‘Unearthed’, takes inspiration from DC Comics ‘Green Lanterns’, something I didn’t know while reading it because I tend to skip fully reading a synopsis before jumping into a book. And because I didn’t read the synopsis, I was gutted to quickly realize that Jessica Cruz, the main character, is an undocumented teen, and her story follows a too-timely path of navigating her community dealing with I.C.E raids and one of her parents being taken by I.C.E. Here is where books meet real life, as I learned just a few days ago that the incoming president has planned I.C.E raids beginning tomorrow in Chicago and MD. But unlike the fantasy typically found in DC Comics superheroes, Jessica Cruz’s “powers” are rooted in her ability to make space for and regulate her emotions through visits with Aztec Gods. Through those visits, she’s able to see that her “power” is in using her voice, her ability to seek help from friends, and the knowledge she gains to speak out for and help her community. I wished this graphic novel wasn’t so deeply close to reality but here we are and just like Jessica Cruz’s story — we have each other.