Jem And The Holograms #21 Review: The Fox Stirs The Pot
By Alex Widen
A Fox has infiltrated the Holograms! Pizzazz plots her revenge, and Jem is going through an identity crisis! Is there any way Shana can save them?
Jem And The Holograms #21
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Meredith McClaren
Colorist: M. Victoria Robado
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As always, things are hectic for everyone’s favorite science fiction powered girl band! With Shana’s internship to Italy official, the Holograms have been split up. The Misfits have been dropped from their record label, and plot their revenge. Riot’s infatuation with Jem continues, and Fox continues her infiltration of the Holograms at Pizzazz’s request. Like any issue, there’s a lot to unpack with Kelly Thompson’s deep and layered plotting, so it’s best to take things one chord at a time.
Image by IDW Publishing
In many ways, the Holograms haven’t been the same since they saved the world from Silica. Shana got accepted to a fashion design internship in Italy, and after much heartache from her and her sisters, she took it. Unfortunately, things aren’t going so well in Milan. Rather than fill some sort of creative role or receive direct mentoring, Shana and fellow intern Regine Cesaire are over worked with menial tasks. Neither of them are feeling it, and Shana’s sad to be away from home.
Fox May Be Too Clever for Everyone’s Good!
The Holograms have solved the problem of replacing Shana on drums almost too quickly. The mysterious Fox appeared out of nowhere to fill the gap, and the band is gelling musically. Aja may feel like a genius for recruiting her, but, in reality, Fox is Pizzazz’s mole. After being dumped by their record label, the Misfits’ leader is more convinced than ever that the Holograms have some hidden secret behind them. She’s more right than she knows, as Fox edges closer to finding Synergy!
Image by IDW Publishing
It’s not enough to plant a mole within the Holograms for Pizzazz, however. She also wants to infiltrate Jem’s next gig at a masquerade ball. While their record label dumped the Misfits due to longtime issues in addition to seeking to please the front man of the Stingers, Pizzazz blames Jem personally. Their alliance long forgotten, Pizzazz’s always a force to be reckoned with when angered! Even their back up singer Blaze is being dragged into the action!
Image by IDW Publishing
The Stingers are also hardly the picture of unity right now. Riot’s infatuation with Jem is getting in the way of running the band, and neither Rapture nor Minx are happy. In addition, Raya is having a crisis all her own. Despite being at the peak of success, she isn’t feeling happy and may be leaving the band. In the original 1980s cartoon, Raya wound up joining the band during one of Shana’s exits, and Thompson does a great job of paying homage to the past in fresh new ways.
Image by IDW Publishing
Is Jerrica Falling for Her Own Act?
Yet the biggest crisis isn’t Kimber and Stormer fending off the press, it’s Jem herself. Ever since the Silica crisis, Jerrica’s relied on her holographic alter ego more and more. Aja and Kimber discover that not only is Jem dating Riot, but Jerrica’s treating her as another personality. An identity which began as a cover for stage fright may be taking over Jerrica’s entire life. Jerrica’s often been the glue which held the team together, but in reality that could have been Shana. Now where are they?
Image by IDW Publishing
This issue is an embodiment of the sort of storytelling which has allowed the series to thrive. Thompson’s cast seems to expand by the issue, but she juggles all of the personalities and character arcs extreme skill. Each action has a reaction and every character is connected to the other. It’s how all proper fiction should work, but often in comics, many writers seem to forget this. Readers tune in for another episode of the serialized story and the characters they like.
Image by IDW Publishing
Fox in particular is evolving into a worthy antagonist. Although in theory she’s working for Pizzazz, in practice she seems to have her own agenda. Fox continues to drive a wedge between the sisters as well as getting closer to discovering the Holograms’ secret than even Techrat did. It may be difficult if not impossible to top Silica in terms of scale, but Fox is dangerous due to her sheer proximity. Jerrica’s personality crisis is also easy fodder for drama, as it often was in the cartoon.
Jem and the Holograms Is a Comic Like No Other!
Meredith McClaren continues to be one of the most series’ most unique artists. The series’ art style was defined by Sophie Campbell and most of the subsequent artists more or less played in that sandbox. McClaren’s style is all her own, although she certainly has maintained the series’ outrageous fashion sense! McClaren does take some getting used to for some readers, but she excels at showing emotion and fantastic elements. Her Jem transformation sequence is also nice.
Image by IDW Publishing
As a final aside, this issue features the appearance of an official tabloid within the Jem and the Holograms universe. It’s called “National Pry,” and they seem to enjoy combining the names of musical personalities who are dating, as a nod to “shippers.” Apparently, Kimber and Stormer are “Stimber” and now Riot and Jem are “Rem.” It’s a cute nod to another reality of the musical industry as well as the fans who love the comic on a monthly basis.
Image by IDW Publishing
Next: Check out the riot from the last Issue of Jem!
As much praise as Mark Waid’s run on Archie is getting, one could consider Thompson’s Jem and the Holograms a precursor to that style. It isn’t easy juggling a serialized teen soap involving pop music and sci-fi elements, but this comic makes it look so. Things should get interesting whenever Rio returns to the series, and how the Misfits will transition to their own spin-off. All in all, another solid issue of one of IDW Publishing’s best monthly series!