The description of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' meets 'KPop Demon Hunters' is seriously apt in the case of 'Pretty Evil' by Rebekah McKendry and David Ian McKendry. Even though I am dubious about a lot of fiction with "strong female characters" being compared to 'KPDH' these days. Go with whatever is popular, mainstream and profitable right now, however loose and reaching the connection is, right?
Regardless, 'Pretty Evil' is a fun, action-packed comic, if a little confusing, rushed and underdeveloped at the beginning. None of the characters really act like how human beings would, in whatever given situation. It is messy, in-story and out. But I got more into the sugar rush of the comic, the further I read. Tim Seeley's nice, colourful and dynamic art, and the relevant politics and political references, elevate it for me. Not to mention the commentary on online and media misogyny, and misogynistic harassment, abuse and discourse, towards women and girls who dare to exist in the spotlight.
Ongoing, relentless hate campaigns will always be the real monsters from hell to slay.
To combat them: Just be yourself.
Be true to yourself. Be outspoken, be happy, all women and girls.
This is especially important to remember when humans are made into commodities by the capitalist-and-corporate-controlled mass media.
'[...] a teen pop star [Mallori] who must take up her missing mother’s demon-slaying mantle and battle her way through the monster-infested world of social media influencers.' (the blurb)
Also very apt.
Supernatural, horrific, sensational, kickass, feminized and feminist AF girl love and power - that includes killer clowns - that is 'Pretty Evil'.
It's not exactly original, but that's fine, because, again, it's fun, and socially conscious and relevant.
I consider it a 2026 feminist Halloween double read with 'Dead Girls'.
That's all I want to say about it.
Happy Halloween!
Final Score: 3.5/5
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