Creative Staff:
Story: Marguerite Bennett
Art: Mirka Andolfo
Colors: J. Nanjan
Letterer: Wes Abbott
What They Say:
It’s the final chapter! In this epilogue, find out the future of our beloved Bombshells…if there is one at all!
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
The DC Comics Bombshells series draws to a close here and it’s one that’s certainly appropriate as it works as an epilogue to recent events. The previous issue felt more like a finale to be sure when it came to the story but it’s definitely welcome that Marguerite Bennett was able to do a decent epilogue like this to close out a few things. It also doesn’t hurt that it’s illustrated by Mirka Andolfo, one of my favorites on this series when it comes to character design work and especially hairstyles. Her work with what J. Nanjan has brought to the table in some great color work to make it all consistent and stand out has been great. This is a team that has worked together well for so many issues and is just firing on all cylinders here to wind things down.
Because it is an epilogue there’s not actually a whole lot going on here in a way. The first half of it is almost a bit frustrating for me as the weak part of a few issues of this run have been the musical component. The songs work well and the idea behind it is solid enough but it doesn’t click for me in comic form (or in novels, to be frank). What we get is a nice little montage sequence showing off various characters as they come off of the combat high and engage in relaxing in the garden and the like. It’s good reunion material for Zee and John with Raven, some sad time for what Kara has lost, and some real snuggling time for Harley and Ivy. They’re small moments but it ties things together well for their various arcs and puts them in a good position going forward.
There is a bit of character material as it progresses and we shift more into interactions and dialogue. The fallout from events has a lot of people taking stock, though the main one to do so is Lois since she lost Andrea in the fight even while sticking to her principles about how to deal with Hugo Strange. There’s a good sadness to this in how it plays out as it deals with both her and Andrea’s story and gives us something for Lois to deal with in the next appearance. Some time is spent talking about Faora in her new prison inside of Swamp Thing and how neither is dead, and that evil is just in stasis waiting to come back, which is a decent way to send things off. Of course, we also get an actual epilogue that reinforces that the next series is Act Two with Lex and Selena talking about what’s happened so far and Waller making it clear the real fight is about to begin with the Bombshells united.
In Summary:
While not the strong ending I would have hoped for it’s a solid enough ending that closes out this particular act for the series. Bombshells has been a blast as I’ve read and wrote about all hundred issues plus the annual as it delivered a lot of fun characters, situations, re-imaginings, and creative approaches to bring it all together into its own little standalone universe. Marguerite Bennett captured something great with this work and brought it to life for about two years alongside a great range of artists and colors to make something memorable and fun – and easily shared without having to know tons of lore or read lots of books (Even if I did want some spinoffs!). I’m hopeful for a big high quality absolute edition or some such someday because this is a fantastic work that really deserves a lot of attention (and an animated film, hint hint).
Grade: B
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: DC Comics via ComiXology
Release Date: June 16th, 2017
MSRP: $0.99