A review by quetzelish
DC Comics: Bombshells, Vol. 3: Uprising by Marguerite Bennett, Laura Braga
5.0
Having taken a short look at the other reviews, it seems that I may have liked this volume more than others (that or my rating scale is still very skewed towards more positive ratings). Either way, Marguerite Bennett hits her stride in this volume, taking many of the disparate stories of the previous volumes and bringing them together in an action packed battle with the Nazi regime and some returning villains. The art, while not being anything stunning, is still very good and feels much more consistent than before, even though the early parts of the volume do suffer from faces that never feel quite expressive enough.
There was just something about the contents of this volume that hit home for me. Maybe it was the focus on the jewish characters and how that affects their actions as heros. Maybe it was the palpable feeling of loss and the horrors of a world at war, living under a government that actively wants to deny you existence. Maybe it's the theme of fighting against forces that seem too powerful but surviving despite them. I'm not sure. I found myself crying all throughout the scenes with Miriam and the fact that such an atmosphere could be created is worthy of praise. Bombshells has always been a good series but it's in this volume that I think it becomes a great one.
On a different note, the reintroduction of many of the familiar dc characters continues to great effect and makes the world feel fuller and all the better. Panels call back to classic stores while recontextualizing the events within the scope of WWII and this new universe. Characterization continues to be spot on as well, although as with anything that has this many characters, some fall by the way side. Constantine is wasted at times and just seems to appear and disappear at random, the batgirls still feel a bit disconnected from the overall story but any excuse to see them again is welcomed. Overall, I think my own experiences does cloud my review but what else is a review than a collection of feelings and craft analysis. If a work is able to evoke such feelings, I think that it is definitely deserving of a read. Can't wait for volume 4!
There was just something about the contents of this volume that hit home for me. Maybe it was the focus on the jewish characters and how that affects their actions as heros. Maybe it was the palpable feeling of loss and the horrors of a world at war, living under a government that actively wants to deny you existence. Maybe it's the theme of fighting against forces that seem too powerful but surviving despite them. I'm not sure. I found myself crying all throughout the scenes with Miriam and the fact that such an atmosphere could be created is worthy of praise. Bombshells has always been a good series but it's in this volume that I think it becomes a great one.
On a different note, the reintroduction of many of the familiar dc characters continues to great effect and makes the world feel fuller and all the better. Panels call back to classic stores while recontextualizing the events within the scope of WWII and this new universe. Characterization continues to be spot on as well, although as with anything that has this many characters, some fall by the way side. Constantine is wasted at times and just seems to appear and disappear at random, the batgirls still feel a bit disconnected from the overall story but any excuse to see them again is welcomed. Overall, I think my own experiences does cloud my review but what else is a review than a collection of feelings and craft analysis. If a work is able to evoke such feelings, I think that it is definitely deserving of a read. Can't wait for volume 4!