Scan barcode
sbsreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
doctorwithoutboundaries's review against another edition
3.0
Ooo, I’ve only just found out that Kelly Sue DeConnick is married to [a: Matt Fraction|61382|Matt Fraction|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1464823629p2/61382.jpg]! But of course, that shouldn’t matter, and that’s kind of the point of this comic: to remind us that—even in this day and age—a woman’s worth is defined by a man. And that that ought to anger all of us.
In DeConnick’s universe, if women are non-compliant with the societal standard set by men, they’re shipped to a prison in outer space. The concept is exaggerated and improbable, but this is precisely what satire is supposed to do: hold a mirror for us to see the absurdity of our beliefs and actions.
This first volume is light on plot and heavy on characterisation. There are some important and empowering representations of women here: inmates of several different body types and ethnicities. One of the characters (Penny) has already grown on me. I love how comfortable she is in her own skin. I’m interested to see if the next volume will further the discussion on racial issues that are superficially grazed in Penny’s flashbacks.
I also want to see more sci-fi elements than just holograms and the mention of space, because right now I don’t see the point of the setting at all. Here’s a tip: if a certain angle doesn’t add anything to the story and you’re not doing anything new with it, you can probably do without it.
I enjoyed the bits of magazine articles and ads strewn into the mix: hilarious and oh-so-true. Laid out between chapters like this, they help you realise the intersection of consumerism and impossible body norms. I am upset, however, that certain essays that accompanied the single issues didn’t survive the transition into collected edition. Hate when that happens!
The art, I’m sad to say, just isn’t my jam. I didn’t like the inconsistent style with its poor choice of colours. But, most frustratingly, the panel arrangement is often... confusing. I love when artists play with layout, as I noted when I reviewed Descender. But here I honestly couldn’t figure out the intended reading order for some of the pages.
Despite my minor complaints, I devoured this comic hook, line and sinker and enjoyed the biting commentary on prison culture and the world’s ridiculous expectations of women. Best of all, this doesn’t just call men on their bullshit; it’s also deeply critical of the women who help maintain this status quo—victim-perpetrators, as I call them.
And just when I was thinking that this dystopia owes a debt to [a: Margaret Atwood|3472|Margaret Atwood|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1282859073p2/3472.jpg], the author surreptitiously sneaks in “Nolite te bastardes carborundum”... To paraphrase Ms. Atwood, [b: Bitch Planet|25074849|Bitch Planet, Vol. 1 Extraordinary Machine|Kelly Sue DeConnick|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1425527046s/25074849.jpg|44760257] is a comic about what happens when certain casually held attitudes about women are taken to their sci-fi conclusions!
In DeConnick’s universe, if women are non-compliant with the societal standard set by men, they’re shipped to a prison in outer space. The concept is exaggerated and improbable, but this is precisely what satire is supposed to do: hold a mirror for us to see the absurdity of our beliefs and actions.
This first volume is light on plot and heavy on characterisation. There are some important and empowering representations of women here: inmates of several different body types and ethnicities. One of the characters (Penny) has already grown on me. I love how comfortable she is in her own skin. I’m interested to see if the next volume will further the discussion on racial issues that are superficially grazed in Penny’s flashbacks.
I also want to see more sci-fi elements than just holograms and the mention of space, because right now I don’t see the point of the setting at all. Here’s a tip: if a certain angle doesn’t add anything to the story and you’re not doing anything new with it, you can probably do without it.
I enjoyed the bits of magazine articles and ads strewn into the mix: hilarious and oh-so-true. Laid out between chapters like this, they help you realise the intersection of consumerism and impossible body norms. I am upset, however, that certain essays that accompanied the single issues didn’t survive the transition into collected edition. Hate when that happens!
The art, I’m sad to say, just isn’t my jam. I didn’t like the inconsistent style with its poor choice of colours. But, most frustratingly, the panel arrangement is often... confusing. I love when artists play with layout, as I noted when I reviewed Descender. But here I honestly couldn’t figure out the intended reading order for some of the pages.
Despite my minor complaints, I devoured this comic hook, line and sinker and enjoyed the biting commentary on prison culture and the world’s ridiculous expectations of women. Best of all, this doesn’t just call men on their bullshit; it’s also deeply critical of the women who help maintain this status quo—victim-perpetrators, as I call them.
And just when I was thinking that this dystopia owes a debt to [a: Margaret Atwood|3472|Margaret Atwood|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1282859073p2/3472.jpg], the author surreptitiously sneaks in “Nolite te bastardes carborundum”... To paraphrase Ms. Atwood, [b: Bitch Planet|25074849|Bitch Planet, Vol. 1 Extraordinary Machine|Kelly Sue DeConnick|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1425527046s/25074849.jpg|44760257] is a comic about what happens when certain casually held attitudes about women are taken to their sci-fi conclusions!
danoreading's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't like Pretty Deadly or Captain Marvel much at all, but I did quite enjoy this. So I guess the key to enjoying Kelly Sue DeConnick is to keep trying.
nooneyouknow's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Graphic novels/comics are not my typical fate, but this one has a very interesting premise. Loved the ads at the end of each issue.
eli_like_a_lie's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
slowbollard's review against another edition
3.0
Meh. I mean, I get what they're trying to say. I think they focused too much on getting their message across and making sure we know how funny they are instead of character and world building. The art was okay. I had to force myself to finish it, so I don't think I'll continue with this series. Other people have done this story and done it better.
elysareadsitall's review against another edition
3.0
The story was a bit disjointed and hard to follow at times, but overall, the plot and world were interesting. The characters aren't very complicated, but I liked them. I'll most likely continue the series.
evelyneleanor's review against another edition
4.0
Love the concept, the art, the pacing of the panels. But I don’t feel that into the plot yet. Hoping book 2 gets me more into it.
trinitypoints's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5