Archie Comics/ComiXology Originals 2019
Written by Alex de Campi
Illustrated by Devaki Neogi
Coloured by Lee Loughridge
Lettered by Jack Morelli
Josie and the Pussycats are the hottest band in outer space! But with fame and fortune comes turmoil as internal conflicts are threatening to tear the group apart. But that's nothing compared to the alien horrors they're about to encounter as they find themselves adrift in the vastness of space! Even if the Pussycats manage to stick together as a band, will they be able to survive the horrors that await them in the final frontier?
First of all I remember the cartoon version of them in space and now I need to find that season again because well, I am old and I am a geek lol. This, this however is nothing like that aside from the title and I couldn't be any happier about that. Alex is a genius and I don't say this lightly but for me this has all the hallmarks of a typical Pussycat story, it has a space Captain Alan (Captain Hot Stuff), and this whole creepy Alien vibe going on. I mean c'mon now mysteries in space that's nothing for the girls, after all they are crime solving musical group even if they don't know it. So that we add that element of horror to the mix is something I could not in a million years have ever predicted. So yes Alex is a genius.
The way that this is being told is sensational to see. The story & plot development and how we see the release of information is extremely well done. That we see little things in the writing that are nods to the past is cute and unexpected so that's something I love to see. The character development here is wonderfully done and while I like the girls and they have the traits we're used to they also have new, different outlooks on life because of the experiences they've been having. I think Alex has really made this much more than I could've hoped for in terms what they are doing and how long they've been doing it. With the pacing I play we see a lot more coming at us in the forms of twists, turns and revelations. Part of me misses Alex and Alexandria not to mention Sebastian but they were really only from the cartoons if I am not mistaken.
I have never heard of Devaki before now. I will say this I do very much like her work. The linework is strong, clean and she is able to utilise it in creating this attention to detail that I love to see. Also I love the Space Outfits they are are wearing for their concerts, the imagination and creativity in the different species we see. She is able to create work that is enticing, warm, welcoming and interesting. There is emotion behind what we see as well and it's totally in sync with the story. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows a really nice, solid eye for storytelling. That we see backgrounds utilised like we do really enhance the moments and bring us a wonderful sense of size and scope to the book. The colour work is beautifully done as well. Lee is one of the most talented colourists around and he certainly shows us why here. The way that light sources are utilised to create shading and shadows and the various hues and tones within any given colour to do so is phenomenal to see.
This is why I love comics. We get to see something that on the surface is familiar but on the inside is something that is fresh, new and interesting. With some of the finest writing in terms of story and plot alongside the kind of interiors that enhance the words make team-up between ComiXology Originals and Archie Comics one of the MUST HAVE reads for this week and more!