungle, check; wise shaman woman, check; the epic battle ends so we can focus on an individual fight, check; animals in the wild are the ultimate symbol of freedom, check). The art is good but not particularly memorable which is more than can be said about the standard plot. Even worse, the reader is supposed to finish the work and think that Vixen has grown; after all, she has returned home and has proven stronger. But this is not the case. You get the feeling the writers came up with the project, got the green light and, all they could come up with, is a hackneyed version of the "Lion King" with the JLA showing up at the end. The JLA appearances and solid art redeem the work to some extent but can not salvage what is, on the whole, a work that is extremely average.