The deluxe hardcover edition.
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, 40×40. Ed. Rantz Hoseley, Cat Mihos et al. Z2 Comics. 160pp. 2022. $40 for hardcover.
“Doing Alright with the Boys” by Wiktoria Radkiewicz
Comics anthologies come and go all too quickly. But, given a little time and patience, some will return, emerge, finally arrive. Here is a great case in point, a wonderfully zany comics anthology from a few years ago that is devoted to Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. My guess is that at least half, maybe more, of the talented crew of writer and artists were either too young, or not even born, to enjoy Joan in her heyday. I was. And I can tell you that she hit the pop culture scene (“I Love Rock n Roll” released in 1981) like a bat out of hell, although perhaps a rather polished up bat. Not that I ever had any problem at all with Joan Jett. There was a time when I would have obeyed any order she gave me. Perhaps I still would!
“Bits and Pieces,” written by Barbara Kesel, Line Art by Aneke Murillenem, Color by Kelly Fitzpatrick
Here’s the thing, Joan Jett was (still is) an original and she made it despite the media machine that I think could have easily derailed her career before it even started. Her brand began as a loud and brash singer who loved the old rock ‘n’ roll: a fuzzy nostalgic nod back to some simpler time when you “put a dime in the jukebox, baby.” Huh? This would have been way before Joan Jett’s time. The lyrics made no sense, really. And, at this point, Joan Jett had fallen into the trap of massive marketing packaging. Well it happens to the best of ’em. I’m taking the long view, looking back historically to the earliest days of pop culture.
“Nag,” written by Annie Zaleski, art by Andrea Bell
Put it simply, Joan Jett had the street cred as part of The Runaways and had to navigate the world of super pop stardom by the time she was part of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Another fine example is the marketing make-over that John “Cougar” Mellencamp had to endure and the process he had to go through to prove his own artistic integrity. Like I say about comics anthologies, if you give something enough time, the good stuff will reveal itself.
“You’re Too Possessive” by Hannah Templer
After all, there was always something about Joan Jett. If Elivs Presley could be forced to literally sing to a hound dog, then I think Joan Jett’s real talent and star power could survive having her image oversaturated. I’m sure that too much exposure made it seem like it all came too easy for Joan Jett. On April 18, 2015, over 30 years after her first hit song that launched her career, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. You can’t tell me there wasn’t a lot of resentment and prejudice over Joan becoming a rocker It Girl. But the passage of time wins out. It’s great now to see Joan Jett celebrated in this comics anthology, with fresh eyes, focusing on the music, lyrics and overall vibe. I think what this collection does best is a combination of celebrating the content along with the band’s spirit, and that’s important in this ongoing process that public figures go through, well beyond their own lifetimes. The process to return, emerge, and finally arrive once again, over and over, forever.
Here’s the thing about anthologies. You must have a clear plan of action, a clear theme, and a unified effort. I should be able to call up any two random examples and they should be able to speak to the book as a whole. What I get from this book is an amazing showcase of talent with creators tackling the Joan Jett theme from a wide variety of viewpoints. Yes, it’s very important to know what your anthology is about and this book is very clear and follows through. I would have this book easily nominated for this or that award. I swear, the mighty comics industry, to a very discernible degree, will listen is you’re simply loud enough and this book packs a lot of volume. I am curious to learn more about each and everyone involved with this book. And I’ll do my utmost best to update you on my findings.
