Pick of the week!

This mini, which carries a “Women of Marvel” banner hasn’t garnered
the attention of some of the other titles in the Marvel Women project
(and it isn’t helped by a title that’s simultaneously weird and
generic), but this is a thoroughly delightful book that deserves to find
an audience. Her-oes tells the story of teenager Janet Van
Dyne, and her best friend Jenny Walters. Jan and Jen have all the usual
teenage worries — school, parents, romance, mean girls. But they also
have to come to terms with being different from their classmates.
Really different! Because, as Marvel fans know, Jan is the Wasp (who
shrinks down to insect size and grows wings), and Jen is She-Hulk (you
wouldn’t like her when she’s angry!) These aren’t the versions of the
characters we know from other comics, though, and they don’t try to be.

That’s the real strength and charm of Her-oes: it’s a retelling
of the basic “young superhero” story that we all know, and it isn’t
afraid to stand on its own two feet. You don’t read this comic looking
for winking references to stories from other comic books. You just read
it to find out what happens to these girls, because they’re fun and
funny and interesting characters. In a lot of ways, this is basically
the Spider-Man story — the talented teenage misfit with secret
powers — but it’s tailored not just to girls as an abstract audience,
but to Jan as a unique character. She’s impulsive and sassy and
sometimes makes bad choices, in a way that reminds me of a slightly
grown-up Ramona Quimby. And sure, I could grumble that instead of being
interested in science, like Peter Parker, Jan is interested in fashion.
But fashion here is Jan’s mission; she wants to be a designer for the
school play — it’s not a girl thing, it’s a Jan thing. Also,
she wears fishnets with combat boots. It looks awesome!

I wasn’t familiar with Grace Randolph’s writing before finding this
series, but I’ve been converted very quickly. Her scripts capture the
uneasy dynamics of high school friendships — and enemyships — and how
quickly those tides can turn. Issue 2 also injects some darker
subtexts, when it seems that Jan’s apparently loving but absent-minded
father may be keeping some secrets. Craig Rousseau’s art is also a
perfect fit for this book. I first admired his work on my beloved,
departed X-Men: First Class, and here it gets fantastic
finishes from colorist Veronica Gandini. (That cover, also awesome, is
by Sara Pichelli). So much talent and love obviously went into this
book and, while it might be aimed at (and perfect for) teen and preteen
girls, this is just great comic-booking that anyone can enjoy.