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The last issue of this series proved it’s for adults, especially those with a good sense of humor. There is nothing like this comic on the stands and if you like chaotic, graffiti style art you need this in your life!
So what’s it about?
The official summary reads:
Gwen and Rita wage total war against Josie and her obnoxious gang. Daphne sells her soul for one last shot at redemption. This ish is stuffed to the gills with an action-packed story, bonus art, soundtrack, and sketchbook. Plus, a variant cover by Pixar superstar artist ELIZA IVANOVA!
Why does this matter?
Jim Mahfood and Justin Stewart have basically given us the punk rock equivalent of a comic book that doesn’t give a shit what you think. It’s a loud, drug-induced good time. Get some!
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Let’s go!
After last issue with Daphne discovering herself in the afterlife, Mahfood goes all in with the action this issue with Gwen and Rita taking on Josie full tilt. And by full tilt, I mean throwing grenades into crowds of civilians and giving no shits. The fight isn’t quite fair though, since Josie has a magic cellphone that can create anything she wills to fight for her. Basically, she’s got a Green Lantern type power. As the battle wages on, Mahfood cuts back and forth to Daphne who has seen the light and the errors of her ways. Problem is, she needs to make a deal with a very bad entity to get a second chance. It’s clear at this point Mahfood has crafted one wild epic that’s hard to anticipate as it twists and turns in the craziest ways that’s incredibly fun.
This issue is very humorous with most of the laughs coming from the followers of Josie who eat it in a variety of ways. Mahfood has them reflect on the things they’ll never get to do–and the things they thought they were so original and awesome for wanting to do–which allows the series to reflect on society as a whole.
The art is, of course, glorious in so many ways. Daphne’s scenes continue to be drawn on a yellowish paper, reminiscent of Ralph Steadman’s style as seen in Hunter S. Thompson books. This issue has Mahfood intermixing pencil sketches with inked and colored panels which adds another layer to the work. I’d love to know how Mahfood plans a page because at times it’s as if he’s changing gears at a moment’s notice, and yet, that chaotic nature is controlled and gives the book a ton of energy. The scenes in the real world continue to slap the Ben-Day dot love across panels and the violence is detailed and fun. Stewart’s colors continue to use bits of red for blood in interesting ways and in one scene he chooses to leave those being killed by our heroes in white, which creates a nice contrast.
Cool powers.
It can’t be perfect can it?
There are going to be folks who dislike the adult themes or hate the art. I get that. This book isn’t for everybody. Great art rarely caters to all people.
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I will say if you boil this series down its mostly insane action and not a lot more. Gwen and Rita aren’t the most interesting or complex characters. Daphne is getting all the attention since this story is an arc about her becoming a nicer person. Take away all the cool art and you’ll realize there isn’t a ton to this series, though part of its genius is how slim it is on plot while still holding your attention all the way through.
Is It Good?
Another excellent issue in this series that’ll wow you with visuals and ultraviolence. It’s certainly one of the most action-packed issues.
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