Growing up watching movies with my Dad and uncles, they introduced me, to the movies of their era, which they loved, and back then I did not know, they were considered “grind house”. The only thing I knew is that I was in love with Pam Grier, in just about everything she did back then, from Foxy Brown to Greased Lightning, as she was this screen siren, which I still have an affinity for. The movies I believe most men my Dad’s and Uncle’s ages are the “women in prison “ movies that were a staple of 70s movies. There were so many during that era, and many of them objectified women, with mostly highly unrealistic plotlines in third world countries.

When I heard Kelly Sue DeConnick of Captain Marvel fame, was writing a new series for Image, which revolved around a women’s prison in space, I basically thought about two Pam Grier movies, “Women in Cages” and “ Big Bird Cage”. Although were highly exploitive , were for the most part, entertaining of course, wondered just how she would make this work, as I had never read any of her prior works, but the only thing that I heard was she often had a “ feminist” strand throughout her stories. As a parent of two beautiful girls, I was truly enamored with the possibilities of doing a progressive story in an exploitive setting within the science fiction genre. As this blended what I want and hope for the comics industry to push as far as diversity and inclusion goes as well as the understanding that comics should always be fun.

Within this first story arc, women are sent to a prison, which encapsulates a planet once they have been deemed “Non-Compliant”, where the “crimes” include not following the laws including adultery and the only prisoners are women. Within each issue, especially the first one, you are introduced to a different character, as you learn about each of the prisoner’s personal history but also what each of them have to endure from violence to abuse by the prison guards. As a fan of Orange is the New Black, I wanted to compare this book to the series, but more I read, there were echoes of OINTB, but really it is Wentworth. The most entertaining part of the book is really, the essays, as this has become something that’s sets the Image brand apart from everyone else, as they aim not only to entertain but educate, as the immortal KRS One used to day, ”Edutain”.

Altogether, a tightly wound intense, story arc, that very much pushes the boundaries that comics are one thing, but clear as the day is bright, this comics team shows it can be a excellent medium for every story. The story by DeConnick, proves that she is more than talent to watch, and makes me wonder just how much Marvel held her back. The art by Valentine De Landro, is a mix of old school comics’ art and new school aesthetics. Overall, if you are not reading Bitch Planet, you are ‘Non Compliant.”

Story: Kelly Sue DeConnick Art: Valentine De Landro
Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review