Posted in: Comics | Tagged: bitch planet, Comics, entertainment, image comics, kelly sue deconnick, Valentine De Landro

Bitch Planet Is More Than Just A Comic Book

Last month, Image Comics released a fantastic feminist comic called Bitch Planet, written by Kelly Sue DeConnick, with art by Valentine De Landro. Bitch Planet #2 continues with focus on Kamau Kogo, suspected murderer of Marian Collins, who knows she's being falsely accused. After battling an intense round of brainwashing, Kamau is joined by one of the guards. She is presented with an offer to form a team to participate in "megaton," which is the Auxiliary Compliance Outpost a.k.a Bitch Planet's violent competition. At first, Kamau objects, but her perspective begins to change as the issue goes on.

As a reader, I take the intense content of this comic very seriously. The issues that are being dealt with, although presented in a fictitious location, are very real. I think what's great about it is, Deconnick and De Landro's ability to present the information in a way that's powerful to witness. You really feel immersed in all of the layers of this environment as you're reading. I wanted to use the scene below as an example.

We see Kamau Kogo running next to her friend Violet. For a few pages she is discussing the "megaton" competition with her, urging her to do it. While this conversation is happening, secondary character Penny can be seen fading into the background having an altercation with a guard. This background scene continues as the forward scene progresses as well. It's small details like that, which allow readers to feel connected to the setting that they're reading about. I appreciate the complexity of this comic, and how these women stand strong against the authorities that are trying to break them.

I must mention that Bitch Planet is more than a comic book. In writer Kelly Sue DeConnick's letter at the end of #2, she talks about how she will have guest essayists at the end of some issues including, Megan Carpentier, Mikki Kendall, Laurie Penny, and Lindy West. This particular essay is written by Tasha Fierce, which discusses cultural misconceptions of feminism. Overall, this book is the complete package of something that should be talked about. I'm thrilled that Image is standing behind this book, and can't wait to see what the series has in store for readers!

Christine Marie is a Staff Writer at Bleeding Cool, and bibliomaniac with a love for all things creative. She hopes to one day be a Superhero/Disney Princess/Novelist. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram @AWritersWay or on her blog writerchristinemarie.wordpress.com.

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