Loma's da bomb.Shade the Changing Girl #6
"earth girl made easy, chapter six: Homecoming"
Written by Cecil Castellucci
Illustrated by Marley Zarcone
Inks by Ande Parks
Colors by Kelly Fitzpatrick
Letters by Saida Temofonte
Cover Price: $3.99
On-Sale Date: 03.01.2017
Megan just flew home, and boy is her soul tired.
Let's check in with our favorite maddies, and see how earth girl made easy shakes out!
Now if you were going to tell me that this would sorta-kinda be a "big fight" issue, I'd have either slumped my shoulders and sighed, or called you a lunatic... and yet, here we are. What's more... it worked amazingly well! This story takes place on multiple planes... along with a brief visit to Meta, but we'll get there.
The Megan and Shade scenes take place almost in between worlds. There are signs of it occurring right out in public (though astra-Megan can only be seen by a few choice folks), but a few "rounds" also appear to be taking place in the cotton candy psychedelic astral plane. It's rather seamless, and really quite well done.
We see a tortured Loma being taunted by an unseen assailant. We already know that Megan was a pretty rotten person, and that is reflected here in how her classmates react to seeing her in crisis. They stand back and pity her, maybe even enjoy it a bit... or figure she's just high on drugs.
River and Teacup have become less and less "background" over the past few issues, and it is here where I feel they become "cast members". We have long wondered if those around Megan could see the psychedelia... the weird paisley amoeba that float in the air. We were pretty sure River could see them... and that was confirmed here (unless I'm mistaken... which is possible). Midway through this issue, Teacup begins to "see" as well.
The ending battle was a bit convenient... and maybe ended too quickly. Loma was able to use her knowledge of all-things Megan, with a little bit of help from a character from a 1950's sitcom character, and turn astra-Megan's own hate against her.
Convenient... yeah, but not bad. The ending was satisfying, and as odd as it was to see Megan/Loma smile... it was a welcome sight. Things aren't all neat and tidy at the end either... but I'll leave that for readers to discover.
I mentioned Meta, so let's discuss that for a bit. As has been the trend, the story kind of lulls whenever we go "off planet". This issue is no exception. Whether that speaks to a weakness in the Metan characters or the overwhelming strength of Megan/Loma/Shade, I'm not sure. Here we've got LePuck under some sort of psychic interrogation as Rac Shade's lover attempts to procure the M-Vest from its glassy tomb. There is mention of "recruits", which tells me that this subplot will likely be slipping into the "main plot" sooner than later. Hopefully it will be more engaging then.
Overall, this issue provides something that many arc-enders don't... a real feeling that something actually ended. There is a measure of finality and character maturation. It seems to me that our next issue will reflect this shift in our six-month status quo. This was very good serial comic book storytelling with sub-plots bubbling away in the background waiting their turn to rise up. I am no longer "optimistic" for this book's future... right now I am simply a fan who is looking forward to what's to come.
Bits and Pieces:
A satisfying conclusion to Shade's opening arc. While convenience appeared to play a role, I was pleased with the story and character progression. Some long-lingering questions have been answered, and even more have been asked. Shade has over-delivered month after month, and I am excited for what's to come.
8.0 / 10
Me too next to Doom Patrol this is my favorite Young Animal title.
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