Bitch Planet

5 stars!

Well, well, well, this is going to be my first 5-star review on this blog. I am starting off with half a disclaimer. Technically I got this comic book on Netgalley in exchange for my honest review, but I ended up actually purchasing it and reading my own copy, not the digital one.

Bitch Planet by Kelly Sue Deconnick and Valentine De Landro (co-creators) was a crazy ride. We are dropped right into the middle of an extremely patriarchal society. I mean, up to the point where a guy can send you off to another planet for being non-compliant (like, rolling your eyes at him or daring to be overweight overweight). Everything is ruled by, technically, Fathers and Mothers, but the latter are just well-groomed and compliant (and so far mostly white, it seems) versions of the former, doing all their bidding. It is disturbing to say the least and no woman is ever safe. This comic book series is not always a comfortable read, but considering the subject matter it doesn’t always have to be.

As the back cover states, this comic deals with intersectional feminism. That is to say, how women of different races, cultural and economic backgrounds are treated differently for the same supposed crimes. These issues are also really current in contemporary American culture. It’s gritty and hard-hitting, with a futuristic space setting. I gasped out loud several times and often felt terrified. It depicts the brand of patriarchal government where they are trying to persuade you that everything is for your own good, where you feel like maybe you really are the bad one for being non-compliant. No woman is allowed to stand out, be special, or have opinions. The really “bad” ones are sent to an auxiliary outpost, or in the vernacular, the aptly named Bitch Planet.

On a lighter note, I urge you to carefully read the faux-ads after each issue; they are absolutely hilarious and range from subversive Missed Connection bulletins to great products such as Agreenex (see below). The art is also great, colourful with different colour schemes (ie more muted for flashback) running throughout the trade. The panels don’t always run the way we’re used to, so sometimes I was confused as to which order to read them in: left to right on one page, and then on the other, or horizontally across the whole spread, or snaked over the pages. Still, this is a very minor quip. I have heard some people say there isn’t much action, per se. I kind of see what they mean, but there is build-up to a larger event and I really could not put the book down despite the lack of a linear progression of events. I actually liked piecing the characters and their stories together. There was a lot going on behind the scenes, and I found that very refreshing.

I heartily recommend this to anyone, whether you’re a seasoned comic book lover or a newbie. Especially if you think it is all right not to act or look a certain way. It is truly one of the best ones I’ve ever read and paints a scary picture of where inequality could lead us. Also, it is qualified as sci-fi AND satire so there is something for everyone. It is slightly over the top and there hasn’t been any real explanation on how the society actually got that horrible situation, but I think the backstory will probably be presented in future volumes. There is some graphic content, not as “bad” as in Saga, but there is a fair amount of full-frontal nudity, and violence, obviously. Also, don’t get attached to anyone, I think. Codename: Game of Thrones, for this one. I am even considering setting up a hold list just for this comic, so I can enjoy the single issues and not wait for the next trade paperback to come out. It’s not even on Goodreads yet. Sob! In three words: go read it.

“What’s wrong with you? Agreenex^TM: because he’s sick of your shit.”