Based on the trailer, the Jem and the Holograms movie looks incredibly disappointing. It’s ok. You don’t need it. Read the excellent new Jem comic book instead.
Seriously: It’s really good. Written by Kelly Thompson and illustrated by Sophie Campbell, the IDW comic book series resurrects Jem with all the flash, style, spectacular hair and female empowerment you remember, but with several modern twists that actually improve on the classic ’80s cartoon. First off, it’s quite simply one of the most beautiful comics on the shelves right now; check out this preview if you don’t believe me. It’s written sharply and believably—not always easy in a story about holographic superstars—by Thompson, in a way that will both resonate with old fans and welcome new ones.
Also, fans who have long speculated about a romantic relationship between Stormer and Kimber will be pleased to hear that this subtext has become text in the comic, which features several LGBT characters. It’s a comic of gorgeous diversity, not only in terms of race and sexuality, but also body type: the character designs by Campbell depict the both Holograms and Misfits as individuals with a wide array of heights and shapes, rather than the interchangeable Barbie-esque female silhouettes so common in mainstream comics.
If you want to check it out, you can either pick them the issues at your local comic book shop, or buy digital copies online at ComiXology, and forget that you ever saw that truly, truly unfortunate trailer where Jerrica became Jem because a record company told her to act glam, and there were absolutely no holograms.
