Jem and the Holograms. 1, Showtime

So when I heard there was going to be a live actionJem and the Holograms movie, I went through something similar as I did when I found out there was going to be a Transformers live action film: Go look up the original 80's cartoon. Binged through all three seasons of the cartoon & adored it. Saw the movie, and while there were adaption issues - I rather enjoyed the heck out of that, too. So might as well continue the Jem Love and pick up the new IDW Comic series. :D

Overall? I enjoyed it. The comic is very bright & upbeat. The humor is forefront, the relationships are adorable all around whether romantic or sisterly, and the artwork is amazing.

Sophie Campbell's art is clean with brilliant colors that pop even more with the heavy inking. Her facial expressions are wonderfully expressive & it really brings all the characters to life. If I had any issue with the art design, it'd probably be Jem's costumes. Her skin-tight, plastic looking outfits resemble a completely different fashion style from everyone else in the comics, and it almost makes her stand out in an awkward way. It's like she's Sci-Fi in a group of rockers. The designs by themselves look fine, but it's only when mixed with everyone else that it feels like a mix-match. But that's a pretty minor complaint all around, because the artwork really is stunning - especially in the music numbers, where panels stop existing and art takes over the pages.

The writing is good, mostly shining in the dialogue. The pacing was fine, and the first story focuses on the band coming into being, meeting Synergy and having their first battle with the Misfits. It's a set-up storyline, so I don't have too much to say on it. Rio & Jerrica's date to the Carnival was probably my favorite mini-arc out of the six issues (they are adorable, and I love how their relationship is progressing), and I like how we're starting out with Rio adoring Jerrica & disliking Jem. Fun times. The Misfits & The Holograms were also great. Each girl stands out on their own with a few great moments, and it's hard not to love everyone (including new character, Blaze - who seems like a nice, level-headed cutie in this mix of extreme personalities).

Pizzaz in particular, was the greatest thing about this comic, though. She's loud, emotional, expressive and her screaming made me happy. She's so wonderfully frustrated and full of anger. :D

I'm a little upset though that Raya was nowhere to be seen when Jetta is already a misfit (and why wasn't Jetta playing Sax!?). Jetta & Raya were introduced together as new band members in the second season, so it's a little weird seeing the one without her Holograms counterpart. I liked Jetta in the cartoon, but I adored Raya. Her absence is missed and I hope she makes an appearance soon.

Overall, though? I enjoyed it. I probably won't be hunting down the individual issues as they come out, but I'll likely be picking up the next collected edition when it comes out.