Tag Archives: jerrica

Review: Jem and the Holograms #6

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jem006Jem and the Holograms has been one of the nicer surprises in comics in the past year.  As an update of the 1980s animated television series, there was some expectation that it would meet certain standards in terms of entertainment, but there was not really much of a sense as to how the television would merge with the comics to create something sustainable.  While Kelly Thompson is somewhat of a newcomer to the medium of comics as a writer, she proved that a basic approach could and does work with these characters, by focusing on the characters before the outlandish plots, she proved that the series can work with a different outlook in a different medium.  The artwork by Sophie Campbell captured the same overall approach as the characters despite being over-the-top in appearance are full of a contagious energy.

The previous issue featured fall out from the sabotaged stage equipment and resulted in a huge food fight.  With the instigators of the food fight brought before the concert organizers, Jerrica and her colleagues soon find themselves on the wrong side of the blame and are promptly kicked out of the concert.  Jerrica also has to deal with the ongoing concern of Rio as to the absence of Jem at crucial times, feeling that she has forsaken the band at a crucial moment when they needed her help, and this continues to be a fresh take on the usual superhero secret identity cliche in the medium.

There might be those that think that the approach for the new series is somewhat simplistic.  After all after the first six issues, there has not been a lot of development in terms of plot as the character’s have played out the battle of the bands story.  It is true that the story could be considered a bit bare, but stories have to succeed on either their characters or their concept, and while the concept is played out slowly here, the characters are so full of life, thanks to both the art and the script, that it more than compensates for the slow-ish development of the plot.

Story: Kelly Thompson  Art: Sophie Campbell
Story: 8.4 Art: 8.4  Overall: 8.4 Recommendation: Buy

IDW provided Graphic Policy with a free copy for review

 

Review: Jem and the Holograms #5

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Jem and the Holograms 005Jem and the Holograms has thus far been one of the unexpected surprises of recent comic releases.  It focuses on concepts closely related enough to the romance genre of comics, but also incorporates a plot element with Jem/Jerrica which is close enough in spirit to that of the more traditional superhero comics.  Although the plots available to the tales of an all-girl band might seem to be somewhat restrictive, the creative team has been effective at creating a series which is engaging and fresh, and has proven that there is a demand for such titles on the comic market.

The story here follows on that of the previous issue.  With the battle of the bands still looming, the competition is heating up between the two competitors, to the point that sabotage was in the works for Jem.  Obviously the series can’t do without its leading character, but surprisingly the repercussions of this attempt to take Jem out of the competition are not as evident as they might be expected to be.  Instead once again the issue focuses on the developing relationship between Kimber and Stormer and between Jem and Rio before things get back to being pretty serious.

Some might see it as a huge challenge to create fictional material which is designed to be approachable to all ages.  Part of the problem is that the stories have to be relevant enough for the adult market but also fun enough for a younger audience.  Such is the challenge facing Jem and the Holograms, and while at times it veers off into a territory which is perhaps a bit too sedate, it gets back those moments by throwing in the unexpected.  Such is the case here, as the suggested food fight from the cover gets underway towards the end of the issue, although the issue itself was a bit slower paced than previous issues.  Nonetheless the series maintains the same level of approachable fun which has let it makes its mark thus far, and presumably which will keep it going for a long time to come.

Story: Kelly Thompson  Art: Sophie Campbell
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5  Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

IDW provided Graphic Policy with a free copy for review

Review: Jem and the Holograms #4

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jem004It can be tricky when updating a previous franchise or fictional property.  On the one hand, one expects the creative team to stay close to the original material, on the other hand, significant changes are bound to occur as society progresses and leaves outdated ideas behind.  In the case of Jem and the Holograms it would seem that many of the changes have been for the better in terms of the characters.  What were 1980s big hair and big shouldered music superheroines were transformed into modern characters that would fit in with the big names in music at the moment.  Part of the approach for this series is that it leaves the characters in the hands of two women, something which is a relative rarity for comics which still tend to be dominated by male creators, and notably when it comes to female characters.  Although there is nothing to say that a man cannot write a deep female character, it is also interesting to see a couple of female creators get their hands on an all-girl squad.

The story in this series continues to be that of the initial story arc.  Having discovered her Jem alter ego, Jerrica is still busy trying to get the band ready for the Battle of the Bands.  Meanwhile Kimber and Stormer are getting a bit more wrapped up with each other romantically, and the romance between Jerrica and Rio seems to be heating up as well, except for the unexpected arrival of Jem in Jerrica’s changing room just after she was seen there.  As before the series is extremely effective in portraying the music scenes as well, with the music styles of both bands being easy to relate to through their presentation.

This series is a success, at least from the sense of being fun and approachable.  At the same time, there are a few problems notable for first time writer Kelly Thompson.  While she is talented she does occasionally rely on cliches or what seems like filler to get more out of each issue.  If there is one drawback to this series, this is it, that she hasn’t yet fully moved into a comfort zone and is not yet ready to let loose.  That will come with time, and for now it seems as though Kelly and Sophie are the two best fits for this series that the comic world could conceive of as this series is all about the girls, and rightfully so.

Story: Kelly Thompson  Art: Sophie Campbell
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5  Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

IDW provided Graphic Policy with a free copy for review

Review: Jem and the Holograms #3

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Jem and the Holograms 001In terms of what this series offers it kind of stands alone.  Most comics tend to take on one of several fairly common forms.  Prominent among them is the superhero genre, but there are also comics from the independents which explore more bizarre themes, often with the intention of a bit of social commentary.  Another group of comics could be easily be categorized as those which are all about fun, whether that be Scooby Doo, My Little Pony or Adventure Time.  These titles seem to be geared primarily towards a younger audience (though they do have their adult fans) but Jem and the Holograms might stand out as something a little different still.  Its main focus is fairly whimsical and fun, but its audience is not intended to necessarily be only a younger crowd, as this aims to appeal to the heartstrings of those that watched the series in the 1980s, who would now be much older.

This third issue mostly takes a break from the ongoing story line of the Holograms versus the Misfits and focuses instead on romance.  Kimber and Stormer’s date was abruptly interrupted as Pizzazz forbids mingling with the enemy, as the Holograms are evidently the ban which they will have to beat.  Elsewhere Jerrica agrees to the date with Rio.  As the story progresses this romance ends up being the main focus as the battle of the bands heats up behind the scenes.  There is also an unexpected cameo from another IDW property which is a tongue-in-cheek nod to the show and the characters.

In terms of providing gripping stories, this series is evidently not the place to go.  The stories are lighthearted, some might even say fluffy, but below it all they are fun to read.  That this remains true across generations is proof that the creative team behind this series is accomplishing more than they are credited by appealing to a wide age group and still managing to keep them all happy.  In that this series is a success, as comics don’t always have to be sensational of hard-hitting, but sometimes can exist just to lighten the day.

Story: Kelly Thompson  Art: Sophie Campbell
Story: 8.4  Art: 8.4 Overall: 8.4 Recommendation: Buy

Review: Jem and the Holograms #2

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jem002The 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