Battle Royale with older women, that’s the general concept of Golden Rage. What we know is that “older” women in menopause are sent to an island. There, they’ve formed various tribes and groups. But, the Red Hats have grown in power and now are after one of the newest arrivals, a women in her 30s who is there due to early menopause. Golden Rage #2 introduces more to the island and its inhabitants and delivers one of the more intriguing voice overs of the year.

With words by Chrissy Williams, the series has been fantastic so far. The second issue has our group of women on a mission to see The Witch who might know what to do with the new arrival. But, they fear an attack by the Red Hats who we’re told have changed the dynamic on the island and sound a bit more aggressive than what has been in the past.

What’s interesting is Williams’ choice in narrator. Lottie takes over delivering some much needed hilarity in a rather grim issue. She rambles about chickens and cats and in one brilliant panel her thoughts take over literally blocking out what someone is saying. It’s a small detail that elevates the issue. But also, Lottie brings a lot of sadness. We learn about Mary, who was Lottie’s wife and they assume died from cancer. Through that we learn about death on the island and the connections the women are making with each other. This isn’t just about survival, it’s about community, friendship, and love. Lottie shows that off and then some.

The art by Lauren Knight is solid. With color by Sofie Dodgson, flats by Shayne Hannah, and lettering by Becca Carey, the world feels lived in. But, more importantly, it feels kept up. Though they may be abandoned on an island, the women have built a home and it feels like one. We also get to see more of the world and island as they make their journey taking us to rather interesting locations and introducing us to new groups. Again, the details really make this all feel like a fleshed out world. Carey’s lettering deserves the call out, especially Lottie’s thoughts and the one particular panel.

Golden Rage #2 is another fantastic issue that has its roots in similar stories before but takes the concept in a whole different direction with its details. It’s one that I had high hopes for when I heard the concept and in two issues, it’s exceeded expectations.

Story: Chrissy Williams Art: Lauren Knight
Color: Sofie Dodgson Flats: Shayne Hannah Cui Letterer: Becca Carey
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.4 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle

Being dropped on a mysterious island where you must battle it out is a plot that has been around for a long time. It feels like it has had a recent resurgence in film, television, video games, and comics. Golden Rage #1 kicks off a new take on that classic idea with a twist. All of the individuals on the island are women. Specifically older women.

Written by Chrissy Williams the comic for the most part takes a familiar beat and path. The opening drops readers right into the middle of battle with unknown characters and one at the center of things who doesn’t know what’s going on. An ally is found and from there we’re taken to a base where talks of “Red Hats” goes around and debate rages about our mystery protagonist.

We don’t know a ton of what’s going on but can figure out this is an island where women battle it out for survival. The women are generally older in age except our new arrival, Jay, who is in her 30s. We find out she has early menopause which shifts our understanding as to who is shipped to the island.

It also changes the narrative in many ways. It focuses on “usefulness” of women as to their ability to have children. That says a lot about the world on the outside and hints at what might be going on. It shifts our reading as useful going from age and ability to function to something else entirely.

The art by Lauren Knight is great. With color by Sofie Dodgson, flats by Shayne Hannah Cui, and lettering by Becca Carey, the comic is full of personality. Each character’s design tells us so much about who they are and what “role” they have in the group. There’s also a lot of detail to the art that tells us about the world. We get to see how these women survive and what their lives are like. It also tells us what they use in their day to day giving us detail of a world lived in.

Golden Rage #1 is a familiar but solid start. The concept might be something we’ve seen, but the detail of the debut feels like a real world and gives us much more than just the battle and survival. This is a group that has been around for some time and there’s history here. Like Jay, we’re welcomed into it and it should be a wild ride.

Story: Chrissy Williams Art: Lauren Knight
Ink: Lauren Knight Color: Sofie Dodgson
Flats: Shayne Hannah Cui Letterer/Design: Becca Carey
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle