The Princess in Black written by Shannon & Dean Hale, and illustrated by LeUyen Pham

The Princess in Black by Shannon and Dean Hale tells the story of a superhero princess. When we meet Princess Magnolia, she seems  ordinarily prim and perfect. She's having hot chocolate with Duchess Wigtower, a snoopy older royal who dropped in unexpectedly. Unabashedly she announces that she is hoping to uncover the princess's secrets. 

Unfortunately Princess Magnolia does indeed have a huge secret. In the middle of their visit, her alarm goes off. She makes up the excuse of a sick bird and scoots off to her broom closet where she quickly changes into her black super hero costume. After escaping the castle via a secret route, she arrives in the goat pasture at the entrance to Monster Land. Stopping monsters is her job as The Princess in Black.

A hungry monster in search of goats has escaped from Monster Land. Duff the goat herder is no match for him. The Princess in Black arrives just in time to battle with the monster.

Meanwhile, Duchess Wigtower has gotten bored and begun snooping around the castle. 

Will Princess in Black save the kingdom from the monster? Will Duchess Wigtower discover Princess Magnolia's secret? You will have to read the book to find out. 

Pham's illustrations are perfect for this book. There is a comic sweetness to them that smoothes out the wilder battle scenes and enhances the text perfectly.  

I am hoping this is just the first in a series!