REBEL GRRRLS #1, from Keenspot Entertainment on 7/26/23, embarks on a supernatural tale to end the world with three rockers from the backwoods of Alabama.
The Details
- Written by: Danny Harrell
- Art by: Robert Ahmad
- Colors by: Danny Harrell
- Letters by: Matt Krotzer
- Cover art by: Robert Ahmad (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover price: $5.99
- Release date: July 26, 2023
Is REBEL GRRRLS #1Good?
What do you do when want the protagonists of a story to succeed while knowing their success means the Apocalypse? That’s the unique puzzle at the heart of REBEL GRRRLS #1 from Danny Harrell and Robert Ahmad. The Alien She-Devils are as loud and brash as the tone of this comic, so if you like a Rock ‘n Roll fairytale with a devilish twist, you might enjoy this indie offering from Keenspot.
Harrell’s script centers on a trio of rocker girls from the less affluent areas of Alabama who come together to form a band and ride their start of success as far as it will go. What the girls don’t know is that their path to stardom was planted by the Devil who imbued the girls since birth with the ability to raise the spirits of the dead.
REBEL GRRRLS #1 thematically feels akin to Rock & Rule (1983) by mixing the hero’s journey, based on musical stardom, with the dark forces of the supernatural. This comic doesn’t quite reach Rock & Rule’s iconic status, but the similarities are obvious enough.
What’s great about REBEL GRRRLS #1? Harrell’s central premise is a good start, primarily because we don’t get enough genre mashups in comics, particularly in the horror genre. If Harrell can pay off the journey of a rocker group who wants to make it on their own, not realizing their success may end the world, then we may have a winning idea in the making.
What’s not so great about REBEL GRRRLS #1? The basic script elements are fine, but it’s the characters that may be a struggle for some readers. Every side character in this issue is a terrible person, particularly the males, and you get the feeling that’s on purpose. If that character choice was intentional to underscore the difficulties of an all-girl band struggling to make their mark in their world, that would be fine. Unfortunately, the band members aren’t particularly likable either, so it’s tough to get behind a story with a potentially strong central premise when you can’t root for anyone in the comic because nobody has any redeeming qualities. Sure, the bandmates have past hurts which explains their abrasive personalities, but if Harrell doesn’t show some heart underneath the gruff, this series will turn into a tough sell.
How’s the art? It’s fine. Despite the central premise, there’s very little supernatural eye candy to hold your attention, so it’s all about the character interactions. Ahmad gives you enough style and dramatic flair to hold your eyes, and Harrell’s colors add loads of pop to grab your attention.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s REBEL GRRRLS #1 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with a brief narration as the Alien She-Devils perform their first gig at a seedy dive near their hometown in Alabama. The narrator explains how the Devil imbued the girl with the power to raise spirits, and those spirits come out to dance in force when the music plays. The gig is poorly attended, but the girls are hopeful they can earn more attention during their performance at the upcoming County Fair.
Before they pack up after their first gig, the band is approached by a mysterious stranger offering a contract that promises fame and fortune. The band, however, isn’t buying what the stranger is selling, so they leave the stranger frustrated. What they don’t know is the stranger is an agent of the Devil, assigned to help the girls on their way to the biggest world stages in the hopes of raising an army of undead spirits.
We conclude the issue with a rowdy crowd, a handsy stage hand, and a call for a witch burning.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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REBEL GRRRLS #1 blends Rock ‘n Roll with the supernatural when the Devil plans to guide a girl band to stardom and the Apocalypse. The central premise drips with potential, and horror comics could benefit from a cool mashup, but new readers may struggle with not having one likable character to root for.
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