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

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.