Comic Review: Tomboy Vol. 2: Absence of Good from Action Lab Entertainment: Danger Zone

TOMBOY VOL. 2: ABSENCE OF GOOD
Writer(s): M. Goodwin
Artist Name(s): M. Goodwin
Cover Artist(s): M.Goodwin

128 pgs./ T+ / FC $14.99
Action Lab Entertainment: Danger Zone
When Jessica is mistaken for the vigilante taking out the Ambidrex 20, Addison disobeys her grandfather's order to save her friend. The event leads Addison down a dark path from which she may not recover, however, as her attempt at heroism leads to a monstrous conclusion instead.

I was enthralled with the first volume, but volume two blew me away on so many levels. Goodwin has taken the "Magical Girl" genre and turned it inside out (heehee, if you've read this you know what I'm talking about) into a psychological and visual horror story. The author is not afraid to go "there." Addison is one of the most brutal vigilantes in the comic book world.

Yeah, I'm being kind of vague because there are many pieces to the story that the author is slowly letting us in on and there are spoilers galore. Don't want to ruin the gruesome surprises. There are new players in the game now and we have to wait and see how Addison handle's them.

The composition of the panels is brilliant. So many subtle things are conveyed to the reader. Some of the panels come as close to a jump scare as you can with a comic. I was excited for and dreaded what would happen next. The cover art is absolutely beautiful.

Review: Tomboy Vol. 1: Divine Intervention TPB

5 "I'm the monster" Sheep

SharonS

Comic Review: Tomboy: Divine Intervention TPB from Action Lab: Danger Zone

Tomboy: Divine Intervention TPB
Writer(s): Mia Goodwin
Artist Name(s): M. Goodwin
Cover Artist(s): M.Goodwin

Action Lab: Danger Zone
128 pages/ Rated: T+ / FC $14.99
“No Crime Goes Unpunished. No Criminal Walks Away.”

The death of a friend catches sixteen year -old Addison off guard, but a chance encounter with his

killers on the subway forever changes her life. Crime cover-ups, dirty cops, and magical dead boyfriends consume her life as she's thrust into the vigilante lifestyle and murder becomes her after school activity. Collects Tomboy 1-4.

Vigilantes are a common horror/action troupe. The Punisher is a great example...but what if instead of a big ex-military guy, the vigilante is a sweet 16 year old girl who plays field hockey for her school, and loves an anime-like character called Princess Cherry Cherry! Addison has a great life. It is her sixteenth birthday. She has a great relationship with her father, the local medical examiner, and grandfather. Then tragedy hits and Addison transforms into someone The Punisher might fear. The cover of issue one captures the tone and heart of this story.

Action Lab has done it again by helping bring Mia Godwin's unique, well-written and skillfully drawn comic to us. The artwork and color pallet add to the horror aspect by combing bright and cheerful with death and gore. I've always found it more disturbing when the monster is hidden behind a beautiful and innocent facade.

The first four issues contained in this trade paperback introduce many subplots and set up the relationship dynamics between all the characters. We watch Addison transition from a normal teenage girl to a brutal vigilante. At first she is reluctant and even scared, but with encouragement from two unlikely sources, she embraces who she is. It could be seen as a superhero (or villain?) origin story.

This is definitely one I will be following. But be warned, it is violent and gory.

5 "Let's Go!" Sheep

SharonS

Comic Review: Tomboy from Action Lab Entertainment: Danger Zone

TOMBOY
Written by Jon Verall and Mia Goodwin (Princeless)
Art by Mia Goodwin
Nov. 18, 2015
Action Lab: Danger Zone
The death of a childhood friend sparks a series of events that lead Addison from teenage field hockey player to a murderer of criminals. There's no lack of targets for her in a city built on corruption, but payback doesn't come for free. Addison's reality begins to blur in the pursuit of vengeance and justice is used as justification to become a monster.

The stunning first full comic work from Eisner award nominated creator M. Goodwin (Princeless), perfect for fans of Batgirl or Spider-Gwen!

Wow, stunning is exactly what this is. A look at what happens when a young, happy teenage girl’s world suddenly collides with a dark and dangerous one. The comic starts out with Addison cornered on top of a court house, covered in blood, contemplating what happened to her life. We then flashback to Addison’s 16 birthday where we glimpse her perfect life living with her father, the Medical Examiner, and her grandfather, a retired police chief. Then her world comes to a crashing stop when she finds out her best friend has been murdered. Running into the dirty cops that murdered him flips a switch in Addison and releases a monster she didn’t know was hiding in her.

This is a vigilante story starring a 16 year old girl. As with all Action Lab: Danger Zone comics the writing and artwork breath life into Addison. You easily learn to love her and then your heart breaks for her. And you are horrified as you watch her break from reality. The artist did a great job of depicting her transformation. Check out the cover above. I love the way you are reminded of Addison's innocence and what she has become. 

5 “Transforming” Sheep

SharonS