A comiXologist Recommends:
Jen Keith recommends
Jem & The Holograms #1
Get your hairspray and eyeshadow ready because a true gem of a comic is hitting the stands today. If one were to describe it, one might say it’s excitement. It’s adventure. It’s glamour and glitter, fashion and fame. It’s the new Jem and the Holograms comic, and yes, it’s truly outrageous.
Out of the ‘80s and into today, the fierce ladies of Jem and the Holograms are here with a fresh start that’ll get prior fans bobbing their heads and new fans tapping their toes. Meet Jerrica, Aja, Shana, and Kimber: four young women with dreams bigger than their rockin’ hairdos and the talent to make them a reality…if only they can put a case of debilitating lack of self-confidence and sisterly squabbling aside.
The amalgamation of the '80s cartoon and much desired character design diversity is deftly handled by writer Kelly Thompson (1979semifinalist) and artist Sophie Campbell (mooncalfe). That attention to varying body types and unique, recognizable character designs is perhaps the most striking aspect when first picking up this issue. As wonderfully unique as each character is, I found something relatable in all of them, and the bios at the end were an added bonus to quickly endear me to each girl. Colorist M. Victoria Robado ties this whole collaboration together; move over, Barbie, because pink has never looked so good. I’m not sure we could have asked for a better creative team to do justice on this series.
If you already can’t get the sweet sounds of keytar out of your head, you might want to check out another lady-led band series like Josie and the Pussycats. I was also reminded of She-Hulk who, like Jerrica, found comfort and strength in letting her appearance reflect her inner-fierceness and light.
Tune in for Jem and the Holograms because it’s sure to be outrageous. Truly, truly, truly, outrageous.
[Read Jem & The Holograms #1 on comiXology]
Jen Keith is a Digital Editor at comiXology, comic artist, music addict, and was once delighted to find that her name was mispelled as “Jem” on a Starbucks cup.