In 2020, a brand-new superhero made a huge splash in the DC Universe with a burst of vibrant colors and a veritable palette of superpowers. She’s bold, she’s determined, she’s…12 years old?! We could only be talking about Primer!

The creative team of Jennifer Muro, Thomas Krajewski and Gretel Lusky brought Ashley Rayburn, AKA Primer, into the colorful mix of DC Super Heroes with her eponymous middle grade graphic novel. Since its release, Primer continues to be a popular tale for young readers who can see a lot of themselves in the perfectly imperfect young hero. But if you missed her colorful debut, don’t worry. We’re here to bring you up to speed on all things Primer with a look back at Ashley’s first adventure—which is returning to comic book stores this week in a limited four-issue series!

Blank Canvas

Ashley Rayburn might only be a preteen, but she’s already been through a lot. After the police lock up her criminal father, Ashley bounces between foster families and her group home. She has another chance for a normal life when she meets her new foster parents, Kitch and Yuka Nolan. Only, Ashley’s foster mom Yuka is hiding a big secret: she’s a scientist working on experimental chemicals for the military.

Ashley can’t help being nosy and she finds Yuka’s colorful canisters stashed away in their bedroom. After she accidentally activates the chemicals, Ashley discovers she can use the rainbow of “paint” vials to mix and match up to three superpowers by painting them on her skin. She’s officially a superhero! But Yuka’s bosses want their Project Warpaint canisters back, and one ruthless soldier is willing to do anything to get them…

“Primer” is one of the cleverest superhero names in the DC Universe. Not only does it complement the paint theme of Ashley’s superhero powers, but it also emphasizes that the 12-year-old has been given a blank canvas and a clean start in a new life. Her dangerous father scared her, and she still struggles with nightmares about him, but the warm welcome and genuine care in her new home is the fresh start she needed.

Making a Mess

As for Ashley’s superhero power (paint) set, the concept of combining different colors and powers is a preteen’s dream come true. Adolescents often experiment with who they are, trying out everything from hobbies to friend groups to hair color, until they find the combination that feels right—for today, anyway. How does fire + super strength + invulnerability sound? Or maybe super speed + stretchiness + telekinesis? As Ashley is given the freedom to explore all the superpower combinations, she learns to adapt and problem solve, while giving readers the chance to consider the powers they would use in the same situation.

Most of all, young readers will appreciate seeing Ashley make mistakes with the powers she picks and the choices she makes. Her new foster parents give her space to be an imperfect kid, and the splatters of paint on her clothes and skin are a visible reminder of that. Seeing a kid superhero mess up and be messy reassures middle grade readers that it’s absolutely okay to make mistakes. Just clean things up and make things right before you try again. (And parents, give them the freedom to make that mess and learn from it. It’ll be okay.)

Primer is a delightful superhero story for all ages, but it’s easy to see why it’s so popular with young readers. Pick up the four-issue series for that one kid you know who likes to draw on the walls or somehow manages to spill everything on their clothes. Which is, basically, all the kids you know.

Primer #1 by Jennifer Muro, Thomas Krajewski and Gretel Lusky splashes into your local comic book store tomorrow! (Or, if you prefer, the 2020 graphic novel is still available in bookstores, comic shops, libraries and digital retailers, as well.)

Kelly Knox writes about all-ages comics and animation for DC.com and her writing can also be seen on IGN, Nerdist and more. Follow her on Twitter at @kelly_knox to talk superheroes, comics and pop culture.

NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Kelly Knox and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.