Jem & the Holograms #1by Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 8 The Holograms are preparing to enter a contest hosted by the Misfits, but Jerrica can't bring herself to perform in front of others. A chance storm brings Synergy online, and an idea for a double life pops into Jerrica's mind.The first issue is a nice introduction, but it's also very short. The beginning of the issue shares all twelve variant covers, each with their own full page, which takes up quite a bit of a comic book. The good news is that the main cover (A) is the best as far as matching the feel of the story and the art inside. The story starts with The Holograms performing, trying to record their entry, and Jerrica is frozen, eyes closed, at the mic. I love that the music is shown through swirling pink and blue colors; it's a wonderful and creative way to let us "see" and "feel" the music. Aja instantly captures my attention with her wonderfully muscular and curvy physique and her blue hair. Kimber is tall and thin, with legs that look like they were made for those stilettos. Interestingly, Shana is drawn throughout the comic as being partially obscured by Aja and / or Kimber (usually both) standing in front of her. We don't get a good look at her till several pages in (when she breaks up an argument between the two of them). She's an hourglass that's fuller on the bottom, and I love her purple afro mohawk. Jerrica is petite in every way (or at least she looks that way -- Shana is actually the shortest according to their bios), which fits with her mousy demeanor, and is a stark contrast to the tall, almost-Amazonian Jem. I love that this comic is exploring different body types for these women. The end of this issue gives a full-page bio with image of each of the Holograms, with Jem rather than Jerrica, and points out that Jem is six inches taller than Jerrica. I like these bio pages; they provide a little bit more information on each of them that rounds them out but may be things not relevant to the story (like Kimber's thoughts about fish and their gills). I love that we get a full body apparition of Synergy and that she looks rather futuristic with a touch of 80s inspiration. I also love the various "tricks" Synergy demonstrates, and how that inspires Jerrica. I must admit to being disappointed on some level with Jerrica. Where is the take-charge attitude? I'm glad that finding Synergy emboldens her, but it seems like her issues are more than a mere mask or costume (essentially what Jem is) would solve her problem. I remember Kimber being a bit of a brat in the original cartoon, and, while I wouldn't use that term here (yet), she is throwing an ultimatum at Jerrica. I can understand her frustration at an issue that's happened before, but she's not trying to find a way to actually help Jerrica; she's just threatening to leave. How helpful. At least their conversation gives me a good feel for both of them, even if I don't like how either are portrayed right off the bat. So, some aspects of the storyline are done to almost shoehorn things in the right direction, which is to be expected. It is doing a good job of making things feel modernized and the characters fleshed out, and it's giving the story a sense of direction by setting the stage (no pun intended) in the first issue). The art is wonderful. I love the character designs, but the actual art is impressive. The style fits the rockin' looks, and the faces are clean, simple, and very expressive. It's pretty and youthful. The fashion is great, and I like that it's looks they live in rather than just perform in. The coloring is fantastic. In short, I would love to read more comics with art like this. For now, I will make sure to grab issue #2. Written: May 20, 2015
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