Taking the plan to the crowd.
Creative Staff:
Story: Marguerite Bennett
Art: Pasquale Qualano
Colors: J. Nanjan
Letterer: Wes Abbott
What They Say:
Without Wonder Woman to save the world, the Wonder Girls join the fray!
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Though I’m still enjoying Bombshells: United I am finding myself in that weird position of not enjoying it as much as I did the previous series. And that has me frustrated as I try to figure out why because Marguerite Bennett is largely doing the same thing here, just focused on the home front this time. And we had some of that before so it’s not surprising. This issue brings back an artist we hadn’t had for a while with Pasquale Qualano and he does a solid job here in bringing it to life, capturing the look of the era and the series and providing for some good layouts, especially with the way the “infection” moment unfolds. That’s also all made better by Nanjan’s color work and some really good use of black backgrounds.
With so much having happened and the Wonder Girls now formed from what remains of Diana’s equipment, the group is embarking on their next mission. And that’s one to essentially wake people up and give them a chance to right their wrongs. It’s a little ill formed in execution and explanation, but essentially we get Clayface playing the role of a dirty bomb and dropping down into a segment of a city in order to permeate people in that neighborhood. Through that the combination of materials that he is now gives them a vision of a dark moment that can be changed now that they understand the weight of it, notably in people being taken from their homes in the neighborhood where they did nothing to stop it. It’s an interesting enough idea but the flow of the idea just doesn’t click, which is what this series has felt like as a whole.
The heart to heart that Donna has with them as they grapple with their reactions and lack of action in protecting their neighbors is nicely done as Donna does her best to sell it with compassion. It’s heartwarming overall and a reminder of the power of a group with compassion and knowledge. There’s some good stuff here with how people realize things and that they want to change now that they get it having seen the other way it could go. Unfortunately, things change quickly here on a different front as the military has arrived on the scene with General Ulysses Armstrong come to do what Basil was supposed to do. It’s an interesting opening shot with the way the sun is framed but I like that we learn that Basil wasn’t the only one to undergo the transformation before and using the name the Mud Pack definitely works for me.
In Summary:
Bombshells is fun with the right kind of inspirational take that we get from the Wonder Girls in how they approach things here. It just doesn’t feel like it’s fully cemented or formed with what they’re doing. This issue marks the end of the opening eight chapter arc so I’m hopeful that things will turn a bit more interesting as time goes on and hopefully we reconnect with more characters from the past series to see where things are there. Qualano’s artwork is pretty solid here with some really good layouts and character designs that fit the series as a whole while keeping to his style as well. It’s a good looking book that’s easy to read and I definitely liked his take on the Wonder Girls that we do get and the giant bird elements as well – and especially that Dawnstar splash page. I’m still not as hyped for the series as I was with the previous one but I can see the glimmers of what will work.
Grade: B
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: DC Comics via ComiXology
Release Date: October 13th, 2017
MSRP: $0.99
