What if the world’s pop stars and celebrities were literally products, grown by the world’s wealthiest (and most depraved) minds—and one of them escaped?

Written by Curt Pires with art by Jason Copland, POP #1 is the beginning of what looks like an interesting satirical take on pop culture and it’s impact on society. Though much of the issue is just set up, what’s shown, and “said” focuses on how celebrities and products now drive our life, almost giving us meaning for existence. We get the basics, that celebrities are grown and controlled by someone group, and that one of them has escaped.

The main story focuses on Coop and Elle (Elle’s the escaped individual). The take by the series is very apparent with Coop literally being saved, and finding purpose in Elle. His life is turned around due to “celebrity” and a “product.” That seems to be the general take of the series, at leas that’s what I took away from the first issue.

There’s also some jabs at current celebrities, including a knock-off Justin Bieber who’s injured in a satisfying way. The satire isn’t subtle at all, and we’ve seen similar ideas in other stories, but so far the issue is entertaining enough and I’m interested in seeing what the greater take away is.

Copland provides solid art that reminds me of British comics from the 80s. That might be due to some of the use of color, but overall, there’s a familiar style to it all that matches the subject matter. POP, has a look of pop about it.

POP bills itself as a “white-knuckled thrill ride through the marketing-mastered, technologically tethered tragicomedy we call life.” To really succeed the series really needs to have something interesting (and preferably new) to say about the top it’s taking on, pop stars and celebrity. The first issue is definitely a solid start, but this ride in the end will hopefully have something to say about our culture, instead of just being shallow like what it attempts to satirize.

Story: Curt Pires Art: Jason Copland
Story: 7.25 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.25 Recommendation: Read

Dark Horse provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review