Today, Comics Alliance shared an exclusive preview of Jem and the Holograms #7. I wasn’t expecting it, and just when I was feeling wistful (it’s been a whole week since #6 dropped), Kelly Thompson shared a link on Twitter. I was there as quickly as I could right click and hit “open in new tab” – this may come as a shock to you, but I really, really like Jem.
Before today, I’d been ever so slightly skeptical of the next arc, because starting from #7, Emma Vieceli is taking over from Sophie Campbell on art duties. No disrespect to Vieceli, of course, but I’m always a bit wary of artist changes, and I’ve grown particularly attached to Campbell’s work on this book.
Having seen the preview, I’m 100% on board with this Vieceli-drawn arc. She has her own style, of course, but she’s managed to capture the same spirit and emotion as Campbell. The spirit and emotion that I fell in love with. I’m looking forward to Vieceli’s artwork in #7 and onwards as much as I know I’m going to miss Campbell’s, at least until she comes back for the third arc.
And of course, everything else is remaining constant. Kelly Thompson’s still writing, and judging from the first few pages the preview, she’s still in fine form. The premise of the issue is wonderfully silly – Jerrica’s struggling to set up a website for the Holograms, so she gets Synergy to do it for her – but it’s another great opportunity to use a slice-of-life setting to let the soul of each character shine through. M. Victoria Robado is still doing the colours, and they’re as vibrant as ever.
I was always looking forward to this next arc, let’s be honest. I’m not familiar with Vieceli’s work, but I was pretty confident that IDW, Thompson, and editor John Barber wouldn’t bring someone on who wasn’t a great fit. But after seeing the preview, I know that this is true. And I’m pumped.