Review by Larry Stanley

Over the last few months I have had the chance to review some really great books, but one has been filled with amazing art, a great story, humor and even societal commentary.
Bomb Queen, the new Jimmie Robinson creation is one of the best books I have read this year. Not just for the art, which I normally don't give a rat's butts about (unless it really sucks) but this time seems to be a cross between a Hustler Honey and a above average pin-up quality.
And not just for a story that combines science fiction, humor and pathos; I guess it is a combination of all of those things. Yes, many other books do that including some Marvel and DC books but with Bomb Queen it seems to be in just the right mix that makes the difference between a good cook and a highly trained Chef.
Both cook a great meal, but only one is a true artist at their job. And Robinson seems to have captured that and more. His story of the dictator of New Port City, an over sexed, unrepentant super-villain, who has wiped out all the local heroes, re-wrote the city laws in her favor, and set herself up as ruler for life is almost a perfect story. Well, as close to perfect as I have seen in quite a while.
And the social commentary aspect of the whole thing? The citizens of New Port City couldn't be happier. Well, happy is probably a relative term; how about "They just don't care as long as things run right"?
There are certain areas of New Port City that are called 'Crime Free' zones. This does not mean there is no crime in these places, but that the crimes are 'Free'. No punishment, as it were. Drugs, prostitution, murder, all can be found in the crime free areas.
Prostitution that included pedophilia in fact. One scene shows a reporter who thinks he is off camera making plans to buy a twelve year old girl for a few hours.
And this is acceptable to the people of the city. They don't care who runs the trains as long as they are on time. Bomb Queen is the perfect ruler for these people, dangerous, deadly and on the outside beautiful. So are her subjects.
But not all of the citizens enjoy or like this life. Robert Woods thinks the people need peace and equality, so he does something truly amazing, he brings a hero to town. But, does he have an ulterior motive?
To often a creator does not understand the differences between good writing and 'shock writing' where both elicit an emotional response from the reader. In 'shock writing' the author will reveal something every page to the point where we become immune to what is going on within the story. We still read, but now we are reading looking for the 'wham' and knowing it is going to be there. There is no suspense, no anticipation of action, just a knowledge of action.
Robinson seems to understand this. While he keeps the action going from page to page, and often from panel to panel, he keeps it light and easy; right up until he smacks you upside the head with something you didn't expect. Which is why Bomb Queen keeps some suspense in the story.
Sure, you have a pretty good idea of what is going to happen but you are never sure when it will happen, to who or how. Which makes for a lot of fun.
No, the book is not to be taken serious and I think Robinson wants the reader to understand that. It is not a 'guide book' of how the future should be, but more a warning letter how what we could turn into.