Review: Geek-Girl (Vol 2) #5
With the recent success of the last four issue arc, and the recent trade collection of the crime war, Ruby Kaye is at something of an impasse. The city is safe, she is back in the glasses and back in the public eye following her exploits. What is a girl to do? Start a superhero time of course!
This issue is a great jumping on point, being as it feels like a natural break in, a pause in Ruby’s life. Of course, there are some constants in here. Summer is still the bestie and there is still a plethora of super-powered characters in Maine. One thing is clear, despite her awesomeness, Geek-Girl needs help in defending her city. Throw into this issue at least three different subplots and you have quite a strong platform from which to leap into the next round of adventures.
As always, this issue is written by creator Sam Johnson, though with a little help from Mark Darden channeling Booster and Beetle with the dialogue for Guano Guy and Mr. Marvellous. Jump on points are a difficult pitch to hit. there are two aspects that must be mastered. Firstly, the book needs to explain things or at least demonstrate thing in a way that for those who are are picking up the book for the first time don’t feel lost. Secondly, you need to engage the existing fan base, who been with the book since volume one issue one. As always, when you are the slave of two masters (never as much fun as it sounds), one aspect always seems favoured. In this case, it’s the first element. By setting up a team, Johnson gets to give the new readers the requisite recap, 
admittedly in a variety of ways; the pace of the book feels slightly more subdued than in previous issues. The subplots also pull the focus away from Ruby and Summer meaning that the charm of their interactions, so prevalent in previous issues, is a tad minimised.
The art of the book is provided by Geek-Girl stalwart Carlos Granda. Early issues of Granda’s work felt a little cartoony, whilst obviously based on a super-heroine model of story telling, felt fun. Now, a number of issues in, I had hoped that the elements such as anatomy inconsistencies, along with perspective issue, would start to improve. It’s not that the art is bad, i just expected improvements. Also back in the fold is colorist Chunlin Zhao and letterer Paul McLaren who add to the overall look and feel of the book, that long time fans will no doubt recognise.
Geek-Girl is a bit of an online sensation, Sam Johnson has mastered the intricacies of Twitter to somehow successfully promote the book, without the usual diatribe that can usually follow the comic industry. Part of that is due to the high production values and quality of his titular character.
Geek-Girl #5 is out October 23, and available at www.geekgirlcomics.com and www.comixology.com
Writing – 3 Stars
Art – 3 Stars
Colors – 3 Stars
Overall – 3 Stars
Written by; Sam Johnson with Mark Darden
Art by; Carlos Granda
Colors by; Chunlin Zhao
Letters by; Paul McLaren
Published by; Markosia Enterprises
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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