Jem and the Holograms #16
Publisher: IDW
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Sophie Campbell
Colorist: M. Victoria Robado
Cover: Sophie Campbell
‘Dark Jem’ concludes in this issue as a truce of sorts between The Misfits and Holograms is formed in time to go up against Silica. A plan that might sound pretty direct and straightforward but leave it to Thompson to throw a curve or two to spice things up. Pizzazz’s plan to take out Silica and cure the thousands in attendance requires Jerrica to perform a series of actions while the band is on stage. It’s a sound plan, however, the ladies need to keep Jerrica’s secret and that’s just one issue to deal with. The other is Jerrica’s confidence in becoming Jem again since breaking free from Silica’s control. Thompson let’s us see how serious this is for her as her dialogue is filled with self doubt and her speech is peppered with stuttering. This is something we haven’t seen from her since the first couple of issues and works as a nice humanizing moment here.
Once everything kicks into high gear Campbell and Robado give us several of the best double page spreads this series has seen. Ever since the first issue debuted it’s been impressive how Campbell weaves the music into the art seamlessly. Each band gets to shine in a spread before they’re brought together on the same page. Though the most striking visuals are the minimalist approach to illustrate Silica’s demise. Then it’s back to bright and powerful images once again to please the eye.
Now things do wrap up here pretty cleanly and depending on your preferences this may or may not sit well with you. However, there’s a surprise at the end which should please longtime Jem fans. Not only do The Stingers show up but with an unexpected fourth member. It’ll be fun to see how their introduction is going to shake things up in the future. But Thompson has proved the Jem franchise is safe in her hands so I’m down to give it a look and you should as well.
In a time when people are clamoring for diversity in their comics the creative team behind Jem and the Holograms deliver. Not only that, but quality story and art to go along with it making it worth your time and money!
Infinite Speech
infinitespeech@comicattack.net
