Full of love for kaiju and cartoons, Goliath Girls is the best of Comixology Originals
Comixology, one of the easiest platforms on which to buy and store comics, has expanded into creating original content. Much like parent company Amazon’s tactics when it comes to original video content, Comixology originals span a variety of different genres and formats and promise more to come.
One of the most recognizable names working on a Comixology title is Sam Humphries, who’s worked at Marvel, put out original work at Image and Boom!, and is currently working on Harley Quinn at DC. While his work ranges from political horror to magical slice-of-life, one of the most consistent parts of what he makes is creative and consistent characterization, especially when it comes to young people. Humphries has a particular skill at writing young women who sound believable and driven, framing relationships full of affection and strength. Seeing his name attached to a project like Goliath Girls is all but a guarantee of a story that will be character-driven and wild with adventure.
The premise is goofy and will immediately feel familiar to readers who are probably this comic’s prime demographic. It’s a kaiju comic, pitting monsters emerging from the underground against the humans who have survived the devastation so far. But instead of arming themselves with weapons or piloting giant mechs, these people have raised their own kaiju to combat the new dangers. It’s tapping into affection for Pacific Rim, Digimon, Gundam, and the over-the-top humor of Saturday morning cartoons and anime all at once, with the added benefit of focusing on meaningful and loving female friendships.
Humphries is joined by his Star-Lord And Kitty Pryde collaborator Miralti Firmansyah, whose art, combined with Brittany Peer’s bright and neon colors, pushes Goliath Girls into a cartoony vibe. Each of the characters has a distinct style and physical presence, with their body language and clothing telling readers a lot about them without any dialog. Firmansyah’s skill with facial expressions and art on Goliath Girls gives her a prime opportunity to feature panels that would look at home in manga and anime, whose characters are often more expressive than traditional Western comics. Characters can oscillate from big-eyed affection and baby talk to rage that can only be conveyed by fangs and being fully engulfed in flames, and both fit the book perfectly.
While the characters feel familiar and sit comfortably in tropes that have been explored before, it’s the world-building details that make Goliath Girls feel fresh and enticing. Juliet, Zelda, and Eunice are funny and affectionate in a way that women aren’t often allowed to be in comics, supportive while still calling each other out for bad behavior. The three of them have teamed up to raise and care for a kaiju they call Ginger Spice, a massive tentacled creature that looks like a chibi version of a Lovecraftian horror. There’s a satellite made out of what appears to be a wood paneled Jeep Grand Wagoneer, and a bright pink, fire-breathing caribou named Mango rounds out the team. Goliath Girls is building something great on the bones of a lot of beloved stories, and it’ll be exciting to see where the story goes in five issues. The barrier of entry is low, the target demographic is ripe for this kind of comic, and price point is excellent, especially since Comixology Unlimited subscribers can read it for free.