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'.
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
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