The choice to reboot Jem and the Holograms into comics is probably one which left some fans of the medium scratching their heads.  Jem had a decent run on animated television in the 1980s, but her fan base had long since dissipated and there were few that asked for the return of her and her bandmates.  The first issue of the new series from IDW proved something else though, that while there might have been little reason to demand a return for Jem, there maybe should have been.  With the crush of girl-centric books on the market, it made sense to go back to the female rocker from the 1980s that proved that it is possible to be strong and feminine at the same time.

Some might have been a bit disappointed with the first issue in a different context though, specifically that Jem was mostly absent, instead dealing with the introduction of the character through her alter ego Jerrica.  For those that decided to stick around to check out the followup issue, they would find that as opposed to dealing on the past that the band is heading straight to the future.  This is primarily done with the introduction of the anti-Holograms, the Misfits.  The popular group is looking for an easy band to beat in an upcoming battle of the bands contest, and while they are hoping to choose their foe for an easy defeat (as it is their own contest) pressure is building through social media to force the two bands head to head in the contest.  There are a few other factors at play here, specifically the introduction of what might be a romatic interest for Jem, but mostly the story sticks to the battle of the bands and throws in a few curves.

This issue does a good job and bascially doing what it must.  It is still growing into its space a little bit, as the sometimes disjointed conversation alludes to, but most of all this is an overall treat which doesn’t let up.  The art is a treat and while the battle of the bands story might seem a bit obvious, so too do the Holograms need some kind of antagonist in their journey to pop stardom.  They have found it in the Misfits, and the series is better off for it, as it seems to be progressing and developing in a natural manner.

Story: Kelly Thompson  Art: Sophie Campbell
Story: 8.6  Art: 8.6 Overall: 8.6 Recommendation: Buy