Finally got the servers back up, in time for a review of Pretty Pretty Gumdrops. The creative team behind this campy sounding title have a pretty solid theme. Bleak times that bring out people’s ugliness, especially for the things people aren’t ready to forgive. But does that short supply mean it should drag people down? With only one issue, I’m not sure.
Pretty Pretty Gumdrops: The Business of Forgiveness
Pretty Pretty Gumdrops with only its first issue, is interesting if flawed. The main character Sapphire Freeze has a drive to bring out beauty but her first impression paints something else. On a woman she uses her brand of makeup products on, Sapphire makes her into a monster. At first it looks like Sapphire is trying to help a woman with her abusive husband. But the presentation does good in the surprise that this woman is Sapphire’s estranged sister. Which makes it all the more tragic in how that sister, Helena, is set up for execution.
This brings up an intelligent theme in Pretty Pretty Gumdrops on forgiveness. The general atmosphere has this unforgiving tone especially with the law enforcement on Helena’s planet. Due process and trials are gone in favor of preventing the spread of drug trades. But then there’s the issue of adapting a TV pitch into a comic book…
Comic Pace vs TV Pace
The creators of Pretty Pretty Gumdrops had to change their initial direction of a TV show into something else. I should also mention that this is Robby Morgan and Ray Allen’s first comic book, so I can forgive the pacing for this reason. But it also means that this won’t be the best first impression, especially in regards to Sapphire. Helena is set up to the reader as a victim of her husband’s abuse, so her put through more is harsh. Sapphire meanwhile is presented as a hypocrite, not trying to bring out beauty as she says down the line, just rubbing salt on a wound. The synopsis says Sapphire had to deal with rejections from Helena, but readers don’t feel that. Even Sapphire’s son, Todd, calls her out for this among the secrets Sapphire kept. Since this pitch was made for TV, the pacing feels off.
Make Up Job
The artist Jacq Sanabria gives Pretty Pretty Gumdrops an impressive layout and sequence of events. The scene with Sapphire and Helena has some good presentation and foreshadowing when it comes to events. The shape of panels and the angles they employ perfectly reflect the mindsets of characters. Standard squares show a steady beat while angular shapes give the feeling that events happen quickly. But not always, when Sapphire’s company ship is about to be boarded, events aren’t really telegraphed to know what’s going on. It takes a detective coming in to know what’s happening.
Then there’s Jacq Sanabria’s designs and coloring, the characters show off their traits rather well. Flit for example, has one of the most expressive facial features throughout the issue. She presents herself as in control and willing to confront the people who step out of bounds. But there’re also times when the aesthetics look distracting. Amidst the very simple backgrounds, there is an instance where futuristic gear is indecipherable because the font and color looks faded.
Pretty Pretty Gumdrops: More Coming Soon
Pretty Pretty Gumdrops has an intelligent theme with a quirky dysfunctional family. It’s not a perfect introduction with how the pacing and events take place. But the presentation is still good to make an impression on people. With only one issue, it gets 7.5/10.
I thought it was quite good. Loved the illustrations by Jacqueline especiall the characters
Interesting theme, with interesting characters. With just one issue there are sooooo many possibilities; so many twists and turns that can take place; sooo many questions to be answered! I’m intrigued!