Jubilee

(Marvel, 2004–2005)
™ and © 2004, 2005 Marvel Entertainment Group

Robert Kirkman is capable of so much more. His re–introduction of Jubilee is far too derivative of any number of other “outsider in a new school” stories. It’s been done many times. In fact, Arcana Studios’ 100 Girls has the same plot, down to the attention from the popular guy, the assault by the jealous girlfriend, and the use of powers in self–defense. Not to say that one is copying from the other; it’s a common concept, and a moratorium needs to be placed on it.

That being said, Kirkman’s dialogue is quality. Jubilee finally talks like a real teenager. Derec Donovan’s art is above average, but he chooses some bizarre camera angles. On one page, Jubilee looks like she’s lying on the floor, with no indication of how she got there. In the next panel, she’s standing again.

Donovan also goes for a little tittilation with the locker–room fight. All the girls involved are wearing short–shorts and cutoff shirts. Since everyone involved is in high school, is this really appropriate for an all–ages comic book?

— Steve Horton

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