Graphic Novel Review - 'Harley Quinn: The Animated Series, Vol. 1: The Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour' by Tee Franklin (Writer), Max Sarin (Artist), Erich Owen (Artist), Marissa Louise (Colourist), Taylor Esposito (Letterer)

Confession time:

Even though I am a huge Harley Quinn fan, I don't think much of her critically acclaimed animated series. I like the first season okay, but I really, really dislike the second season, for many reasons, and so I had no interest in pursuing anything else to do with it. I wasn't going to bother with 'Harley Quinn: The Animated Series, Vol. 1: The Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour' at all at first.

But, seeing as I am still a fan of Harley, and Harley and Poison Ivy together, happy and free to be queer, and as I hate how the main DC comics canon is currently treating the pair (just let them be together and happy already! Damn the ridiculous complications, and superhero comics in general hating couples for some asinine reason), plus the huge universal praise this comic was getting, I finally thought, "why not", and decided to give it a chance (that it was compared to 'Thelma & Louise', one of my favourite movies, may or may not have had a contribution, too). I was also able to buy it cheap at a bookshop's online store using a gift voucher I got for Christmas.

And yes, it was, thankfully, a euphoric, no-regrets decision on my part. For 'Harley Quinn: The Animated Series, Vol. 1: The Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour' is fun, hilarious, wacky, colourful, introspective, even psychological, and super queer and female friendly. The art is wonderful, expressive and cute; not really like the animated series, but that doesn't matter. To me, it is exactly what Paul Dini's immensely problematic 'Batman: Harley and Ivy' comic should have been; come nearly twenty years later.

Taking place right after the end of the animated series' second season, Harley and Ivy are on a highspeed road trip, on the run from the law - which is more "crazy" and "broken" than these ladies are, when they are relentlessly pursued by the unhinged, murderous Commissioner Gordon. All they want is to be free, and go on a passion-filled honeymoon tour, as it were. They seek and acquire (reluctant) help from Catwoman, Livewire, Vixen (I've never been more interested in her character than here, she is awesome), Zatanna, and even Nightwing and Batgirl briefly. Other allies in Harlivy's entourage include a few civilians who are rooting for them, and a stripper called Peaches. Other cameos: Hush (yes, that Hush), Cyborg, Dr. Harleen Quinzel (mind psychologist extraordinaire), and Frank, Ivy's sentient plant. There's something going on with a new toxic waste and gas monster villain, Mephitic, who is also after Harley and Ivy...

Speaking of, they are not the only w/w couple in the comic. Far from it. There is Vixen/Mari and her girlfriend Elle, who as well as providing POC rep and body positivity rep, is there for much needed disability rep. Livewire and Nightfall were dating, but there is every indication they will get back together. And there's that old couple in the second issue, who Harley and Ivy nearly run over, and who Harley sees as her and Ivy's relationship goals. I tell you, 'The Eat. Bang! Kill Tour' is unapologetically queer, and the POC rep is vast and excellent, making up for Harlivy's white-women-troubles-with-the-law plot (Ivy has green skin due to her powers, nonetheless she is strictly of Caucasian heritage and descent; not to mention her white privilege isn't affected in any way). All this should be unsurprising seeing as Tee Franklin is the writer.

Harley Quinn/Harleen Quinzel and Poison Ivy/Pamela Isley are so cute together in this. They are loving, passionate, and they give each other pet names. They try to do better, be better, for each other; to be more considerate and understanding of each girlfriend's/runaway bride's/bridesmaid's/mistress's feelings, circumstances and needs. To learn to be patient, open and honest with each other.

I like that 'The Eat, Bang! Kill Tour' addresses some things that the second season of the TV show never did. Most notably in exploring Ivy's feelings, thought processes, and development. Finally, a mention that she fricking died in season one! It is one of the things she is beginning to process, in going through PTSD. An acknowledgement - a callout - that she treated Harley horribly in the second season, when the thoughtful, selfless and loving Harley absolutely did not deserve it, was a cathartic bonus, and elevated the comic considerably in my eyes. Ivy fears continuously hurting those she loves, and becoming like her abusive father. She has issues with opening up, admission, and trust - not with others, but with herself and her heart.

I still have no idea what Ivy ever saw in Kite Man - and I never bought that she ever truly loved him - and this is especially a detriment to the show's love triangle, as worthy of any kind of credit a love triangle can earn, at any rate. I would choose Harley fricking Quinn over Kite Man any day and I'm straight! Oh well. At least the two best antiheroines in all of DC are officially shipped together in the end, regardless of how it got there.

On the topic of what I like in the comic better than the show, 'The Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour' uses the F-word sparingly, unlike season two which would drop the F-bomb every five seconds to the point of eye-rolling egregiousness, for the sake of showing it is definitely an adult cartoon. Any "adult" violence shown in the comic is even scarcer, and not too extreme in the one or two times it could have easily been gratuitous. I really like the way it went with Tawny's character.

NO JOKER APPEARANCE - NONE, ZILCH - IN THIS HARLEY AND IVY STORY! Yay!

However, Batgirl still barely appears (as Barbara Gordon she contributes a bit more, though). Boo.

As a sidenote, I find it so achingly endearing that heroes, villains and anyone in-between in this book can just text one another whenever they are in need of assistance, at any time. They don't only barge into each other's homes to ask for help. It's a tiny detail, but it makes everything all the more relatable (I wouldn't say realistic in this context, but, ya know). The women in 'Harley Quinn: The Animated Series, Vol. 1: The Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour' are there for the other; they look out for each other. They are a support group.

Furthermore is actual action: for example, I love how Ivy uses her powers here, and oh how the traumatised woman kicks arse near the end!

While the comic is not perfect - it does end abruptly, with a lame villain "reveal", and Harley is turned into a damsel in distress, and there's an unresolved, forgotten plot thread involving Michigan toxic waste site CEOs, and a tainted water supply - it is an enjoyable treat, in its own right, divorced from the TV series. I have not been swayed to watch the third season of 'Harley Quinn: The Animated Series', but owning this delightful - and delightfully queer and patriarchy-smashing - 'Harley Quinn' comic is enough for me.

Harlivy forever.

Final Score: 4/5

EDIT: I can't believe it took me so long to realise - Vixen/Mari's girlfriend is named Elle. Mari and Elle. The couple in Tee Franklin's acclaimed 'Bingo Love' comic series are named Mari and Elle! What an awesome callback she put in here! Mari is apparently a common enough name that the link could be made.

Graphic Novel Review - 'Jem and the Holograms, Vol. 2: Viral' by Kelly Thompson (Writer), Various Artists

I enjoyed this comic volume sequel. I liked it enough that I might actually read the rest of the 'Jem and the Holograms' reboot series, and fully make up my mind from there. The series isn't very long anyway, thank goodness, and it'll be my first in completing a graphic novel series that does have a conclusion and runs for more than two collected volumes. An added bonus and incentive to this is that it's all written by Kelly Thompson (barring 'Dimensions'), one of my favourite comic book writers.

'Jem and the Holograms, Vol. 2: Viral', on its own, is very entertaining. It's colourful and fun, with plenty of character and relationship drama. It's surprisingly sweet and cute, too. I love the 'Annual 2015' issue at the beginning, and the 'Holiday Special' at the end. It took me a while to get used to the different artists for each issue, but the energy and atmosphere are carefully consistent and intact. The characters are unforgettable, a solid bunch, with some needed nuance, revelations, and development to them. Same goes for the references, themes and drama.

Kimber and Stormer, star-crossed lovers from rival bands, are adorable individually and together. Kimber's love of sharks (as well as onesies in general) reminds me of the titular star of 'Nimona'. Jerrica and Rio are growing on me. Unfortunately I still don't care much for the love lives of Aja and Shana - it's their talents, aspirations and banter that interest me. Pizzazz shows a great, heartwarming amount of depth. Clash and Blaze don't appear, except maybe for one panel. Boo. And who the heck are Elise Harcourt and Greta?

This is also the volume that introduces Eric Raymond. Little that he actually appears, he makes as much of an impact as the rest of the cast; he demands your attention. Additionally, I'm fond of Techrat. The male characters are few and far between, but they are given as much care and attention as the abundant, loud and flourishing female queens of 'Jem'.

Last noteworthy detail: Jetta says "wanker" a lot. It's awesome she doesn't skimp on the British slang and phrases to go with her dry, deadpan, fed-up type of British humour (she says "bollocks", as well). Though I do wonder if Thompson knows that "wanker" is close to the most extreme swearwords (not to mention the sexual connotations) in England, and wouldn't necessarily be appropriate for younger YA audiences. I mean, over here we can barely get away with saying "bugger" in adverts (commercials for you yank(er)s) on comedy channels on primetime night television.

I'll see this version of 'Jem and the Holograms' through to the end, and then maybe give my final thoughts. In the meantime, things look to be taking a darker turn, and I am here for it!

Link here to my review of 'Jem and the Holograms: Showtime'.

Final Score: 3.5/5

EDIT: I have now read every trade paperback comic that has to do with the 'Jem and the Holograms' reboot. While I enjoyed some of it - I especially like 'The Misfits' volume - overall I was unfortunately underwhelmed and disappointed. Characters and arcs get forgotten about or pushed aside, as is sadly typical of long-running comic series' like these. It all "ends", in the fifth volume and in 'Infinite', on non-climaxes that are not so much "truly outrageous" as they are "eh". As of writing, the series is, in fact, incomplete, and I am not satisfied. I will keep the first cute, colourful and endearing volume, though, and will continue to praise the series for its diversity, if nothing else.

Graphic Novel Review - 'Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: A Modern Graphic Retelling of Little Women' by Rey Terciero (Writer), Bre Indigo (Artist)

'Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy' is a book that can change lives. It can inspire. It can bolster, foster, and blossom hope. It is so darn warm, lovely, raw and teary, yet positive, that it nearly made me cry.

It looks like Greta Gerwig's film wasn't the only great 'Little Women' adaptation to come out in 2019. 'Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy' is a modern retelling of the classic children's book, and yeah, I admit it, I like it better than the original. No, that doesn't do it justice: I love it - body, heart and soul.

'Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: A Modern Graphic Retelling of Little Women' is one of the best graphic novels I've ever read. Whatever flaws it has do not matter (nothing can be perfect, after all). It is just such a wonderful, all-encompassing experience, like a big pink and purple blanket. It overflows with passion. It is about life, about family, about friends, about love in all its different forms, about obstacles and tragedies...

About growing up.

It is about realising that life isn't fair, but that doesn't mean it's utterly hopeless and cruel, or it doesn't have to be. It is about how change is scary, uncomfortable, and even heartbreaking, but mostly it can be a good thing; no, it's necessary. The worst of challenges, struggles and devastations are sent to try us, to test us.

Above everything else, this beautiful, and diverse and inclusive, gem of a modern adaptation is about sisterhood. Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March couldn't be more different from each other: Meg the fashionista and wannabe shallow socialite; Jo the tomboyish bookworm, aspiring writer and social activist (with a nonetheless troubling secret); Beth the quiet and shy sweetheart musician; and Amy the loud, boisterous, self-indulgent artist (and gamer) and baby of the family. Each sister has her own realistic flaws to be self-aware of and overcome, but they love each other dearly. They are caterpillars - growing, developing, shifting, evolving, turning into butterflies. They are stronger together, to be there, and help out however they can. They are a family, and they will learn never to take each sister (and parent, too) for granted.

Change is inevitable, but love is eternal. As is hope.

The March sisters are brill characters individually, but in their beloved sisterhood bond they are so marvellous it hurts. Be they fighting, disagreeing, or dealing with their own lives, as sisters do, they will come through for each other when it matters. It's a testament to the true extent of humanity's capacity for kindness, support and sacrifice, how much they care for one another.

Love, kindness, understanding, and support are key to human progress and survival.

We need more positive sisterhood representation - and positive mother-and-daughter and father-and-daughter representation - like in 'Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy'.

The twists on the familiar elements of 'Little Women' are excellent, genius even (I won't dare spoil any of them). The emails (mostly from the girls to their father, who's in the military in the Middle East), letters, and journal entries that are interspersed between chapters are real and heartwarming to read, with each sister's voice very distinct in each one. They struck a chord with me. They are full of love, comfort and memories.

Of course there is lots of POC and LBGTQ rep, and it is socially and politically conscious and responsible. Why wouldn't it be? I was shocked when I found that a lot of negative reviews of 'Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy' on Goodreads and Amazon are from homophobes. All I can say to them is: I am so, so sorry, that you had been brought up like that, to believe such things, to have such a narrow and stubborn disregard for reality, and for your fellow people. I am sorry that it had caused you to completely miss the point of the book, and to blatantly ignore its teachings, about love and tolerance and why they are so *&%£*!ing important. I sincerely, profoundly hope that you will do better for your children, if you have any, and there is a 50/50 chance they will be LGBTQ+, after all.

I originally bought 'Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy' mainly to spite the homophobes, and the right-wing, fascist-leaning people. Given how much I ended up loving it, I only wish I had been driven to give it a chance under more positive circumstances, through better motivations. But that is the world we are still living in, unfortunately and gravely.

Those final few pages, those images: pure genius. No spoilers, just read it and find out for yourself. It is the ultimate catharsis after a long, harrowing, and beautiful coming-of-age and worldly journey.

'Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy' - It is everything. Well, not everything, but it does its own everything so well. It deals with sensitive subjects like poverty, war, cancer (specifically leukaemia), racism, bullying, generational trauma, and all around change, which is a good thing for people and society - all magnificently. Change in ambitions, careers and what, deep in your heart, you want to do in your life are vital to bring to light, too.

Making the world a better, more liveable place: the goal of 'Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: A Modern Graphic Retelling of Little Women'.

A new favourite. Something I really needed right now. I want to hand it to everyone, including my future children.



'[March girls]. We can do anything.'

'Bring it on, life. March girls can take anything you throw at us.'

'Today I marched with my sisters, both literally and figuratively. And while the world isn't where it should be, it's on its way...'



Final Score: 5/5

Graphic Novel Review - 'Jem and the Holograms: Showtime' by Kelly Thompson (Writer), Sophie Campbell (Artist), Maria Victoria Robado (Colourist)

I'm happy I gave this one another chance. I mean, really, just look at it! Aesthetically the 'Jem and the Holograms' reboot comic series is just my thing. The colours, the style, the female friendliness, the inclusivity, and how it is like Magical Girls with pop rock bands. And yes, there's the truly outrageousness of it all. It certainly lives up to that iconic phrase.

This version of 'Jem' is like a drag show with women - all that hair and makeup! Not to mention the names - and I love it. It's fun and pretty!

I'm not very familiar with the 'Jem and the Holograms' franchise. It is part of the eighties cartoon/toy line that was before my time, and I only watched, like, two dozen or so episodes of the show online years ago before deciding it wasn't for me. I remember the songs being surprisingly good and decent, though. But I think that Kelly Thompson and Sophie Campbell's take on these characters, and how they would be in modern music/social media times, reflects what I would have liked from them in the eighties cartoon. 'Jem and the Holograms: Showtime' is far from perfect, but I can't wait to see where it'll be going. I will read the second volume soon.

It doesn't even matter that it's a wholly visual medium where the reader has to imagine that the music and lyrics are good. Its energy, prettiness and showtime-liness holds up!

Each character is memorable, loud and proud. But my favourite so far has to be Kimber, the little sister and beloved drama queen and "trainwreck" who is shockingly mature and thoughtful when it matters. There are many layers to her, *ahem*, outrageous personality; she's a shy and sensitive soul underneath it all. She reminds me of Harley Quinn, in design, and in charisma, temperament, magnetism and idiosyncrasy.

The sisterhood bond of the Holograms band members Jerrica Benton/Jem, Kimber Benton, Aja Leith, and Shana Elmsford is lovely to see. I hope to see more of it, plus Synergy, Pizzazz, Stormer, Jetta (love her hair and British wit), Clash, and Blaze in the following issues. Of course the Misfits are great, too. OTT is their style, which is saying a lot with a comic like this.

'Jem and the Holograms: Showtime' - It took me a while (first read was in 2016), but I've finally come to like and appreciate it. Yes it belongs on my graphic novel shelf! I'll see how the series pans out, outrageously far behind as I am. Kelly Thompson is as much a star as Jem.

Final Score: 3.5/5

EDIT: Link here to my review of 'Jem and the Holograms, Vol. 2: Viral', and my thoughts on the series as a whole.

Graphic Novel Review - 'D&D: Dungeon Club, #1: Roll Call' by Molly Knox Ostertag (Writer), Xanthe Bouma (Artist)

'I'm not good at friends, but I am good at stories.'

'Middle school is impossible if you're not in a group.'



Such a fun, sweet, heartfelt and colourful D&D story for 2023. It's about creativity, but the overriding themes are friendship and growing up.

Middle schooler Jess Descheene is best friends with Olivia Aguilar, and has been for a long time. What they share most is 'Dungeons & Dragons'. Jess aways thought that was enough - her imagination and her one friend, together in their own private world in the form of D&D. But when Olivia, the Dungeon Master, wants to play it with more friends - starting a D&D club at school, plus seeing her other school friends and maybe running for student council - Jess's world begins to crumble, both in real life and in her D&D game.

Friends, bullies, bully victims, supportive and understanding fathers, oh and magic, adventure, beastly creatures, swordfighting demon descendants, and cleric elf mages in imaginative kids' tabletop roleplaying fantasy - together and in parallel.

'D&D: Dungeon Club, #1: Roll Call' is really adorable and wholesome, also containing fantasy elements I like. It's good and relevant even for people who don't normally play tabletop games. I kind of wish I could play now. This graphic novel made me gravitate more towards the imaginative fantasy tabletop playing circles than 'The Adventure Zone' did. 'D&D: Dungeon Club' is more inclusive and accessible, at least.

Jess isn't always likeable, but she is a child growing up, and she is lonely and insecure (in her school and family life), for understandable reasons. I can relate to her there, when I was a child myself; that and her imagination, which is a big part of her personality.

But what is up with her comment early on about a "rule" on nerds not being popular? Where have you been, Jess?!

Moon witch Artemis Crescent, rolling out now. Skill and hit points relative to any situation. That and moon phase powers.

Final Score: 3.5/5