[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
“As Bad as Mad”
Written by: Cecil Castellucci
Illustrated by: Marley Zarcone
Colors by: Kelly Fitzpatrick
Summary
Loma as Megan is about to dive into the pool. Megan was the best swimmer on the team, but unfortunately Loma has no idea to swim as a human. She jumps, and nearly drowns. It is this event, this failure that brings her to question her experience on Earth. Maybe she’s ready to go back home. That’s not possible, the M-Vest doesn’t work that way. To add to Loma’s troubles, the kids at school are slowly figuring out that something is really different with Megan since her accident and it is likely not simply the coma experience.
Back on Meta, Lepuck begins to worry more about Loma and what’s happened, including revealing to another friend what Loma did. They try to get her out of her sealed container to no avail and ponder confessing to the authorities that they know what happened to the M-Vest.
Loma finally begins exploring Megan’s life and discovers why no one likes her. Loma’s not sure what to do with it at first, but after Loma shows back up at swim practice with a little help from Wes she figures it out. Loma is able to tap into Megan’s residual anger and hate and turn it into violence against the other girls. They all get detention.
Positives
While this issue continues to explore Loma’s experience as a human from an internal perspective, we also finally get to see Loma take action toward’s the people in her life. She’s got to try and make a decision of how she will act toward’s them. Not unlike many teenagers, she takes a visceral approach and lashes out. It doesn’t seem like she wants to, but it comes across as if Megan still has some control over her emotions. This book continues to approach things in a unique manner. It moves at a slower pace than many books, but it allows the reader to soak in what is being developed. This issue addresses idea of personality and why people do the things they do.
Negatives
This is one of those books for a thoughtful reader that is willing to invest a little more time and thought. It’s not for everyone, and that’s ok. For some this “negative” is really a positive.
Verdict
Shade the Changing Girl continues to be a unique book on the stands. It’s approach to emotion and the challenges of dealing with them are nuanced and not for everyone. If you give it a chance though, you might learn something.
“Hero or Error”
Written by: Tina Howard
Illustrated by: Sanya Anwar
Summary
This is a short little take on the Dial “H” for Hero concept. A waitress in a super-hero themed restaurant uses the Hero Dial when a fellow server is accosted by a customer. Things don’t go well.
Positives
While not as fun as some of the other back ups in previous issues, this story ties in thematically with the main tale. What makes the hero? The dial or the person? Who makes the person? Loma or Megan?
Negatives
It may seem short and insignificant to some, but this backup relates to Loma’s predicament.
Verdict
Good use of the backup this issue to echo the theme from the main story.
