Goliath Girls #2
From MAJK’s Coffee Corner
This week was an exciting week for fans of Goliath Girls. Not only did ComiXology Originals release Goliath Girls #2, but it also debuted an exciting Special Edition of Goliath Girls issue #1 featuring never-before-seen process art, character development, script pages, and more from writer Sam Humphries (Blackbird, Harley Quinn, Green Lanterns) and artist Alti Firmansyah (X-Men ’92, Star-Lord and Kitty Pryde).
Both issues are available at no additional cost to members of ComiXology Unlimited, Kindle Unlimited, and Prime Reading. They’re also available to purchase for $2.99 each via ComiXology and Kindle, with both issues released simultaneously in English and Japanese, and the latter is available through Amazon.jp.
Creative Team
Written: Sam Humphries Art: Miralti Firmansyah
Colored: Brittany Peer, Sara Talmadge Lettered: Jodi Wynn Edited: Will Dennis
Series Rating: 4.8 – 5 /5 pull list material
Goliath Girls #2 dropped this week and I have to say I’m loving it! Packed with action and wit, this comic blends the elements of Japanese monster hunter-style manga with elements of American teenage superhero comics to give you something truly unique. The story is solid, the art is absolutely gorgeous, and the overall feel is that of the best after-school cartoons ever made. Although the ComiXology recommendation is 15+, from what I’ve seen this comic is perfect for teens and tweens while still being very enjoyable for adults who love comics and manga. I’d definitely add it to my pull list. Since it’s a short five-issue run, you might want to hurry and grab issue #1 and #2 before they are gone.
Spoiler Warning: If you have not read Goliath Girls #1 & #2, there may be spoilers below!
What’s Goliath Girls About?
Environmental and ecological changes to the world brought forth monsters that ravaged civilization. These monsters became known as Kaiju or “strange creatures,” over time referred to as Goliaths. Humans battled the Goliaths for years. The result was never-ending war, death, and destruction known as the Forever War.
Then came the children of a generation that never knew a time without monsters. They believed that humans and Kaiju could coexist. These children were called Goliath Girls. They were united in their goal to bring about an end to the Forever War.
Saving the Planet Is for Girls
Goliath Girls #2 opens at a time after the Goliath Girls broke up. There are only four members of the Goliath Girls left. Now the fate of the world rests on the shoulders of three girls—Juliet, Eunice, and Zelda—and one Kaiju.
Zelda, Eunice, and Juliet are three best friends, as well as orphans of the Kaiju Generation. They are also adoptive mothers to their own baby Goliath, affectionately known as Ginger Spice. For years the Goliath Girls have searched for the elusive King of All Goliaths, the one fabled to bring the Forever War to an end. Now it looks like the King has appeared, but they’re not the only ones on his trail and he’s not the only Goliath to appear.
In Goliath Girls #2, we see the girls choosing to save lives over going straight for the King Kaiju. Choices like these are part of what makes a hero, or in their case, a team of heroes. Goliath Girls #2 is a story about hope, friendship, and the power of sisterhood. It’s also a story about the complicated choices that come with being a teenage girl. Relationships with your parents and your peers get complicated when you are saving the world—even more so when those you love choose to walk away from the very thing for which you fight.
The fate of the world lies in the hands of three teenage girls as they fight to not only save humans from gargantuan Kaiju known as “Goliaths,” but also to save Goliaths from humans. Goliath Girls #1 dropped us right into the action and set up an incredible story. Goliath Girls #2 continues the story as the Goliath Girls face heartbreak, a newborn Kaiju, a giant space ape, and the possible end of their team.
Art & Writing
Sam Humphries is the writer of Harley Quinn, Nightwing, and Green Lanterns for DC Comics’ blockbuster Rebirth initiative. He recently wrote the global video game phenomenon Marvel: Contest of Champions. His other titles include Legendary Star-Lord and Avengers AI for Marvel, as well as original critically-acclaimed books Jonesy and Citizen Jack. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and their two cats, El Niño and Hopey.
Alti Firmansyah is a native-born Indonesian. She studied graphic design in Bandung. Her big break as a comic artist was on Marvel’s Star-Lord & Kitty Pryde, written by Sam Humphries. She has also drawn Marvel’s X-Men ’92, The Unbelievable Gwenpool, and Thor vs. Hulk. She lives in Jakarta, Indonesia.
MAJK’s Age Recommendation
Tweens and teens 12+ years of age but easily enjoyable for adults. Although the ComiXology age recommendation is 15+, I’m not seeing anything in here that would preclude tweens from enjoying it except maybe the monsters being a bit scary. The language is pretty tame, even substituting Sugar Honey Iced Tea for… well, read only the first letter.
There are verbal expressions of same-sex relationships, but I’m comfortable with that being normalized in comics for tweens. If you aren’t, then here’s your heads up because everyone parents differently and I wouldn’t want you blind-sided. Overall, I see this as much tamer than comics by Marvel and DC that are rated for 12+, so I feel pretty comfortable with this rating.
Best Line & Why
Best Line: Zelda’s Mom: “You are wasting your potential, darling—”
Zelda: “We’re saving the city!”
Arguing with Mom while saving the city is just one of those awesome moments that you can easily see happening between your average parent and teen. It’s moments like this that remind us these are teenagers. Special and amazing teens, yes, but still teens.
Next Issue: Goliath Girls #3 will be out January 2, 2019.
