Graphic Novel Review - 'Jem and the Holograms: Dimensions' by Various

My final 'Jem and the Holograms' reboot comic review.

I'll try to make it brief. We'll see how that fares.

'Jem and the Holograms: Dimensions' is an anthology comic, featuring titchy little "adventures" with the characters. It is the only 'Jem' comic not to be written by Kelly Thompson. Instead, we have multiple writers and artists for each story, including Kate Leth, Sarah Kuhn, Sarah Winifred Searle, Sam Maggs, Kevin Panetta, and the return of Sophie Campbell for the first one, 'Catnap' (alongside regular colourist M. Victoria Robado).

These stories are... okay. Mostly mediocre.

'Catnap' and 'Shooting Stars' are cute. In 'Catnap', I like Misty (hijabi rep FTW!), and seeing Clash and Blaze together is awesome. It's like a toxic fangirl/internet troll fight in the snow, on a ski trip, but in a fun, goofy, campy way, reminiscent of the classic eighties cartoon. Plus it has Pizzazz's cat, Madmartigan, as a star. Speaking of, 'Shooing Stars' has the 'Starlight Girls', the young foster girls and the Holograms' protégées, take center stage. Though why does Jem's dress have a boob window in this one?

'Stargirl' (a lot of stars, huh?) is very good. It has the best art - the prettiest art - and it showcases Shana and her talent as a fashion designer exceptionally well. I adore Andre - fellow fashion designer, model, and drag queen.

'Tasty', about the Misfits, Pizzazz, photography, magazines, imagery, and celebrity exploitation, is also pretty excellent.

But the rest are definitely mediocre, in writing and art.

The 'Dungeons and Dragons' story, 'Roll with It', which this whole anthology supposedly owes its existence to, is random, baffling, illogical, and disjointed. What was the point of it? However, at least it contains more of Synergy than any of the later 'Jem' comics. In fact, I don't think she appears in any of the other stories here! WTF?

What the hell is up with the art and ending of 'Haunted'? The ending is far too rushed, and Jem and the Holograms and the Misfits look like bodybuilders and construction site workers, and their smiles are more terrifying than anything in their "haunted" spooky TV environment.

Some of these 'Jem' tales are cute, but some others are flat and pointless.

Hardly any male characters are present. No Rio, no Craig, no Tony, and yeah, you can forget about Techrat. I do not miss Riot, though. There's Andre, and Eric Raymond in 'Tasty', plus a sleazy photographer guy, and that's it. 'Dimensions' is truly girl power and femme empowerment central.

The index page at the beginning of the comic lets the readers know (in parentheses) when each story is supposed to take place in the 'Jem' canon, most notably whether it's set before or after 'Infinite'. The parentheses in the final story, 'Jemojis', misspells 'Misfits' as 'Misfist'. Typo. Oops.

Sorry, I have to add: Why do Kimber, Shana, Aja, and Raya look utterly stoned on the comic's cover? Seriously, the way they stare, they look dopey as hell. Shana looks like she's seeing some %$*@!

I think I'll end my crowning 'Jem' review by mentioning something in the comics that I had previously barely touched on, and that I wish to rectify now. It is, specifically, about a character:

Clash, real name Constance Montgomery.

Basically, she is the Misfits' eternal groupie and coffee girl. Which is fitting, considering she worked in a café before Pizzazz hired her, as seen in 'The Misfits'. She possesses no musical talent; she is only their toady and tool woman. She is a complete simp who will go along with, and even orchestrate, any of the Misfits' schemes, no matter how dangerous and deadly. You never really feel sorry for this hopeless, hapless yet enthusiastic fangirl.

Clash's relationship with her girlfriend Blaze, the Misfits' lead guitarist and singer, who may leave to front her own band someday, is the cutest.

'Catnap' shows Clash at her best. It's her own wacky skiing misadventure, where she cat-sits for cute little Madmartigan, and it ends on her and Blaze kissing!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaand that's it.

And I mean it this time.

Farewell, IDW's 'Jem and the Holograms'. I will be coming back to reading you again and again. You are a gem of a magical girl series, a dark horse, when I'm not normally into music bands and brands.

Thank you for your colours, style, cuteness, and diversity, and your rebooting, retooling, and updating of a nostalgic property done right.

Best of all, thank you for your girl power. These are the stars in my eyes.

'Jem' and 'The Misfits' - such good girly comics.

I stand by my claim that 'Jem' deserves a reboot cartoon series, and a real movie adaptation.

Final Score (for 'Dimensions'): 3/5

Graphic Novel Review - 'Jem and the Holograms: Infinite' by Kelly Thompson (Writer), Stacey Lee (Artist), Jen Hickman (Artist), Jenn St-Onge (Artist), M. Victoria Robado (Colourist, Lyrics Letterer), Various Colourists and Letterers

As far as I'm concerned, 'Jem and the Holograms: Infinite' is the true - truly outrageous - ending to the comic series; infinitely more so than the comic volume actually titled 'Truly Outrageous'.

I mean, the stakes have never been higher, and it has a bit of everything, from the series proper and in general.

Behold! Therein lie: a dark alternate universe, not-so sci-fi horror, real deadly dangers, a class divide via a literal wall (which always means a kind of paywall), 'Mad Max' vibes and energy, Jem and the Holograms and the Misfits working together once again, major Stimber content and fanservice, tense, uh, tension between Jerrica/Jem and Pizzazz, dad Emmett Benton being alive in the alternate world, heartfelt and tearful reunions, Eric Raymond finally getting to be the evil corporate CEO he was always meant to be, Techrat is back! (alternate dimension Techrat, but still), a kind of reconciliation between Jerrica and Rio, and terrific, colourful artwork all around.

It is a sci-fi dystopia: 'Jem' edition.

It doubles as a sort-of sequel to the 'Dark Jem' arc.

All these music women with clashing personalities are dynamic and magnificent together, whether any one of them would admit it or not. But of course this time there is more at stake than their rivalry. The fate of the world lies in their hands. And in Synergy and her groundbreaking, revolutionary technology.

There are subtle little character moments throughout that mean something, too, if you've read the rest of the comics.

It is noteworthy and timely that 'Jem and the Holograms: Infinite' is a warning about the dangers of AI and how it can be exploited and abused at the cost of humanity - of the economy - and the unending, unsatisfied greed of the 1% and the unsustainable non-growth of capitalism are entirely to blame for it. The same can be said of other unethical actions taken by rich men, just so they can get richer.

'Jem and the Holograms: Infinite' - a better, more exciting, meaningful, and satisfying, and less-rushed, ending to this comic series, with sparkles and showers of potential still to be tapped.

The whole comic run and line had to have been cancelled for some unknown reason. A strong case for this argument in 'Infinite' is it ends on a 'The End?', and it has plot threads and even characters that're left hanging with no resolution as to what happens to them, or even what their point in existing is (I'm being vague due to spoilers). It was meant to be a sequel hook, I'm sure of it.

Despite my overall praise, and the return-to-form and gone-above-and-beyond in 'Jem''s sci-fi premise and content, there remains not enough Synergy. I swear she appears less and less in each comic release.

It could have found further use for Raya, the new Hologram, and given her a highlight; a chance to shine in the spotlight; a reason to be.

But I'll take it as it is. 'Infinite' is probably the closest we'll ever get to a real ending to the 'Jem' reboot comics.

Entertaining, loud, outrageous stuff - what 'Jem' and comics were made for.

Oh yes, one last thing: PUNK ROCK REVOLUTION!

Final Score: 4/5

What I've been up to the past few days...

I'm on my second week of my summer and birthday break.

I went to Blenheim Palace yesterday, in my new birthday dress, and today I went out in my best purples and pinks ever. I won't show photos of myself, since I'm trying to not post too many pictures of myself online, but I know I looked fab-tabulous!

I'm a lilac witch princess geek. A Witchess!

I also ate a Wonder Woman donut.

Photos of Blenheim:

It is a huge place.

There were a lot of ducks. And wasps. And statues of Greek goddesses (including Artemis!) and female monsters, as well as lovely portraits of duchesses. Plus mouse dolls for a scavenger hunt for the kids.

Graphic Novel Review - 'Jem and the Holograms: The Misfits' by Kelly Thompson (Writer), Jenn St-Onge (Artist). M. Victoria Robado (Colourist, Lyrics Letterer), Shawn Lee (Letterer)

A comic about "bad girls" in the entertainment industry has never been more investing, engaging, humanising, poignant, powerful, empowering, biting, bold, and beautiful.

This isn't a run-of-the-mill gossip column, tabloid magazine, or faux journalism news article aiming to tear down famous women driven to desperation - reality TV - for a sick sense of schadenfreude, that's for sure.

I am completely sincere when I say that 'Jem and the Holograms: The Misfits' is not only one of the best things to come out of the comic reboot series, if not the best...

... It is one of the best comics to come out in the last ten years--correction, the last twenty years now.

It is just so inspiring, meaningful, and heartfelt. It is true female empowerment, and female love, support, and friendship and family. It is something you would not expect from a comic entirely about the Misfits, and that's the point.

These "mad", "bad", "crazy", "difficult", "washed out" "has-beens" and "divas" and "trainwrecks" have depth. They are not "bitches", they are human, and they have real lives of their own, as well as real talents they want to show the world.

It's not their fault society dealt them a bad hand, and they were let down by people from their pasts who were supposed to love, protect and support them. They now have each other, and that's what matters.

Their music, and each other, matter to the Misfits.

In that way, they are not so different from Jem and the Holograms. Though they won't admit it.

They are the Misfits - their whole purpose and identity are in their band name - and they do not have to explain themselves to anyone, nor prove anything to anyone.

No one is perfect, perfection is impossible, and they embrace that. They let their talents and humanity shine through.

No one with any sense would want these firecracker misfits - the "bad girl" band who will set the world on fire in a good way and make music history - to change.

They are the new, 21st century feminist rioters, roarers and punk rockers, set alight, alright.

In 'The Misfits', readers learn a lot about Jem's rival band from their last ditch effort to save their careers after no music label will touch them - reality TV, set in Pizzazz's pad. It is a desperate last resort that, miracle of miracles, does turn out for the better, and it shines a new light of truth on the band women.

Pizzazz, real name Phyllis Gabor, aka the green girl - frontwoman, lead singer, and guitarist - is like a female punk rock Daffy Duck with a criminal record. She is more than an unhappy rich girl from an absent, loveless family, who is lashing out - she is a great advocate for other music-minded women, and loyal and supportive to her friends no matter what, even with her rage issues. There is heart and encouragement underneath her "nasty", "hateful", "resentful" temperament. I love her. It's honestly surprising that the violent and borderline unstable rockstar wasn't given a drug abuse and rehab backstory; maybe it would have been too mature and sensitive a topic for a YA audience?

Stormer, real name Mary Phillips, aka the blue girl - keytarist and songwriter - let me tell you, her story and closing words on what it means to be a fat woman in the spotlight - and a fat queer woman at that - in a society and culture obsessed with thinness in women, and how that's upheld as the desirable default in modern beauty standards, it is an enlightening tearjerker. She will not hide any part of herself, she is here to stay, and she will take up any space she wants. &%$@! what anyone says. I love her story.

Blaze, real name Leah Dwyer, aka the red and orange girl - singer and lead guitarist - is a sweet and beautiful transgender icon. She is currently thinking of starting her own band, inspired by another female singer from her childhood. She is meeting the other band in secret, in fact. But she will always be a Misfit, and they are her girls, and part of her family (plus her girlfriend Clash, real name Constance Montgomery).

Roxy, real name Roxanne Pelligrini, aka the grey and white girl, is not just a "dumb" drummer girl and bagel girl (seriously, she is obsessed with bagels). She came from a poor and tragic family and homelife, and any setbacks and deficiencies in her education are not her fault. She is not stupid. She is passionate, and loves music as much as the rest of the Misfits, her found family.

And speaking of, last but not least is Jetta, *ahem* real name Sheila Burns, aka the black and white lightning girl, and the Misfits' bassist. I won't dare spoil much about her, but her story is all about found family. Ultimately, that is the Misfits. Jetta is an iconic Black rockstar woman who leans in on the angry Brit stereotype. Roxy is her best friend, and she will do anything to defend and protect her. She will protect her from the invasive reality TV crew...

I love every woman in this comic, but especially every one of the rock'n'roll ladies. Their fierce drive and passion - not to mention their love for one another, as, again, a found family, when they had no one else (well, Blaze has her sister Courtney, and Clash, and her new band, and Stormer has her brother Craig, who is dating one of the Holograms, Aja, and of course she is also dating a Hologram, Kimber) - it is infectious. You can't help but feel for these loud and proud individuals, and their individual, unique stories. They won't let anyone or anything stand in their way towards earned fame and recognition.

Together, they will turn their reality TV show to their advantage; they will flip the narrative in their favour, and make the show their own - for the comeback of their band and label.

Found family. Found label.

For someone like me, who cares not a stotch about music news, and celebrity gossip and culture, and who is vehemently against all the toxicity and systematic abuse that comes with the famous lifestyle, to love a comic book like 'Jem and the Holograms: The Misfits', is saying something massive. It might be revolutionary, even.

It is damn funny and witty, to boot.

The artwork is great. Top tier. Ten out of ten.

I want to hug this comic.

It is something special. Not quite a five star for me, but it comes extremely close. It might be my favourite 'Jem' media product that doesn't feature Jem and the Holograms themselves.

The Misfits are equally as terrific and valid. Whether their songs are better is up for debate.

Eric Raymond, wannabe evil mastermind manager, is in this, too. But Madmartigan, Pizzazz's cat, is more of a star than he is.

I'll leave off with part of Stormer's speech to the reality TV crew at the end of her story/issue, because it is that good, and everyone needs to hear it:


'I'm not just putting myself out there so that I can have a magnificent life. I'm also doing it for you. Because if people like me run and hide, if we pretend for you that we don't exist, then you just don't get any smarter. If I disappear, you win. And I'm not remotely okay with that.

But If I can just be strong... not all the time, but just the times when it feels impossible, if I can get through those moments and get to the next easier one... then... the world can actually be better. Someone somewhere said being fat in public is to be a revolutionary. I didn't want to be a revolutionary... [...] ... All I ever wanted to do was write, sing, play... I thought that was what I had to offer... but giving music... it's all the same. It's all me. It's all giving the world a piece of me.

[...] And if you--any of you--have a problem with that... then, well... just try to stop me. I'm made of storms and I will tear. you. up.'


@&^%!ing brilliant.

Final Score: 4/5

Graphic Novel Review - 'Jem and the Holograms, Vol. 5: Truly Outrageous' by Kelly Thompson (Writer), Gisèle Lagacé (Artist), M. Victoria Robado (Colourist), Various Artists

It's the fifth and final volume of the 'Jem and the Holograms' reboot comic run!

And it is rushed and unfinished, and as of this writing, there is no news of any continuation. No sequel, no relaunch, nothing.

Not so 'Truly Outrageous', after all. At least not the way the fans want it.

But there is 'The Misfits' solo comic, and 'Infinite'. It's not all for naught.

So. What happens at "the end", so to speak?

Spoilers ahead:

It is a beach/luau/holiday story, with a music tour and concert close to the end. The Stingers - minus Raya, who is now with the Holograms - are annoying like the bees they are, but especially Riot. For some inexplicable reason, no one can see he's a toxic narcissist with a serious ego and entitlement issues.

The rest of the Stingers, Rapture and Minx, almost get Kimber killed, when she falls for their trick of receiving a note from "Stormer" about a romantic rendezvous, and she falls off a cliff, leading everyone to find and save her. Cue rescue and hospital scene. This plot point is exactly like an episode of the eighties cartoon, and was it only included for something exciting and interesting to happen in the final volume? I hope not. I want to give Kelly Thompson more credit than that. She did her best despite, I suspect, restrictions, editorial mandates, and cancellation.

Jerrica reveals the truth to Rio about Jem, the Holograms, and Synergy, and the couple break up. That's something. Rio, a journalist, decides not to expose the girls and the Synergy technology to the world, for their sakes. The issue of whether to tell the truth to the world, about tech that is revolutionary on a global scale and thus potentially extremely dangerous, is their choice to make, and it is left up in the air if the sisters ever decide together to do it.

Some character arcs have little to no resolution, and the whole comic feels chopped up in editing.

Why leave hanging Riot (ugh) asking Jerrica out to make Rio and "Jem" jealous? What did Jerrica say? What did she do? She never brings it up afterwards, and Riot? He is literally never seen or mentioned again!

I shouldn't complain, honestly. I prefer no love triangle BS in my girl power stories unless it's a polygamous relationship, thank you, and not with an arsehole narcissist character like Riot.

Stormer is the only Misfit to appear in the main storyline. Seriously. The excuse is that the band is busy with their new reality TV show from 'The Misfits' comic. The TV crew are present as cameos, but not Pizzazz, Roxy, Jetta, or Blaze. What. The. Hell? Stormer is only here because of her relationship with Kimber.

Where does the "star-crossed lovers" idea go, anyway?

Eric Raymond was never a real threat to Jem and the Holograms, was he? He's unceremoniously brushed aside as the Misfits' longsuffering manager. Thank the goddesses for 'Infinite'.

At the hospital scene, near the denouement, Raya drops the bombshell that she knows Jem and Jerrica are the same person, after seeing the Jem hologram over Jerrica malfunction in the the previous volume. This is resolved quickly and concisely with little fanfare. Not that there was any doubt that Raya will keep her new band family's secret.

There is no shown tension between Shana and her almost-replacement, Raya. They're immediately friends and sisters, apparently. Pizzazz and her relationship with her almost-replacement, Blaze, had some tension, although it is befitting her character, unlike the nicer Shana, who wouldn't hold a grudge against sweet Raya. When Pizzazz's issue with Blaze resolved itself and they became friends, I have no idea.

Synergy only appears in one page. She isn't even in any of the last pages with Jerrica, Kimber, Aja, and Shana, together in sisterhood and solidarity, not just as a famous band with secret world changing tech. Not even any thoughts on their late parents? On Synergy, who looks like their mother, and what that means symbolically? Not exactly a bow on a stage to a worldwide audience, is it?

There might be too many characters for the creative team to keep track of, including one-offs who never appear anywhere else.

I miss Blaze and Clash.

Oh well.

Concluding notes:

The last story after the main one, 'An Exquisite Corpse', aka 'Annual 2017', is very cute. It is about the young foster girls, in a band called the Starlight Girls, who have written and drawn a 'Star Wars'-ian comic book starring Jem and the Holograms, using the exquisite corpse method. They are big fans of Kimber and Stormer - Stimber - as well, you can tell. It is lovely. Jerrica is understandably sad that she is not in the comic, only Jem.

(Why did her identity crisis issue never get resolved? WTH?!)

I like that Aja, the lead guitarist, is the practical and responsible handywoman - mechanic, maintenance, driver, the works - of the group, as well as a thrill chaser, all throughout the comic run. She has her funny and snaky moments. Her diverse rep: Asian and plus size.

Stimber FTW. I only wish that Stormer was allowed more to exist as a Misfit and her own separate person. She is a sweetie, and also great for fat representation.

Moreover, I like the comics' subversive and clever changes from the eighties cartoon. It improves and adds to it, while still showing it clear, bright love and respect.

Examples:

Kimber, originally, was boy crazy and had a new love interest in nearly ever episode; now she is a lesbian who has the same partner throughout the series, and it is a member of her rival band, the Misfits, who are more outrageous, funny, and complex than ever before.

Jerrica/Jem is the cheater in her and Rio's relationship, not Rio like in the cartoon. He dislikes Jem, and he rejected her advances in the 'Dark Jem' arc, and Jerrica willingly got romantically involved with Riot as Jem in 'Enter the Stingers'. (Rio. Riot. Heh.) Rio calls Jerrica out on this when she reveals she is Jem to him, and it is a primary factor into why they break up.

Loud, hyper, obnoxious, and temperamental Kimber, who acts like a Misfit, is canon OTP with the shy and sensitive Misfit Stormer, who would fit in well with Jem and the Holograms. Was this intentional? It's freaking clever, either way.

Oh, and I guess I should make note of the fact there is good and decent artwork again, after the last several issues. Thank the goddesses.

Overall, I enjoyed this reboot series. Wish it continued further, but I suppose you can't win them all.

It did lead to the precious awesomeness that is 'The Misfits', which I will review soon.

I love these women. I love their diversity, their personalities, their arcs, their clothes, their hair, their makeup, their flare, their joy, their banter, their musical passion and talents, their love and support for one another, everything.

Kelly Thompson, Sophie Campbell, and the other artists did them loud and proud, with style and substance. A phenomenal feat for comics with "music" in them.

'Jem and the Holograms' - a dark horse when it comes to magical girls with pop rock bands. It definitely needs to be bigger as a franchise. It needs to be expanded into a multimedia franchise. It needs a real screen remake. Maybe a new cartoon series. Make the awesome music happen!

Aaaaaaaaaaand that's it.

For now.

Links to my reviews of:


'Jem and the Holograms, Vol. 1: Showtime'

'Jem and the Holograms, Vol. 2: Viral'

'Jem and the Holograms, Vol. 3: Dark Jem'

'Jem and the Holograms, Vol. 4: Enter The Stingers'


Final Score: 3/5

Graphic Novel Review - 'Jem and the Holograms, Vol. 4: Enter The Stingers' by Kelly Thompson (Writer), Jen Bartel (Artist), Meredith McClaren (Artist), M. Victoria Robado (Colourist), Shawn Lee (Letterer)

'Jem and the Holograms, Vol. 4: Enter The Stingers' - another fun run and ride with Jem and the Holograms, and the Misfits.

Here we have the Stingers, which include the future Hologram and adorable cinnamon roll Raya, and the narcissistic and entitled lead singer Riot, whom Jerrica as Jem ends up dating, despite being with Rio.

(Rio. Riot. Really?)

Jerrica's identity crisis, and the psychological effects of juggling two separate identities, especially when one of them is a famous singer in a band, comes to a head in this volume.

Then there's the Misfits (or rather, Pizzazz) regressing in development, as they once again try to sabotage the Holograms, to devastating and even dangerous ends. Yeah their label dropped them, and their careers are in the gutter, but they have no reason to blame Jem and the Holograms for this when Pizzazz knows it is entirely due to Riot's machinations! Nearly everything bad that happens in this volume is his fault! Blaze is still a sweetheart.

The devious Dahlia Shen, stage name the Fox, appears.

Shana wants to pursue a career in fashion, and temporarily leaves the Holograms to go to Milan for an internship at a fashion industry. Spoiler: Raya doesn't end up replacing Shana - they are both in the band.

Also there are bears.

This is where 'Jem and the Holograms' goes full band(s) drama, and far less sci-fi, which is... quite a choice, especially considering literally everything from the previous volume. I think Synergy only appears in three panels on one page.

Furthermore, does anyone else think that part of Jerrica's intense psychological state, and preference to be Jem, has something to do with how Silica %*#@ed with her mind and changed her personality in the last volume? It's strange how something so extreme is brought up infinitesimally at the beginning, and then never again. Jem and the Holograms, and the Misfits, plus Rio, Craig, Tony, Eric, and Techrat (where did he go?), found out about real dangerous brainwashing technology, and literally saved the world, and they go back to their lives like nothing happened!

These volumes don't get any darker than 'Dark Jem', sadly. At least until 'Infinite'.

There are also some baffling plot contrivances, rewrites and editing choices in 'Enter the Stingers'. But they are tasty cakes compared to its number one obvious flaw. And it has nothing to do with Riot.

Okay. Let's discuss the elephant in the room.

Let's talk about the art, starting from issue #19.

I'm sorry, I don't want to seem mean, I know drawing for comics is hard, but I have to be honest:

The artwork is truly outrageous, in the worst possible way.

Good goddesses. To go from art so good to this would be jarring enough, but even on its own, it is terrible. It is ugly and off-putting. It's not merely that it doesn't suit 'Jem', I'm not sure where it would be suited, except in very short and sparse funny pages. The artist just couldn't draw humans; they look like aliens, or emaciated Muppets left out in the cold for too long. Whenever any of them opens their gaping black maw, it is nightmare fuel.

I don't expect to be reminded of Allie Brosh's art and a child's doodles of 'Peanuts' characters when reading the 'Jem and the Holograms' reboot comics, is all.

The characters' facial expressions are distinct and pronounced enough that I can always tell what they're thinking and feeling, and follow along fine, but that's the best praise I can give this aspect of the comic.

Thank the Muses that the art changes for the mightily, mercifully better in the fifth and final volume.

There is a funny moment where an ordinary citizen sees Jem change into Jerrica in a car, and he bemoans that he needs more sleep. Sorry. I'm still recovering from the artwork, and trying to find a silver lining in the mess.

If the comic wasn't engaging and entertaining otherwise, I would have knocked off a star for the art for issues #19-23 alone.

But that aside, I recommend 'Jem and the Holograms, Vol. 4: Enter The Stingers' as a continuation of the story of the rebooted 'Jem'. Through its flaws, there remains the sisterhood, and female solidarity and understanding - a sisterhood solidarity. Every woman is dynamic, and they feel real, in spite of their bizarre circumstances.

The music presence is as strong as ever, and I like Raya as a new Hologram member.

Stay tuned for my review of the final volume of the main run of 'Jem and the Holograms' - 'Truly Outrageous'.

Final Score: 3.5/5