From the moment the series was announced, Mother Panic has been on my most anticipated list for comics this year. With the Burnside Era of Batgirl and Black Canary coming to a close, there didn’t seem to be a lot coming up to take its place. With Mother Panic’s story about a celebutante turned vigilante, it seemed like it might just do that.

I’m happy to report that not only does Mother Panic fit in with Burnside’s punk rock vibes, but might add a bit of DC’s Young Animal curator Gerard Way’s The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys as well in terms of heart.

Mother Panic #1 introduces us to Violet Paige, a young member of Gotham’s elite who returns after some time away. It’s a familiar story to anyone who has read a Batfam origin story like Bruce’s or Kate’s. However, Violet has a decidedly different approach to her return to Gotham. She’s not looking to be a protector or to save Gotham. She’s looking to burn it down. Might be why she calls herself “a work in progress.” Not really a hero, but not certain if she’s a villain yet either.

For those familiar with Jody Houser’s writing through Faith might initially be surprised at the stark contrast in tone. Mother Panic is like a kick to the teeth in a dark alley. It hits fast, hurts and is bloody before you really get all of what’s going on. However, there are moments of humanity that ground you and make you understand just where Violet is coming from a little bit more. Particularly in the flashbacks involving her father and the moments she shares with her mother both as a child and an adult. As conflicted as Violet is about her position in Gotham’s grand scheme, it is these moments that provide absolute clarity about the kind of person she is and could become.

Tommy Lee Edwards’ art, in particular, is perfectly fitting for this kind of mode. Dark and sketchy, with just the right touch of surrealism to keep your head spinning. The fact that the villains of this story are violent artists in unreal spaces is what really makes this story work in the Young Animal line. Not to mention that design for Violet’s vigilante costume. It keeps the lines and shapes we’re familiar with when it comes to the Bats, but it also feels a bit more armored and heavy. Like something that could really mess you up. Plus, the nice contrast of her in all white and not knowing what kind of masked crusader she is yet matched against Batman’s all black everything is the kind of duality in comics I live for. With the mutual hatred of Batman, can I get a meeting with Violet and Olive Silverlock at some point?

As a fan of Gotham stories and Young Animal, Mother Panic hits all the right notes. It’s an intense and punk as hell story about a young woman still figuring herself involving vigilantism and art. If you enjoyed the Batgirl of Burnside or Brenden Fletcher and Annie Wu’s Black Canary, you’ll probably find a familiarity in Mother Panic that will excite you. If you enjoyed The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, the similar lush tone and surrealism will jump out at you faster than Violet herself. Either way, Mother Panic makes Young Animal four for four so far and brings a new twist to the familiar Gotham story.

Story: Jody Houser Art: Tommy Lee Edwards
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review.