Goldie Vance #4
Publisher: BOOM! Box, an imprint of BOOM! Studios
Writer: Hope Larson
Artist: Brittney Williams
Cover Artists:
Main Cover: Brittney Williams
Incentive Cover: Kelsey Beckett
Price: $3.99
Now an ongoing! Goldie discovers the truth behind Ludwig’s disappearance, but will she be able to find him before someone else does?
Hope Larson and Brittney Williams have already established a cast of well-rounded, well-developed characters and a compelling plot with the first two issues of Goldie Vance, and this allows the plot to advance quite a bit with Goldie Vance #3.
Despite inching closer to an explanation for Mr. Ludwig’s disappearance in the previous issue, Goldie now faces some consequences for her actions. Her rash actions have left her in a bit of a pickle, and meanwhile, the mystery of Ludwig and his curiously engraved necklace gets a little more complicated.
Larson’s skill as a writer is highlighted with each issue of Goldie Vance. There are several places where it would be easy to slip into a series full of teen detective tropes, but Larson and Williams navigate away from this and instead use the story and characters break several stereotypes. Two examples of this include Goldie and Cheryl being interested in cars and science, respectively, and the men in the story being the ones who fawn over the female characters rather than the other way around. The mystery in the story itself is engaging, with no obvious outcome, and all of these elements create a fresh and interesting detective story.
Goldie is a great character with a strong moral compass and wonderful supporting characters. The whole crew is diverse, both in interests and in appearance, something else that subverts the typical tropes that come with teen detective stories. Williams’s character designs are wonderfully expressive and consistently drawn. It’s easy to picture the series as an animated show, and it works so well as a comic that it’s not hard to see why the series has recently gone from a limited series to an ongoing one. Sarah Stern brings vibrance to the series with a palette of bright colors. The art gives the series a fun retro aesthetic with none of the terribly oppressive social politics.
With a fantastic creative team and a smart, diverse group of characters, Goldie Vance is a comic appropriate for all ages and one that, luckily for readers, will be around for a while.
Story: Hope Larson Art: Brittney Williams
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy
BOOM! Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Goldie Vance #3
Publisher: BOOM! Box, an imprint of BOOM! Studios
Writer: Hope Larson
Artist: Brittney Williams
Cover Artists:
Main Cover: Brittney Williams
Incentive Cover: Dan Parent, M. Victoria Robado
Price: $3.99
In her continuing quest to solve the mystery of the missing necklace, Goldie gets her and her father in trouble with the hotel, is involved in a high-speed car chase, and becomes a fugitive from the cops!
It’s a new week and a long weekend coming up for us, but before we can get to that, we’ve got a brand new episode of Graphic Policy Radio tonight. Definitely listen in to that!
Until then, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.
Around the Tubes
CBLDF – Utah Responds to Brewvies Deadpool Lawsuit – This should get interesting.
Around the Tubes Reviews
Comic Vine – DC Universe: Rebirth #1
Newsarama – DC Universe: Rebirth #1
CBR – Dept. H #2
CBR – Goldie Vance #2
CG Mag Online – Preacher Vol. 1
Nothing But Comics – Solo #5
CBR – Spider-Man #4
CBR – Superman: American Alien #7
Talking Comics – Tank Girl: Two Girls One Tank #1
Nothing But Comics – Twilight Children
Teen detective Goldie Vance returns in Goldie Vance #2, and she’s up to her knees in mystery. With the disappearance of Mr. Ludwig at the end of issue #1, Goldie embarked on what might be her biggest mystery yet. The energy of the series doesn’t lag in the second issue, thanks to writer Hope Larson’s lighter tone and Brittney Williams’s expressive art.
In the first issue, readers met Goldie, an adventurous sixteen-year-old girl who loves cars and mysteries. She uses her smarts and knowledge of her father’s hotel to assist guests and the hotel detective (whether he likes it or not). Goldie’s passion for helping people is explored even more in #2, when she faces a bigger mystery than initially thought and few clues to go by.
While the crime-solving aspect of the series is both fun and intriguing, what really makes it shine is the inclusion of outside characters. Goldie’s friends and family are a unique group of people who enrich her story rather than functioning solely as background characters. It’s a perfect series for younger readers, as they will likely be able to relate to at least one of the characters. The series also provides a great representation of characters of color as well as separated parents. Goldie Vance #2 introduces Goldie’s mom, as well as the much-discussed Sugar Maple. Despite the influx of information, the story’s pacing is even without overloading the reader.
The art is consistently wonderful, with a bold style that fits the characters’ bold personalities. Goldie is drawn with particular attention to her expressions, and her opinions on a situation are immediately clear by her face. She’s an energetic and relatable character, and Williams’s art ensures that. Sarah Stern’s coloring is also a vital aspect of the art, with bright palettes that add to the energy of the series. They perfectly convey the tone and mood of the story. Together, Williams and Stern create an adorable retro aesthetic.
Overall, the second issue is just as solid as the first. With any luck, the series will be extended, because Goldie is a character you’ll want to read about for a long time.
Story: Hope Larson Art: Brittney Williams
Story: 9.5 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Read
BOOM! Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review.
Goldie Vance #2 (of 4)
Imprint: BOOM! Box
Writer: Hope Larson
Artists: Brittney Williams
A Russian candy wrapper and a two-dollar bill send Goldie on a search for a missing guest.
It’s new comic book day tomorrow! What are folks excited for? We’ll have our picks in a bit, but until then here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.
Around the Tubes
Journalism.co.uk – Safe House: The making of a graphic novel about Tanzania’s child brides – Really interesting and definitely want to check this out!
TechCrunch – Supreme Court affirms Google Books scans of copyrighted works are fair use – Should be interesting to see where things go from here.
GamePolitics – Good night and good luck – Sad to see the site go.
Around the Tubes Reviews
CBR – A-Force #4
The Beat – Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor #1
CBR – Heartthrob #1
Newsarma – Best Shots Reviews: Amazing Spider-Man #10, Goldie Vance #1, Constantine #11, More
Goldie Vance, BOOM! Box’s new series from writer Hope Larson (A Wrinkle in Time) and Brittney Williams (Patsy Walker, AKA Hellcat!), is a story every mystery lover will wish they had as a kid. The pilot issue is fun, bright, charming, and perfect for mystery aficionados of all ages.
In the first issue, we meet Goldie Vance, a 16-year-old detective with a nose for trouble and the sleuthing instincts of Miss Marple. Goldie works at her father’s resort in Florida as a valet, and has a wide knowledge of and interest in cars. She’s an endearing main character who combines the best characteristics of Eloise (of Plaza fame) and Nancy Drew. By the end of the issue, readers already know who Goldie is as a character–she’s outgoing and bubbly, but sticks to a distinct set of morals and values. Her sense of justice is one of her guiding characteristics and pushes her to solve mysteries for guests at the hotel.
Goldie Vance #1 sets up the character and background and establishes Goldie’s skill as an amateur detective. Because she has grown up in the hotel, Goldie has a vast knowledge of the ins and outs of the resort and a familiarity with the staff, which helps her achieve sleuthing success. While Goldie Vance #1 also introduces a larger plot, the story doesn’t feel crowded. Despite its 24-page length, it makes room for side characters, developing their personalities quickly without rushing it. The side characters are just as important to the story as Goldie is, keeping her from getting into too much trouble and providing entertaining banter. Each character is distinct, and their importance to Goldie is established immediately.
Williams’s art is perfect for the story, keeping the story interesting, visually. Her bold lines and Sarah Stern’s bright colors make Goldie Vance fun to look at, and Goldie’s expressions are instantly relatable. The comic has a charmingly retro feel to it, and a style that would translate well to animation, especially with Goldie’s enthusiasm and constant motion.
Goldie Vance is slated for a four-issue miniseries, though with such a strong and well-developed main character, it would be nice to see Goldie picked up for an ongoing series.
Story: Hope Larson Art: Brittney Williams
Story: 9.5 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Read
BOOM! Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review.
Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!
We’re bringing back something we haven’t done for a while, what the team thinks. Our contributors are choosing up to five books each week and why they’re choosing the books.
Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.
Elana
Top Pick: No Mercy #9 (Image Comics) – This is the most powerful issue of a comic you will read this month. It actually can stand alone if you haven’t read the series, because it’s that good and complete.
This month’s issue features the only trans male character in a mainstream comic. The ONLY one. I’m not surprised that a series which has dedicated itself to portraying an honest, diverse and realistic range of teens is the book that finally has a character like this. The story offers insight into a great injustice happening to all sorts of young people who society labels as “deviant”.
No Mercy is an unflinching series with high stakes, zero predictability and an extremely high level of moral responsibility. It lives up to it and we are stronger for reading it.
Goldie Vance #1 (BOOM! Box/BOOM! Studios) – A Girl Detective! A fun resort setting! Charming and accessible art! Could this be the diverse and actually creative Nancy Drew we never had before? Probably.
Alex
Top Pick: Moon Knight #1 (Marvel) – I am one of the few (read only) Moon Knight fans at my comic shop, and I knew I’d be picking this comic up anyway, but with Jeff Lemire and Jordie Bellaire involved Marvel may as well just take my money. I’ve been chomping at the bit for this comic ever since I saw who the creative team involved was.
A&A: The Adventures Of Archer And Armstrong #2 (Valiant) – Last issue took me entirely by surprise, and I absolutely loved it. I’m incredibly pumped for the second issue this week.
Voracious #3 (Action Lab Entertainment) – I can’t get enough of this series. I honestly can’t. It’s an amazingly fun comic about the owner of a diner who is also a time travelling dinosaur hunter (where else do you think he that you have to read.
Wrath Of The Eternal Warrior #6 (Valiant) – After the brilliance of last issue, this issue has a lot to live up too (spoiler: it does). I can’t wait to get my hands on the print copy.
Javier
Top Pick: The Last Contract #4 (BOOM! Studios) – This is the last issue. The Geriatric Hitman with No Name closes the gap on his violent past. Bittersweet moment, I was hoping it would continue as a series, or at least for 12 issues. Maybe we’ll get lucky and Clint Eastwood picks this up for film.
Black Road #1 (Image Comics) – I’ve been on a Viking kick these past few weeks with the History Channel’s show, and I have Wood’s collected Northlander series in TPB, so the more Vikings the better.
Carver Paris Story #3 (Z2 Comics) – Old school pulp noir in a Paris setting. It’s a brutally simple and effective book.
Delete #2 (Devil’s Due) – This is cool sci-fi action story with Armenian gangsters. Philip K. Dick meets Lone Wolf and Cub when a simple muscular Handyman teams up with an orphaned girl against killers.
Starve #8 (Image Comics) – Another Brian Wood book. It’s underrated, but I think word is getting out on this series. Food and comics, why didn’t I think of this first. It really is good reading.
Brett
Top Pick: Green Lantern Corps: Edge of Oblivion #4 (DC Comics) – A great allegory about the Syrian refugee crisis and ISIS. A great example of how comics can be so much more than spandex and powers, even when they feature spandex and powers.
Monstress #5 (Image Comics) – As always a fantastic series that blends fantasy and politics. This is world building at its best, and I can’t wait to see where it all goes. Add on top of that beautiful art and you’ve got one of the best comics on the market.
Moon Knight #1 (Marvel) – Fascinated to see what they do with this series.
Nameless City Vol. 1 (First Second) – An adorable graphic novel, the first in a series. It’s a great read geared towards younger kids I think, but also very enjoyable for adults too. The series is about a city controlled by an army and the a new soldier becoming friends with one of the town people.
Star Wars Special: C-3PO (Marvel) – I want to know how he got that red arm!!!!
Goldie Vance #1 (of 4)
Imprint: BOOM! Box
Writer: Hope Larson
Artist: Brittney Williams
In a timeless story, 16-year-old Marigold “Goldie” Vance lives at a Florida resort with her dad, who manages the place. Her mom, who divorced her dad years ago, works as a live mermaid at a club downtown. Goldie has an insatiable curiosity, which explains her dream to one day become the hotel’s in-house detective. When Walter, the current detective, encounters a case he can’t crack, he agrees to mentor Goldie in exchange for her help solving the mystery utilizing her smarts, random skills, and connections with the hotel staff and various folks in town.
