Slam! #1

Slam! #1

Roller derby stories are great for visual entertainment. There’s a lot of action, the sport has an edgy authenticity to it, it’s female-centered, and it’s a believable way for rebellious young women to discover their power and abilities. I liked the idea when I saw it in Whip It, and I liked it in Slam! #1, by Pamela Ribon and Veronica Fish.

We’re introduced to Jennifer Chu, a lonely good student who finds friends to care for, and Maisie Huff, getting over being cheated on. We see how wonderful derby is for them, and if you’re like me, we fall in love with them and the ways they cope and grow.

Slam! #1

Ribon writes in a complex, novelistic structure, heavy on flashbacks, that’s a breath of fresh air, and Fish (Archie) does a fabulous job illustrating the settings, the competition, the character insights, and the friendship. Brittany Peer’s colors are neon-influenced, high contrast and exciting.

I read this issue multiple times to pick up on all the details and enjoyed it more each time. I’m eager to see what happens next, particularly with the cliffhanger, where friends wind up on different teams. (Not a spoiler, since it was part of the solicitation copy. The publisher provided a digital review copy.)



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