When I first heard that IDW was going to be releasing a Jem and the Holograms comic I wasn’t sure if I should be excited, terrified, or a little bit of both.

Jem was one of my favorite TV shows back in the day and I still remember trying to convince my parents to let me have pink hair (sorry Mom, it may have taken 30 years but you lose 😉 ). While I hoped that this new series would be everything the 8 year old me wanted I was afraid that it would crush any happy childhood memories I had of the show. Plus there’s always the worry over how things that were great in the 80’s will translate to 2015.

When the first issue came out in March I read it expecting it to be meh but hoping against hope that it would be something special. WOW was I surprised! It was SO SO SO much better than I thought it would be. Writer, Kelly Thompson, captured the feel of the original show while giving the characters a modern makeover and somehow none of it seemed forced. Subsequent issues add in favorite bad girls, The Misfits and let us explore more of the Holograms’ and Misfits’ backstories.

We now have enough issues for a collected edition, an annual and have recently learned about the new spin the series will take in the new year. Dark Jem, I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us! Thank you IDW, Thompson, Campbell and the rest of the creative team behind Jem. You’ve given me and all the other Jem Girls a wonderful gift. I guess all that’s left to say is, Showtime Synergy!

Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Sophie Campbell
Format: Graphic Novel
Rating: 5 Jemstar Earrings