Kelly Thompson

Originally published as Jem and the Holograms issues #11-16.

Dark Jem

Jem and the Holograms Volume 3

Sarah Sammis

Jem and the Holograms, Volume 3: Dark Jem by Kelly Thompson is the next installment of the reimagined Jem and the Holograms series as a comic. The fall out continues from Pizzazz's accident and something is amiss with Synergy's code. 

http://pussreboots.com/blog/2017/comm...

Maggie Gordon

I was worried about the Jem series. Volume 1 was a fantastic introduction, screaming with vibrancy and outrageousness. Volume 2 was… lackluster at best. The plot stumbled, and the entire book was drab and uninspired. Given how much potential I thought the series had, I read volume 3 with trepidation. However, my fears were unfounded. Jem is back, with all the silliness, neon colours, and crazy hair you could want!

 

Jem and the Holograms Volume 3 covers the Dark Jem saga. A corruption in Synergy’s code has grown into its own sentient entity and it’s turned the Holograms into an evil band that will spread Silica’s will across the world with sound waves that enthral and brainwash. Sound ridiculous? Yep! But this is Jem we’re talking about. Outrageous, weird and silly is what you signed up for when you picked up the book!



The art style in volume 3 is back to normal, and the evil designs are a delight to look at. The book makes good use of musical splash pages, and the characters look dynamic and vital. It’s a pleasure for the eyes.



Plot wise, you have the corrupt Synergy plot, but also some character development for the Misfits. Pizazz is still out of commission, so the band has to cope with the fact that they need a temporary singer for the tour. Blaze ends up being top contender, (view spoiler)[and readers also find out that she is trans. The narrative handles this introduction wonderfully, and it’s nice to see even more diversity in Jem. (hide spoiler)] Another thing I loved about this volume was the friendship between Clash and Blaze. Clash is the ultimate fangirl of the Misfits, so when her best friend gets the gig, it would have been easy to write her as jealous and betrayed. However, while Clash is hurt, she stands by her friend and provides some wonderful support. It’s refreshing to see writers show that women can have feelings without tearing each other down. The core of this book seems to be positive relationships between women, and that’s so heartening in a media landscape where catfights and “I’m not like other girls” is so common. 



All in all, Jem and the Holograms Volume 3 was a delight to read, full of impressive visuals, female friendship, and some truly bizarre and outrageous events on the band’s first musical tour. I highly recommend for those who loved Jem in their youths, and for younger readers today!

Mahasin S Ameen

Volumes 1 and 2 were cute, serviceable, this just left me asking "why"? There were some good parts, Blaze joining the Misfits and her having to tell them that she's trans, The Misfits taking it as no big deal and her feeling welcomed as part of the band. It's the bright spot in the story, and if it weren't for that, this book would get one star.

Jem and the Holograms Volume 3 Dark Jem

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