IDW Publishing 2017
Written by Kelly Thompson & Sophie Campbell
Illustrated by Jenn St-Onge
Coloured by M. Victoria Robado
Lettered by Shawn Lee
Before Blaze was a Misfit she was their biggest fan, but now that she IS a Misfit it's not quite what she expected and may be more than she bargained for.
Well as the girls continue to bring us the story of these girls i’m more and more impressed and gosh darnit I really don’t want to like Pizazz so much but you can’t help it! The characterisation is utterly spectacular, surprising and both in and out of what we think it should be depending on the person. There are moments that show us exactly who we think they are that are balanced out by seeing a different side of them that makes them more complex and interesting and dare I say likeable!
So this issue focuses on Blaze and her relationship with the band as well as shows us there’s more to this young woman than meets the eye. So far we’ve seen she’s been one of those hyper loyal fans that bought into the Misfits image and was willing to do pretty much anything to belong. Well the girls have decided to show us that side as well as a different one that softens how we feel about her as well as shows us her commitment and dedication to music that she’s had for many years.
While i’m all for this showing us another side to the characters there are some that we simply love to hate and in this case it really is the Misfits or more specifically Pizazz. So while i’ll never say stop this ever growing and evolving characterisation of her let’s let her be rip roaring mean too because let’s face it she’s a bitch and will always end up being one regardless. Unless the girls are setting us reader’s up for something huge to come in that continue onward.
While the all-ages interior artwork wasn’t something I liked about this it has grown on me greatly. I mean yes it’s great for girls, and boys, of all ages to see that you be who you are regardless of what that is. The not coming across Barbie or slutty has it’s advantages for sure and the way page layouts are utilised through the angles and perspective are wonderful to see. I’ll also say the use of backgrounds and the singing is also worked into the pages extremely well and make for some stellar moments.
I love that this series let’s the characters be mean and yet tempered at the same time. Yeah there’s always more than one version of the truth and depending on who you are is what you see. So that there’s a positivity to seeing how you can be yourself without fear of reproach well that’s a powerful thing.
Second chances and a new album in the making, could The Misfits be on the right track to a comeback? Time will tell but in the meantime i’m here and not going anywhere.