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amyjoy's review
4.0
Oh, gosh, this is still totally delightful. I love the characters and the bright colors and the fun design. It's just great.
corncobwebs's review
I really like this series! I love it aesthetically - the colors, the clothes, the hairstyles. I also appreciated the queer relationship that just exists; it's not an "issue." I think the main reason I like this series so much is that it features strong female lead characters. In fact, most of the characters are young women - and they're all badasses. I really liked the new Batgirl comics for the same reason. I can't overstate how important it is to me as a comics reader to see characters that reflect the kind of person I am/the kind of person I want to be. It's not enough to have female characters - even female leads - if they're just going to be like the dumb stereotypes from the Archie comics. I want characters that are smart, strong, and witty - and, to my surprise, this series delivers.
I'm always on the lookout for more like this - if you have any suggestions, post a comment!
I'm always on the lookout for more like this - if you have any suggestions, post a comment!
cheermio's review
4.0
Where did Sophie Campbell gooooo?!?!?! Artist from first collected volume. Her art was way better IMHO.
chwaters's review
3.0
In this volume: picking up where Volume 1 left off, the Holograms continue to enjoy rising fame in spite of being disqualified from the contest with the Misfits. The Misfits, on the other hand are struggling with the bad press from their fallout with the Holograms. Jerrica is starting to crack under the pressure of trying to keep her secret identity, well, secret. It's particularly difficult since her boyfriend is an investigative reporter seeking the inside scoop on the Holograms' rise to fame. He can never seem to figure out why Jem is never around when Jerrica is. I guess it's because no one ever suspects that their girlfriend might have a holographic alter ego. Anyway, relationship drama persists for Kimber and Stormer who have a bit of a Romeo/Juliet vibe going except instead of Capulets vs. Montagues, it's Holograms vs. Misfits. As we get to know the Holograms a bit better, we also get to know the Misfits a bit better. It looks like even Pizazz has a vulnerable side. A new manager for the Misfits throws everyone for a loop. Brace yourselves for a serious cliffhanger moment at the end of the volume.
So, if you've been reading my reviews, you know that I had some issues with the first volume. I'm pleased to note that this volume kind of eases off on the whole cattiness thing between the two bands, but the rivalry remains. I'm happy to see more backstory for the various band members and hope to see them all become more developed. I'm still not completely in love with this series, but the elements that were bothering me in the first volume aren't quite as annoying this time around.
So, if you've been reading my reviews, you know that I had some issues with the first volume. I'm pleased to note that this volume kind of eases off on the whole cattiness thing between the two bands, but the rivalry remains. I'm happy to see more backstory for the various band members and hope to see them all become more developed. I'm still not completely in love with this series, but the elements that were bothering me in the first volume aren't quite as annoying this time around.
rach's review
5.0
Another super fun volume! I loved getting to know each of the characters on a deeper level, and seeing new sides to both the "good" guys and "bad" guys.
The first issue of the volume, with all the dreams, was a really interesting look into the minds of each Hologram - Jerrica is worried people will love Jem more than her, and eventually even her sisters (and Rio) will prefer Jem. And who is the real Jem? Who is the real Jerrica? At what point does one become the other? Aja's dream seems to indicate that she's thought about going out on her own, but has realized it's better to stick together. Shanna's dream is clearly indicative of her current inner conflict - she wants to pursue her dream of becoming a fashion designer, but she can't abandon her sisters, even if the band gets in the way of her own dream. Kimber's dream was just straight up adorable. Clearly she wants to be with Stormer and for the bands to get along and play music together, but even her subconscious knows that Pizzazz isn't going to let that happen.
Most of the major conflict in this volume centers around Jem and the Holograms being signed by Fivebyfive Records, and having to go on tour with the Misfits, which neither band is crazy about. I love that they are being forced to work together in a way. The Halloween party was adorable - I loved all the costumes - especially Kimber's super bowl shark, and the Misfits and Techrat's ode to the Karate Kid. I'm really happy that Kimber and Stormer made up, and the Jerrica and Rio are back together. His interactions with Jem still feel above board, and I'm still hopeful they won't bring up the love triangle.
Pizzazz's accident was really eye-opening - not only did we get a look inside Rio's life and head, but we got to see that the Misfits truly do care about one another, even Pizzazz. Stormer was so touched that she was Pizzazz's emergency contact, and when Rio finally goes to get Roxy and Jetta, they are out the door running as soon as they heard Pizzazz was hurt. It also gave the Holograms a chance to be generous to their rivals, and do what they could to pull the focus off of Pizzazz's injuries.
I loved the Christmas gift exchange story - Kimber and Stormer are really just the cutest, and I love how they both convince their bands to take the gift-buying seriously. What Jerrica said about being good guys really resonates - just because you're the good guys doesn't mean the other people are bad guys. It's about you, not about them. There doesn't have to be a bad guy, and you can only control your own actions. If you want to be good, be generous, be forgiving, and try to move on. The gifts they picked out for one another were thoughtful, and even though she was motivated by not wanting to be in Jem's debt, I love that even Pizzazz in the end got Jem the best gift she could think of.
I'm ready for the next volume, and since it's called "Dark Jem", I'm assuming it's going to having to do with what Techrat said after the Halloween party, about there being something wrong with Synergy. She's had a few moments throughout the book so far where you can tell she doesn't like being dismissed, and there's the issue over whether she's a real "person" who gets to make her own decisions. It'll be interesting to explore that in upcoming volumes.
The first issue of the volume, with all the dreams, was a really interesting look into the minds of each Hologram - Jerrica is worried people will love Jem more than her, and eventually even her sisters (and Rio) will prefer Jem. And who is the real Jem? Who is the real Jerrica? At what point does one become the other? Aja's dream seems to indicate that she's thought about going out on her own, but has realized it's better to stick together. Shanna's dream is clearly indicative of her current inner conflict - she wants to pursue her dream of becoming a fashion designer, but she can't abandon her sisters, even if the band gets in the way of her own dream. Kimber's dream was just straight up adorable. Clearly she wants to be with Stormer and for the bands to get along and play music together, but even her subconscious knows that Pizzazz isn't going to let that happen.
Most of the major conflict in this volume centers around Jem and the Holograms being signed by Fivebyfive Records, and having to go on tour with the Misfits, which neither band is crazy about. I love that they are being forced to work together in a way. The Halloween party was adorable - I loved all the costumes - especially Kimber's super bowl shark, and the Misfits and Techrat's ode to the Karate Kid. I'm really happy that Kimber and Stormer made up, and the Jerrica and Rio are back together. His interactions with Jem still feel above board, and I'm still hopeful they won't bring up the love triangle.
Pizzazz's accident was really eye-opening - not only did we get a look inside Rio's life and head, but we got to see that the Misfits truly do care about one another, even Pizzazz. Stormer was so touched that she was Pizzazz's emergency contact, and when Rio finally goes to get Roxy and Jetta, they are out the door running as soon as they heard Pizzazz was hurt. It also gave the Holograms a chance to be generous to their rivals, and do what they could to pull the focus off of Pizzazz's injuries.
I loved the Christmas gift exchange story - Kimber and Stormer are really just the cutest, and I love how they both convince their bands to take the gift-buying seriously. What Jerrica said about being good guys really resonates - just because you're the good guys doesn't mean the other people are bad guys. It's about you, not about them. There doesn't have to be a bad guy, and you can only control your own actions. If you want to be good, be generous, be forgiving, and try to move on. The gifts they picked out for one another were thoughtful, and even though she was motivated by not wanting to be in Jem's debt, I love that even Pizzazz in the end got Jem the best gift she could think of.
I'm ready for the next volume, and since it's called "Dark Jem", I'm assuming it's going to having to do with what Techrat said after the Halloween party, about there being something wrong with Synergy. She's had a few moments throughout the book so far where you can tell she doesn't like being dismissed, and there's the issue over whether she's a real "person" who gets to make her own decisions. It'll be interesting to explore that in upcoming volumes.
woowottreads's review
4.0
3.5 stars. How fun and charming. The art makes everyone seem younger than they did in the TV show. But then, the TV show was the 80s, and everyone looked at least a decade older than they were anyway in TV or movies. Sometimes, they WERE a decade or so older. But I digress. I like how everyone is fleshed out a bit more, has distinct personalities. I adored Pizzazz, and I even liked Techrat. I love the diversity. I love how colorful it all was. And...I liked Rio. That's a first. In the show, he was just...rather a dull tool. Good job, Ms Thompson.
Sadly, I read this volume first, because the library didn't have the first volume. I shall see if I can hunt it down.
Sadly, I read this volume first, because the library didn't have the first volume. I shall see if I can hunt it down.
ghostbusterwhit's review
4.0
A lot of fun. The art is inconsistent because of the different artists, and it's a bit jarring.