CREDIT: Abstract Studio
Rating: 5/5 – This is a Comic that Made Me Smile.
By ComicSpectrum senior reviewer Shawn Hoklas.
Motor Girl is the type of comic that’s simply a joy to read. Over the past two to three years it’s been refreshing to see Marvel release titles like Patsy Walker, Moon Girl, and more. At DC, Rebirth is promising a return to a more bright and inspiring DCU. While it’s great to see this movement, both Marvel and DC, as well as Image, have plenty of titles where the subject matter is dark and ultra-serious so at times reading books like Walking Dead, Civil War, or Batman, which I happen to read a lot of, can bring me down. Motor Girl is the opposite and lightened my mood. Although there seems to be some more serious undertones, this first issue made me smile for plenty of reasons.
The first reason is that main character Sam (Samantha) is just downright likeable. Sam is a gear head working at a scrapyard and it looks as though she truly enjoys what she does. Her partner on the scrapyard happens to be a big talking gorilla named Mike and their interactions with each other are funny, lighthearted, and show the chemistry that these two fictional characters have with one another. There’s a wonderful scene between the two about texting and driving that makes you forget that one’s a human and one’s a gorilla. Instead, it shows just how much thought Moore has put into these characters before releasing this first issue. They compliment each other and I can’t wait to see more of their current and past relationship.
At the same time, based on a few things that Sam talks about you get a sense that there’s something just a little bit off with her. I don’t want to get into any spoilers, but Moore does a great job of hinting that Sam may have some issues based on a troubled past. It’s definitely subtle, but it’s enough to make me question some of what she encounters and sees in this first issue. Moore’s art is looser than what we’ve seen from him in the past, but definitely fits the subject matter. His shadows are scratchier and in a few panels are much more cartoony than what I am used to from his work in the past. But it’s a style that matches the tone and character of this series. Overall, Motor Girl is a fun, happy and lighthearted book that you should be reading, especially if you want to smile! I can’t wait to read more.
Reviewed by: Shawn Hoklas
(shawn@comicspectrum.com)
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