Issue 42

Title - Trading Places

Story - Bill Black

Penciller - Scott Nemmers

Inker - John Nadeau, David Mowry, Mark Heike

Cover Artists - Scott Nemmers and Mark Heike

Published 1991

Synopsis

• There are actually three stories in this one. The main story has the witch Alizarin Crimson creating havoc in Orlando on All Hallows Eve. Then there's a Purple Claw mini-comic which is a reprint of a story originally published in 1952. Finally, Tara's friend, Janis, is featured in a short story called "Shark Bait!" The review will focus on the main story.

Story

• An evening of relaxation will have to wait for Nightveil when She-Cat invites the Sorceress to an All-Hallows eve party. While on her way to join She-Cat and Stardust at the club, Nightveil runs into Alizarin Crimson who has decided to have a little fun of her own on Halloween by wreaking havoc. The witches match each other power for power until Alizarin Crimson flees just before Nightveil is about to be victorious. As Nightveil continues on to meet She-Cat and Dusty, Crimson renews her evil manipulations. Apprised of the strange goings on, Ms. Victory and Synn swing into action against the monsters Crimson has created. Nightveil, She-Cat, and Stardust are also drawn back into the fray when one of Crimson's creations bursts into the club where they're partying. Rocketman and Jet Girl even get into the action, and soon the witch is defeated and all is well. Or is it?
• I really liked -
  1. The Halloween theme provides for lots of monsters and action while keeping a a lighthearted approach.
  2. She-Cat entering Stardust into a wet t-shirt contest, Dusty winning, and Nightveil's reaction.
  3. Ms. Victory (Jennifer Burke) and Synn planning a prank on She-Cat, and the payoff.
  4. While the story's packed with action scenes, it also provides some insight into the Femforce members social lives when they're not in superheroine mode.
  5. The main story was broken into two sections with the Golden Age reprint story separating the two.
• I didn't like -
  1. Three different stories left the main story a little short.
  2. The appearance of Rocketman and Jet Girl comes out of nowhere.

Art

• Cover - Nightveil terrorized by ghouls.
• Splash Page - Nightveil returns to headquarters immersed in thought and prepares to take a relaxing shower.
• Generally - Interior art is in black and white. Mostly a straightforward 5-7 panel layout per page but the mystical battles and other action sequences are done in a more formless presentation. This works really well when Nightveil is first battling Alizarin Crimson.
• I really liked -
  1. The images of Nightveil on the first page are striking.
  2. Nightveil sealed in rock by Alizarin Crimson and then busting out!
  3. Synn's prank on She-Cat.
  4. Stardust battling in civilian clothes, a t-shirt and short shorts.
• I didn't like -
  1. She-Cat isn't in costume at the club but on the same page, with no passage of time, she's in costume when she's fighting the monster that bursts into the club.
  2. Nightveil's hair has too much body to be wet when she's taking a shower.
  3. Nightveil using her sorcery to pore herself a glass of wine while she's in the shower is good, but then why does she have to run to answer the phone?.

The Official Femforce Index Page for this Issue at Joe Ace's Site

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