A comiXologist Recommends
By Kate Leth, Brittney L. Williams, and Megan Wilson
AKA HELL YES
Sometimes the thing that makes a superhero interesting is what sets them apart from the mundane – their extraordinary abilities and the grand, spectacular scenarios that play out around them. But sometimes all that super-ness can seem a little remote, and after a while I start to find myself more interested in the minutia of superhero lives. Like, how do they pay the bills? I mean, not every superhero is a Tony Stark or a Bruce Wayne.
Some superheroes are more of a Patsy Walker. She also wonders how people with super powers are supposed to pay the bills, because this is a particular problem for Patsy and her friends. And this is a problem Patsy is determined to solve, using to their advantage the very thing that makes it a challenge.
We may not have the ability to sense mystical energy, or possess the power of telekinesis, or learned to kick butt on the moon. But we can all relate to needing to figure out life, and how to manage our own unique potential that maybe sometimes feels like a burden. Patsy Walker is here to tell you that life is hard but you are important and you can do it.
In many ways, this is a Patsy that fans of Jessica Jones (on Netflix) will recognize. She is your best friend and your conscience and do NOT mess with her if you know what’s good for you. But this Patsy lives in a world that is decidedly less grim than the show. The colors in this book are downright cheerful, the panels are packed with charming details, and the dialogue is upbeat. (All the high fives for that line about the fridge, Kate!)
I predict that Hellcat will join the ranks of Squirrel Girl and Ms. Marvel, proving that fun, bright comics about young women have an eager audience. And if you were wondering if you should join that audience, the answer is HELL YES.
Tia Vasiliou is a Digital Editor at ComiXology. She hopes to one day learn butt-kicking on the moon.