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Jem and the Holograms: forget the movie, read the comic!

Okay, I’ll admit it. I’m super-late to comic books. I’m 34 years old, and I just bought my first issue. This is my story.

We begin with the release of the trailer for Universal Pictures’ “Jem and the Holograms” reboot. Oh boy.

I had hope!

I think a lot of us did.

“Holy crap, I remember Jem! Okay, I wasn’t the biggest fan, but it was great! But… what the heck can they do with the show today? The 80’s glam! The music! I mean, how camp can they go? Will it be a comedy? Satirical? As long as it’s done with love, then I guess I’m open-minded…”

And then we saw the trailer.

“…oh.”

See, we all remember the fantastical story of Jerrica Benton, her rock band, and Synergy — her holographic computer — and those sci-fi holographic earrings which projected Jerrica’s truly outrageous persona — Jem.

When it came to the reboot, nobody expected the mundanity of YouTube celebrity and transience of X Factor success. Nobody, it seems, wanted it either.

I don’t want to poop on the movie. Maybe it’ll be great? Maybe it’ll inspire people all over the world to make music and live doing what they love? It just ain’t the camp 80’s-fest I hoped for.

But — look! A light shines through the darkness!

A neon light! With lasers!

Earlier this year, IDW Publishing started a Jem and the Holograms comic book series and — look! — it has colour! It has fun!

The free preview of issue #1 was utterly glorious, and it convinced me to buy an iPad and kick back on the sofa to enjoy the rest of the series.

So, what’s the comic about?

Jem and the Holograms #1: Showtime, part one

The series opens with The Holograms — jerrica, Kimber, Aja and Shana, in their late teens to early twenties — trying to shoot a music video to enter the “Misfits vs!” talent-finding competition.

During the recordings, though, Jerrica’s stage fright keeps getting the best of her. She’s the lead singer, but she doesn’t have the confidence to perform in front of an audience. The rest of the band are eager and ready for the big time, and they’re torn between supporting Jerrica but also resenting being held back.

Jerrica overhears the band arguing about her, and she leaves the studio to go home. There, she plays her guitar and sings to herself, when a storm cuts the power.

Out of the darkness, a holographic woman appears. She introduces herself as Synergy, a creation of Jerrica’s late father. Synergy helps Jerrica to find another of her father’s inventions: earrings with holographic projectors, so Jerrica can project holograms round herself and others wherever she goes.

Jerrica realises she can use the earrings to project a persona and give herself the confidence to perform, and so Jem is born.

Jem and the Holograms #2: Showtime, part two

The Misfits are playing on TV, and talking about the upcoming “Misfits vs!” competition. Pizzazz, their lead singer, is arrogant, and opinions about her on social networks are divided.

Behind the scenes, Pizzazz is angry that none of the video submissions for the competition have been worth her time, even though the lack of competition would make it an easy win for herself. While the band bickers, Rio — a music journalist who’s shadowing the band for an article — gently provokes them.

They spot The Holograms’ submission video, and the incredible number of the votes it’s getting. Stormer — The Misfits’ songwriter and keytarist — even recognises Kimber; Stormer reads her blog.

Back at The Holograms’ home, they’re celebrating their success in the poll — especially Kimber, who has a crush on Stormer and is excited about meeting her if they compete.

The Holograms go to their local community centre to practice and teach kids to play the guitar, and Rio tracks them down. He loved Jerrica’s songwriting for their video, and he asks her out on a date — which she accepts.

Meanwhile, Kimber goes to a vinyl signing for The Misfits, where she asks Stormer out for a coffee — which, also, she accepts.

However, Pizzazz sees them together, and she’s enraged by Stormer meeting the competition.

So… what do I think?

Sophie Campbell‘s art is just gorgeous; bold, colourful and expressive. One of my favourite sequences is Jerrica driving through the rain, getting drenched as she runs up to her house, and sitting in the studio as the storm batters the windows. It sent a chill down my spine.

Kelly Thompson’s writing is absolutely wonderful to read! Let’s compare it to “Life is Strange”, which also shows us the lives of modern young women, but every line drops clunkers and cringes.

Kelly’s writing is light, believable, enjoyable and genuinely funny. When the characters talk about Twitter, it’s believable. When they talk about Iron Man, it isn’t contrived. It’s just flipping lovely.

The characters are so engaging, I need the rest of the series. Jerrica’s anxiety is so believable, and you can’t help but root for her. Kimber’s contrasting extroversion and caring for her sister is heartwarming. Aja is most likely the brains of the operation, and I can’t wait to see more of her in upcoming issues. Shana is the more gentle, reasonable element of the band, who helps to keep everyone together.

On the other end of the scale, the members of The Misfits — with the exception of Stormer — come across as arrogant, success-obsessed, spiteful people. While we’re rooting for Kimber and Stormer, we’re still gleefully anticipating the painful downfall of Pizzazz and her band too.

And speaking of Kimber and Stormer, it was just fantastic to see a character — Kimber — exclaim her same-sex crush so openly, and for her to be so accepted. It’s wonderful to see such a normalisation of LGBT characters and relationships. While Kimber could be a great role model for LGBT kids, I hope her friends and their allyships can be inspirational too.

My recommendation? Get this comic!

“Jem and the Holograms” is out now at your favourite comic book store — and if it isn’t, then you need a new favourite store. It’s also available digitally via ComiXology.

Are you a fan? Let us know in the comments!

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