Reviewer: James Hatton
Story Title: “The Fresh Princess of Bel-Air”
Written by: Robert Kirkman
Penciled by: Deric Donovan
Colored by: Transparency Digital
Lettered by: VC’s Dave Sharpe
Cover Art by: Casey Jones
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Marvel Age is a set of books that, smartly, Marvel is putting together in the hopes that kids are going to start picking up funny books again. Small successes like the Marvel Age: Spidey & Fantastic Four and Sean McKeever’s sleeper hit Mary Jane, it’s Robert Kirkman’s time to try and make girls like comics that don’t involve Neil Gaiman, Slave Labor Graphics, or a manga art team.
For those who might not know – Jubilee is an excellent character. A long time ago she was considered a top fan favorite with the everpresent Wolverine and Gambit. After Generation X went away though, so did she, and the world had moved past Jubilation Lee. It’s sad, given how many great stories she’s been featured in. Uncanny X-Men #303, Operation Zero Tolerance, and the Phalanx Covenant just to name a few – she has the characteristics that can help motivate a story instead of just be the comedic end that you saw her becoming near the end of GenX.
I will admit that this is only partially my rant, my lovely girlfriend Danielle is a Jubes FIEND, and would have a tattoo of Jubilee on her boobie if she would just take her little blue pill and sleep for a while… I mean.. nevermind.
Story!
Jubilee is sick of New York, what with Grant Morrison blowing it up, and Austen making it suck, and Claremont making it sound like the 80’s. A conveniently lost Aunt has rekindled ties with her niece, and has set up a beautful little home in California where Jubes can grow up away from all that X-chicanery.
Through #1 we are introduced to our secondary characters, her nerdy new friend Meg – her social opposition, Missy – the cute boy, Dale – the mean principal, Mr. Avery. Exceptionally cliché, which strikes me as odd given what we’ve seen Kirkman can do when given zombies to play with. High school kids aren’t so much different, really.
There are some cute subtle things for the patient eye. The Homestar Runner reference, the ‘time passes’ captions, and a few other things, but overall this book just screams a lack of belief in its staying power. Maybe I’m wrong and Kirkman just wants to give us a basic playing field to work with before he zings us, or maybe he’s underestimating his audience. I think most teen girls would read this and go, “Oh wow! Umm.. I’m going to go vomit up my lunch now so I can remain pretty.” ..or whatever it is teen girls say these days..
A note: I’m not trying to play harsh critic on a book meant for kids, but if you are SERIOUSLY trying to give kids something to enjoy, please.. don’t pander to them. I now will stop slagging on the writing, and slag on the art.
Art!
The art has it’s hit or miss moments. The cover by Casey Jones comes across like he was trying to do a hyper-cute Middleton piece, but comes across as weirdly shaped and unrealistic. Again, comic book people, stop projecting comic book standard such as the perfect tight-bodied heroine in a book being made for impressionable young girls… it’s just not good.
At first glance, the internals were acceptable. The coloring was there, the basic structures weren’t altogether amazing, but I wouldn’t really expect it out of a story like this.
The one problem I have is Jubilee herself. For this, I don’t even put complete blame on Donovan, but Marvel for the last 15 years. Jubes is supposed to be part Asian and has gone from cute bubbly American girl to near offensive Asian stereotypes, with everything in between. This version starts acceptably, it’s a little more on the Japanese side than your classic Jubes, but whatever — and as you keep reading.. she gets more.. and more Japanese. Finally at the end of the book she looks almost as if she has a diamond shaped head. Add a set of comical bucked teeth and you have the most offensive X-Character EVER!
Oh, and a bit of research would have told you that Jubes has blue eyes.
Overall!
I’ve made mention on how certain books weren’t written for me. I’m a 25 year old professional man who writes comic book reviews for fun. They’re looking to get a 13 year old girl who likes such depthful things as malls and kissing boys. I have a 13 year old niece, and she looks to me for comic book guidance. I’d hand her McKeever’s Mary Jane without question.
If she glanced at this title, I’d hand her my longbox of Generation X instead.
