Zoe's Blues
Issues # 1-3 (of four)
Story by Carla Rodriguez
Illustrations by Rosa Colon
Price: $3.00 per issue
Email: sodapopcomics@hotmail.com
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I first heard about this comic through the I Read Comics podcast. I'm always
interested in indie superheroe comics, so I wrote to Rosa and Carla asking if I
could buy copies of Zoe's Blues. In a few weeks, I had review copies of all
three issues waiting for me in my mailbox. (Thank you Rosa and Carla!)
Each issue is printed in color on nice, semi-glossy paper and side-stapled. For
the production quality alone this comics is worth $3.00, but the story and
images support this worth. There is an interesting juxtaposition between the
flowing, pencil drawn characters and the precise, thick lines of the settings.
A pencil-shaded Zoe moves in a world of bright colors and patterned
backgrounds. The first time I read Zoe's Blues, I was thinking, I don't know
if you can do this and make the comic work. But by the third issue, I was
digging it. This is sometimes the way I feel in my day to day life. The people
I know are real and vibrant. But the mundane furniture of my life - the desks
and tables - are replicable images. I've moved across the country with two
suitcases, but the furniture I have in my new apartment could just as easily
have been with me in Alabama. The
images in Zoe's Blues could have been done in completely one realm or the
other, but I like the slight discord. It makes me ask the comic questions, and
interact with the text.
The story is fun and engaging. Zoe has superpowers (ice!) that she has not
quite mastered yet. She wants to go to college, but her parents want her to
join their superhero team. Zoe struggles with writing a college application
essay and crushes on the cute waiter at the cafe where she goes to take a break
from her family. The first two issues set up the world and the minor elements
of discord within the family, but in issue three the plot picks up the pace and
the villain Speed Demon (who briefly made an entrance in issue two) takes
control of Zoe's story.
Issues one and two have great character development. Flashbacks to Zoe's
childhood are interwoven smoothly with the current family events. There are
several lovely scenes of interaction between young Zoe and her parents. The
most moving of these occur when Zoe's optimism is thwarted by her uncontrolled
powers.
But issue three is my favorite so far. Speed Demon arranges a chat with Zoe,
and in addition to being an incredibly cute Speed Demon he also precipitates
the kind of witty dialogue that will make you smile as you read. It starts with
Zoe and Speed Demon's first conversation together. Zoe asks, "What gave
you the bright idea that I would help you?" and Speed Demon, looking
flustered, answers "Well, because you look like a reasonable human being,
and..." then in an inset close-up of Speed Demon's face "I know
stuff." :). Yes! Smile. :). These are the geeky heart-warmers that
make the third issue of Zoe's Blues extra cool and make me wish for a plush
version Speed Demon with whom I can have similarly shyly incoherent
conversations.
Speed Demon divulges the story of Zoe's parents and then makes her an offer she
will hopefully refuse. As Zoe listens to Speed Demon's story, her parents
search for her. Zoe's younger brother, Tommy, sits on the floor beside his
sister's bed and worries. The character depictions are very realistic in this
issue, and the two art styles interact on a new level. When Zoe's parents fly
out of the house to search for their missing daughter, their curvy, pencil
outlines move away from the angular lines of the house in a brief but powerful
image of movement and intent.
I have not read the fourth issue of Zoe's Blues yet, but if issues one through
three indicate the progression to the fourth, then it is likely to be a great
comic.
Zoe's Blues is definitely a comic to check out. Rodriguez and Colon have
created an inspiring art style, a cast of believable characters, and a female
protagonist with superhero powers and a hip outfit. I enjoyed reading the
issues, and hope that Zoe will return someday for a graphic novel length
adventure.
