Comic book reviews Iron Man #1, Iron Man #2, and Iron Man #3 by Kieron Gillen and Greg Land
Average rating: 2/5 stars

Iron Man #1 by Kieron Gillen
Art: Greg Land

Jesus, do I hate Land’s art. It’s still horrible. Even after he had his realization that he wasn’t going to be a perfectionist and move away from his tracing photo realism.

Holy fuck, stop using that stupid Jessica Biel photo to draw every woman!! I kind of even don’t care what Gillen’s writing as it’s so distracting to see this woman draw like every other woman by Land ever and in the same pose. Her hair and her face tilt are always the same direction. Seriously, go to some figure drawing classes, Land.

Sad to see that Gillen starts off the plot with Maya Hansen’s dead so someone can steal the Extremis project. And then Tony goes off to save the day. Yep.

The beard jokes about Tony being undercover would’ve been funnier if I hadn’t dealt with people freaking out about shaving by an industry famous coworker.

Though as always, Pepper makes me laugh.

Iron Man #2 by Kieron Gillen
Art: Greg Land

Yep, still completely hating Land’s art. I can’t tell who the mystery woman is supposed to be.

I found Tony’s take down of Meredith (Merlin) felt like he just wasn’t destroying her tech, but destroying who she was. And frankly, for a male character to call a female character, who’s supposed to be rather brilliant — may not as brilliant as Tony, but still extremely smart — an idiot and destroy her system comes across as yet another man taking down a woman that he’s threatened by.

Even if this Arthur did call the fight.

Pepper calling out Tony about wearing shades at night, while wearing some herself, was pretty funny.

Iron Man #3 by Kieron Gillen
Art: Greg Land

Beyond the Land art, this book continues to disappoint me. I think I just don’t like Gillen’s take on Tony Stark. He’s too much of a rich, douchey geek.

The entire grilled cheese thing make me roll my eyes way too much. I think Tony’s supposed to have better tastes than that.

Juliana’s story wasn’t quite as effective for me. And I think it just added to the Women in Refrigerators motivations that Tony’s already having due to Maya’s death.

Try the new Iron Man comic for yourself, buy Iron Man Vol. 1: Believe.

Comic book reviews for Punisher #13, Punisher #14, Punisher #15, and Punisher #16 by Greg Rucka, Mico Suayan, and Marco Checchetto
Average rating: 4/5 stars

Punisher #13 by Greg Rucka
Art: Mico Suayan

Oh, yeah, some undercover work on a yacht. No one expects the Punisher when he brings an even more deadly date.

I did feel that issue was a tiny bit of filler as they hunt down the Exchange. Like the weapons dealing didn’t exactly fit into any larger plot and seemed to be kind of unimportant. Except whatever Doc Oc weapon they were highlighting.

Rachel’s definitely taking no prisoners as they hunt Stephanie. She stabbed Deano in the artery without even flinching.

Punisher #14 by Greg Rucka
Art: Mico Suayan

Rachel killing Stephanie is definitely pushing her forward into becoming the Punisher. However, I’m wondering how she’s going to react now that she’s accomplished at least part of her mission.

I am wondering about Christian and Stephanie’s relationship and how that’s going to reflect into the book. Is Christian going to go after Rachel with the same type of revenge scheme?

Pretty powerful to have Rachel repeat the Punisher’s words about her dying on her wedding day.

I’m not a huge fan of Suayan’s art. It doesn’t move me either way. It displays the story and not much else. Not horrible. But not awesome.

Punisher #15 by Greg Rucka
Art: Marco Checchetto

Dang. This is a bloody issue. What a massacre to end Rucka’s run on Punisher. Holy hell.

But in a way, this is the culmination of Rachel’s time becoming like the Punisher. Sure, neither of them expected Christian to go off the deep end and try to kill everyone and everything and frame them. No doubt, the cops will eventually figure out that it wasn’t the Punisher going on a rampage. Especially given that there were at least a few survivors.

Though Bolt was not one of them. And Rachel has found herself unlike the Punisher.

Punisher #16 by Greg Rucka
Art: Marco Checchetto

Wow, this issue. Just wow.

It makes perfect sense that Rachel would want to have Frank or the police kill her after she shot and killed Bolt. That she’d want death over anything else. I loved Frank saying that no one should be like him.

I’m glad that she didn’t die. That Frank took out the sharpshooters, that Oscar arrested her, and that Norah felt all the pieces hit her life too.

What a fantastic run. (And curious about how Punisher: War Zone will go.)

Follow Rachel’s evolution as a Punisher, buy The Punisher Vol. 3.

Comic book reviews for FF #1, FF #2, and FF #3 by Matt Fraction and Michael Allred
Average rating: 4.3/5 stars

FF #1 by Matt Fraction
Art: Michael Allred

Interesting premise to start the book. I had no idea that Scott Lang had been brought back from the dead or that they killed off Cassie. (I do not approve of killing Cassie.)

I’m so happy that She-Hulk’s in a book again. And while it makes me sad that they don’t think she can carry a title on her own, I hope that Fraction and Allred draw enough people in and others find the She-Hulk love.

Medusa was an interesting choice for this book too. Seems like she’d be too busy to take on the responsibility. (Even if it’s just for FOUR minutes, yeah, right.) I’d more expect Crystal.

I do totally dig that this team is made of three women and only one man. I also like that Fraction is re-using his favorite interview type style. But I thought it was fun that it was done backwards.

I hope that the kid characters work well into the story instead of being annoying, considering they’re whom the Future Foundation was built for.

FF #2 by Matt Fraction
Art: Michael Allred

I’m glad that Fraction remembers She-Hulk’s love of fashion. Indeed, it’s probably extra hard to find a Stella McCartney in her size.

This title is pretty cute. I love that Medusa is a bit lost in her morning routine in the Future Foundation building. You’d think they would’ve build some stuff to help her out. There are, after all, a lot of people and machinery there.

Speaking of machinery, the machine that goes “boop boop” cracks me up. And that no one knows what it does. Not even Scott.

The Mole Man is ridiculous. She-Hulk should be able to take out him and his creatures without help. I have a hard time believing that the three of them would have such issues.

I don’t blame Darla for walking out. Though the Thing suit’s great.

FF #3 by Matt Fraction
Art: Michael Allred

I’m completely loving this title. I’ve been waiting a while for a book that’s a funny one and fun. I can see both Fraction and Allred just having a blast with FF.

I laughed so much at them bringing in Wyatt Wingfoot to tell if Johnny Storm is really Johnny Storm. (He’s pretty cracked if he is.) I love She-Hulk vouching for her ex-boyfriend and his honesty. Because it’s Wyatt, the ultimate boy scout. It’s clear that while others may try to bring back Silverage nostalgia, there’s 80s love here.

I’m not sure what I think about the Moloids bringing in the Mole Man for a rallying point for the FF. But kids will be kids. Or Moloids.

The whole thing with the Yancy Street Gang cracked me up. Even if it meant that Darla ran around in her towel the whole time. Though I totally appreciated that while I expected her to go out the door and find a bunch of paparazzi, that instead it was New Year’s. And of course, Scott didn’t kiss her. He has lots of anti-moves like that.

Medusa seems a tad underused.

Comic book reviews for Fatale #4, Fatale #5, and Fatale #6 by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips
Average rating: 2.3/5 stars

Fatale #4 by Ed Brubaker
Art: Sean Phillips

I’m not a big fan of Walter Booker. Meaning that I don’t care if he lives or dies. Or his reasons why he’s going to sell out Jo or not sell her out. I’m not in anyway identifying with his dilemma.

I still want to know more about Jo. But I want to know it from her point-of-view, not the eyes of others. Specifically the eyes of the men who would either love her or kill her. She’s obviously pretty desperate to come to Walt for protection; but we still don’t really know why.

Hank has it pretty bad in all angles. It is interesting that he seemed to forgot his wife’s brutal murder when he thinks about Jo.

Fatale #5 by Ed Brubaker
Art: Sean Phillips

Totally grossed out. Why is it that so many texts have babies cut out of women’s wombs for evil? Like how is this even a thing? And what’s up with the frequency of adding this to the mystical pregnancy trope?

A shadowy Satanic cult lead by a random guy who’s really a monster who Walter cuts his eyes out before dying. Plus, Hank’s role and only focus being on saving the girl. And Jo being basically helpless — except that she makes some kind of mystical and psychic connection to her lovers — and Hank having no idea that his child is there. Yeah, this is all way too much for me.

Fatale #6 by Ed Brubaker
Art: Sean Phillips

I’m hoping that the ending of Nicholas’ story, and it’s unfruitful ventures will help move the story into Jo’s territory.

Jo hiding away from everything is probably the first real choice that she’s made in this book. And I wish it wasn’t all about keeping away from everyone and doing nothing with her life. I’m interested in more about what Jo thinks of her powers.

I’m interested to see what will happen, and I’m hoping that Brubaker will give Jo more of a voice in her own tale instead of just playing the archetype.

Reviews for Womanthology Space #1, Womanthology Space #2, and Womanthology Space #3 by Stacie Ponder, Alicia Fernandez, Carli Idhe, Jean Kang, Jessica Hickman, Leigh Dragoon, Maarta Laiho, Ming Doyle, Sophia Foster-Dimino, Stephanie Hans, Tanja Wooten, Alison Ross, Blair Butler, Bonnie Burton, Devin Grayson, Ellise Heiskell, Jennifer DeGuzman, Joelle Sellner, Rachel Edidin, Robin Furth, Sandy King Carpenter, and Trina Robbins
Average rating: 3.5/5 stars

Womanthology Space #1

“Waiting for Mr. Roboto” by Bonnie Burton
Art: Jessica Hickman

Hickman’s art was definitely the highlight of this story. Otherwise, the tale felt pretty blah. I didn’t really connect with Trixie and her longing for a boyfriend. That S.I.D. turned out to be a robot too, after Trixie delcared herself not robotsexual, was only kind of cute. Mostly, the story felt too long. It could’ve been a lot shorter.

“Dead Again” by Sandy King Carpenter
Art: Tanja Wooten

Wooten’s art was best when showing Miranda Cassidy and the explosions. There were some great use of color to show the contrast of space against everything else. Though I did keep wondering if the main guy was actually John Constantine and Jesse Custer’s love child.

The story itself was a nice twist on the ghost story. I liked that Miranda actually wanted to be laid to rest.

“Scaling Heaven” by Alison Ross
Art: Stephanie Hans

Love this. I adored this story so much. For me, the love of space, space exploration, and the unity of a people behind going to space is what gets me most excited about space stories. Just exploring space because.

This space race between Japan and the US is awesome. Especially that it’s about getting women and humanity back on the moon.

Hans’ art is beautiful. Just gorgeous.

I loved that it ended showing one of them on the moon. You don’t know who, but that’s not important. What’s important is being back on the moon. <3s.

“The Adventures of Princess Plutonia” by Ming Doyle

While I appreciate Doyle’s attempt to turn the ’60s space alien princess trope on its head, it just didn’t do anything for me. I didn’t care that Plutonia saved her love, Max Dunn, or that she defeated Mallika. It seemed just as shallow as the tropes being gender swaped.

“Space Girls” by Stacie Ponder

This is super adorable. Captain and her crew are adorable. I loved her lecturing Chambers about no fraternization before some kissing action.

When Williams says, “Holy Crapping crap!”, it’s just like something someone would say when you think it’s a moon, but is a cat!

Space cat with lasers was just amazing. Didn’t see that happening. Funny and cute and everything I wanted to read about. I definitely want to read more about the Space Girls.

Womanthology Space #2

“Yanka” by Blair Butler
Art: Alicia Fernandez

I think I liked the idea of this story a lot more than the actual execution. I love the tribute to the first woman who ever made it into space. The layers of why the Soviets picked her for the mission.

Fernandez’s art really brought forward the entire feeling of the story. From the simple beauty to the hard work to the anti-climax of when Valentina Tereshkova returned to Earth.

“The Agency” by Joelle Sellner
Art: Jean Kang

This was my least favorite story in the book. It just didn’t do anything for me.

Sure at the end of the day, Chloe did actually chop of Haller’s head, her horrible boss. However, I’m not sure that gives her anymore characterization than baseline annoyed worker. Like I’m seeing George from Dead Like Me and Claire from Six Feet Under and their love of corporate jobs.

Perhaps just too much plot for the few pages.

“All Cats are Quantum” by Ellise Heiskell
Art: Maarta Laiho

I really wanted to love this tale. I love cats, and what’s better than cats in space? Right.

My favorite part — besides the cats themselves — was Laiho’s art. The cats were great, and they were playful and had all sorts of spice.

Perhaps Heiskell was also trying to tell too much of a story in a short time. I do love that the aliens weren’t automatically evil. I also like when they come to meet other creatures and that they just don’t care about the humans. Loved seeing them buying cat souvenirs.

But I feel that the story should’ve been more contained to the shop and the main character launching herself into the future.

“How-to” by Devin Grayson

I greatly appreciate that there’s a piece in here about inspiring other women to write comics. It was pretty cute too.

Womanthology Space #3

“Centipede” by Robin Furth
Art: Carli Idhe

This story was okay. Kind of gross. Bugs in space creep me out, and everything always reminds me of that scene in Aliens or the ear bugs in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. I still have to turn my head away for that scene, even though the latter is one of my all-time favorite movies.

Overall, it seemed like too many stories being told in a small space. I did feel bad for the Captain at the end of the story, but not the rest of the characters. She at least seemed upset to be blowing up her ship.

“Countdown” by Rachel Edidin
Art: Sophia Foster-Dimino

I love this story from the beginning until the end. Foster-Dimino’s art matched up perfectly to Edidin’s story and the tone worked fabulous.

I love how they build their spaceship. Rabbit hutches! And that when they leave their cat behind, they tell it not to chase shoelaces. Too cute.

Whether or not they actually went to space, I believe that they did.

“The Vesta” by Jennifer DeGuzman
Art: Leigh Dragoon

I adored the tale of Shriya Singh and how her ship, Vesta, keeps her safe. Keeps everyone safe. Perhaps too safe. I loved this idea of ships that just go where they think is best and take and care for people along the way. This type of exploration peaks my interest. And DeGuzman’s twist on it is just perfect. Shirya wants something different, something to happen in her life and that’s why she’s in space.

“Lily Renee: She Fought Nazis with Pen and Ink” by Trina Robbins

I feel like I can’t really rate this piece. I do love Robbins’ herstorian work, and how she uncovered Lily Renee. Both Renee and Robbins are comic treasures.

Comic book reviews for Birds of Prey #0, Birds of Prey #13, and Birds of Prey #14 by Duane Swierczynski and Romano Molenaar
Average rating: 3.3/5 stars

Birds of Prey #0 by Duane Swierczynski
Art: Romano Molenaar

I’m really enjoying these #0 issues. They’re all doing a really great job at bringing forward character motivation, and this is some great insight into who Black Canary is. Super interesting that Cobblepot “gave” her the name; though I hope later that we find out that it was from her mother. Way better than the creepy Penguin.

Interesting that Ev is some part of a conspiracy against Black Canary, whose husband is being kept by Amanda Waller. (Not sure what to think about this new Waller. I have to agree with those who aren’t pleased that they’ve made her younger and thinner.)

I like how automatically trusting Batgirl was. It’s definitely part of her personality to trust people more than Dinah or Ev. Kind of funny that they were on the same mission.

I’m really interested to see how Swierczynski works these plot threads into his larger story.

Birds of Prey #13 by Duane Swierczynski
Art: Romano Molenaar

After 13 issues, I think I’ve finally figured out what I don’t like about this title; Swierczynski just doesn’t get who Dinah is. Every time he’s writing the other characters and telling their stories, I’m onboard with the title. Then he goes back to Dinah, and I’m just not into it. (Except with #0.)

Since this is Katana’s story, I’m intrigued. She obviously used to lead the Dagger Clan or something. If her husband’s soul is in her sword, I’m a bit surprised that she hasn’t tried to resurrect him. I’m kind of hoping that the plot’s more messed up. Like that the leader is her husband, but without his soul (as it’s in the sword) or something like that.

Ev and the tips from her uncle were perfect. Ev’s definitely the most intriguing character in this story.

I don’t know how I feel about Batman stepping into rescue all of them after Poison Ivy poisoned them. Of course, if I was going to call someone about poison to save me, it would probably be Batman.

Molenaar’s art is super hit or miss for me. Either I really like it or I hate it. He does need to learn just where women’s boobs are located on their chests. They are consistently way too high in his drawings. My tits aren’t on my collarbone, sir.

Birds of Prey #14 by Duane Swierczynski
Art: Romano Molenaar

This issue is just boring as heck. I’m not sure how the plot’s advanced in anyway. And I’m not sure what the Condor’s bringing to the layers of the story or why Black Canary would trust him enough to turn her back on him.

There’s too much cloak and dagger with Katana’s story.

All the team elements are just really dead in Swierczynski’s storytelling.

Join them on their journey, buy Birds of Prey Vol. 3: A Clash of Daggers.

Comic book reviews for Wonder Woman #7, Wonder Woman #8, and Wonder Woman #9 by Brian Azzarello, Cliff Chiang, and Tony Akins
Average rating: 2.6/5 stars

Wonder Woman #7 by Brian Azzarello
Art: Cliff Chiang

This is still quite the unsettled tale for me. I have to agree with Eros that in so many ways Diana diving deep into the inner politics of the Greek gods seems out of her nature. And only something to come along since Azzarello set up the construct of Zeus being her father.

I did like Eros and his use of guns. And the lovelorn now upset that the love spell worked.

I can’t say that I appreciated the story about the Amazon’s boy children. Ugh. I feel like it’s basically against everything that William Molton Marston set up the Amazons to be about. I did like that Wonder Woman and Lennox would want to free them. And them wanting to stay with Hephaestus was an interesting turn. Not super surprising though.

I do like what Hephaestus said about Wonder Woman making people tell the truth. However, again, that does go directly against the myth of Wonder Woman. I guess I’m just a little tired of people thinking the way to “fix” Wonder Woman is to rewrite her story. I still find it interesting that perhaps the most commercially successful Wonder Woman property was the TV show, which followed those original stories.

Wonder Woman #8 by Brian Azzarello
Art: Cliff Chiang

I would’ve liked this issue a lot more, except there was that ending. So problematic that Wonder Woman’s been captured to be Hades’ bride. Like I thought the Zeus as father plot was bottom barrel, but this is even worse. I’m hoping this is just something that we’ll see Wonder Woman get out of in the next issue.

Otherwise, I really enjoyed their battle down to hell. Hermes is probably one of my favorite characters in this book. Him being able to kick some ass was pretty enjoyable.

The statues becoming skeletons with muscles was pretty gross. Interesting that in this mythology the dead are just other matter and are able to be anything. (Of course, it doesn’t look like they have a choice in what they want to be or what they can be turned in. Hades seems to be in charge of those decisions.)

I’m pretty glad that Zola’s pregnancy was sped up. This could’ve been quite the long tale. (And I’m so predicting right now that the child is going to be the one to fix the power vacuum. That it’s going to be Zeus reincarnating himself.)

Chiang’s art remains pretty rad, and it definitely brings up the quality of this book.

Wonder Woman #9 by Brian Azzarello
Art: Tony Akins

This plot is just making me vomit. The level of misogyny due to lack of agency of female problems is disgusting. The idea that Diana would submit to being married to Hades, even to save other women, is just not ringing so true with me. Or let herself be killed or hung by her own rope. And Persephone’s fate just adds to the gross.

Join Wonder Woman on her continuing adventures, buy Wonder Woman Vol. 2: Guts (The New 52)

Comic book reviews for Captain Marvel #4, Captain Marvel #5, and Captain Marvel #6 by Kelly Sue DeConnick, Dexter Soy, Emma Rios, and Al Barrionuevo
Average rating: 5/5 stars

Captain Marvel #4 by Kelly Sue DeConnick
Art: Dexter Soy and Al Barrionuevo

Continuing to love Carol spending time with the Banshees and helping them fight against the Kree technology. Even more interesting that they are stuck in Peru. And that the Japanese fighter pilots know nothing about what’s happening either. Interesting how quickly everyone picks up this technology.

I adore Carol’s conversation with Jerri. Yay for female friendships. They’re pretty awesome together. I love this level of mentorship in the book.

More time travel! This time Carol’s going to meet Helen to unravel the mystery. So much fun.

Captain Marvel #5 by Kelly Sue DeConnick
Art: Emma Rios

I love Rios being on this title. Makes me so happy with joy. I love how she draws Helen. There’s a major fierceness in her style that brings to life the character so much.

Though I do hope that Rios starts to sort out what’s going on with Carol’s hair. Definitely the book’s biggest mystery of all.

I love Helen bringing out her brass knuckles to break into Howard’s place. And it doesn’t surprise me that Carol had to use her powers before she was able to build more trust with Helen. Her super fast flying certainly caused some concern.

I love how much this story is about women who are told no and then rebel. Though the time travel is getting a little wonky.

Captain Marvel #6 by Kelly Sue DeConnick
Art: Emma Rios

Jessica Drew having to check in on Tracy is perfect. I love how much they dislike each other, but how much they both respect and love Carol.

Now this is how you tell a story. I love that Helen set everything up when she was older to have the chance of getting Carol’s powers. It doesn’t surprise me that Helen would be so brash in order to try to steal the powers.

As much as Carol verse Carol got old in other books, it spoke a lot to Carol’s character and her determination to live, be a superhero, and get back to her responsibilities that she’d win the race. Pretty damned amazing. And of course, she made it to Tracy’s surgery.

Enjoy some time travel with Carol yourself, buy Captain Marvel Vol. 1: In Pursuit of Flight.

Comic book reviews for Angel & Faith #16, Angel & Faith #17, and Angel & Faith #18 by Christos Gage and Rebekah Isaacs
Average rating: 3.3/5 stars

Angel & Faith #16 by Christos Gage
Art: Rebekah Isaacs

I love this book so much. I was so worried they do something dumb and resurrect Giles, but it looks like someone else beat them to it. Much better for Angel and Faith in the long run.

I was also worried that the side-plot with the Slayers was just going to be filler. So I’m glad to see that it wasn’t.

Of course, the aunts aren’t going to tell Angel or Faith what happened while they were away. That’s what makes them extra awesome characters. You know, for a book.

Angel & Faith #17 by Christos Gage
Art: Rebekah Isaacs

Seriously, not only is Ethan dead, but we have an Eyghon plot? Color me bored.

You know, Giles lived a long time. I appreciate the story of his aunts because it’s new; it’s something we didn’t know about him before. But we knew about Eyghon. We knew about Randall dying way back in the day and why Giles went to rejoin the Watchers’ Council. Tell me something that I don’t know already.

Plus, zombies are just plain boring.

Angel & Faith #18 by Christos Gage
Art: Rebekah Isaacs

Yep, this Eyghon plot just isn’t my cuppa. And Angel pulling out all these random “I knew I was going to have to fight Eyghon for Giles’ soul” faqs is just silly making. Plus, it makes it seem like the writer has less of a plan than Angel.

I do like that Nadira will have to fight alongside of Angel and Faith, instead of against them. This will probably turn down her blood vengeance a little bit.

The flashbacks to Giles’ life continue to annoy me because we’re not learning anything new about him. Though I’m betting that whatever his grandma tells him will be the fix to the current Eyghon problem. Too bad Grandma Giles didn’t take after her daughters and their love of staying young.

I’m never happy when Spike shows up.

GoGirl! by Trina Robbins
Art: Anne Timmons

GoGirl! is beyond adorable. The story centers around Lindsay, who becomes the teenage superhero GoGirl, and her mother, Janet Goldman, who once was the superhero Go-Go Girl. Janet is pretty much the typical mother who loves her daughter, and she’s worried about her growing up. Of course, Lindsay has inherited her mother’s powers.

Lindsay becomes GoGirl to save her best friend Haseena from kidnappers, and she has no secret identity. I love the fact that Janet finds out immediately that her daughter’s been hiding superpowers and now using them.

Robbins’ strongest writing point is her portrayal of the mother-daughter relationship. Janet both is the overprotective parent and the mom who wants her daughter to grow into a strong, independent woman. While she doesn’t want Lindsay to be a superhero — mostly in that it’s a dangerous profession — she does work to train her daughter and supports her.

When Lindsay saves Haseena in the first story, the girls and Janet work together. They trust and care about each other. None of them, superpowered or otherwise, are willing to leave the other in danger.

In the second story, Robbins crafts a classic tale for both teenage-dom and superhero tropes: what happens if Lindsay was never born. Feeling neglected on her birthday, Lindsay flies off to save some people and also try to find her friends.

(Sidenote: I love that the reader sees Janet as caring about her daughter in that she insists she wears a coat, which Lindsay doesn’t want to wear as it doesn’t go with her superhero outfit. Timmons does a great job at drawing Lindsay’s costume. And giving her a jacket, which doesn’t quite fit.)

In pondering what life would be like without her in the world, Lindsay finds exactly what would happen. Including her mother who’s not as happy and her friend Haseena has no one to save her. And probably misses her best friend. Of course, in classic teenage tropes, when Lindsay gets back to her own world, her mother and all her friends are actually throwing her a surprise birthday party!

“The Teacher From Hell” feels very Buffy the Vampire Slayer inspired. In the high school is hell metaphor, Lindsay’s superpowers and her training start interfering with her school work. Or at least being on time to class. While Lindsay’s working with Janet to better her fighting skills, she’s getting a hard time from her substitute teacher. Who turns out to be a demon. Janet, like most moms, thinks her daughter’s overreacting. Only to figure out later that maybe she needs to save her daughter. Janet dons her old costume to join the fight. But, of course, her training of Lindsay has paid off in that she’s defeated the demon teacher.

I was really excited for “Summer Fun, Som’re Not” to learn more about Janet’s days as Go-Go Girl. However, instead of being completely delighted with the story, I walked away with some disappointment. I’d hoped for a good story about Liz (Right-On Sister) and Janet’s friendship having a parallel to Haseena and Lindsay. But nope.

Instead, the story was a little weird. Hoss, the farm hand, seems like he just can’t do his job and is mentally troubled. That he turns out to be an alien seems just out-of-the-blue. But worse, Janet complains that she’s fat — when she’s clearly not — when she can’t fit into her pants. Then she thinks she can’t fly due to extra weight. (I doubt she gained 10 pounds while eating pies at Liz’s.) At least, Robbins promotes exercise as the way to lose weight instead of dieting. But still disappointed to have talks to weight in a comic book aimed at teenagers.

“Out of the Woodwork” was a nice story in that it dealt with being jealous of other girls’ successes, but had a good lesson at the end. In that they all had to work together. Even if the other girls faked their superhero powers and Chatty Catty kidnaps them because of the lie.

Otherwise, this seemed a bit like a straight-forward superhero saving people story.

Ugh. “Blast from the Past” was probably the worst. There was a lot of horrible commentary on weight, looks, age, and dress. I felt really uncomfortable to have Janet slut-shamming another woman over her outfit. Yes, I appreciate Robbins and Timmons taking time to make sure that Lindsay’s and Janet’s costumes are appropriate and that Timmons always draws women like they are real women. However, this kind of “slut” critic is not a critic and completely inappropriate for a teenage-aimed book.

The final short story, I did enjoy. I loved that Lindsay reaches out to Marnie. It’s short, but very powerful.

Overall, GoGirl! is an amazing comic book and almost the perfect superhero story for the average teenager. There were just two strays from the message, which really made me rate it 4/5 instead of 5/5.

Meet Lindsay and Janet yourself, buy GoGirl! Vol. 1.