Sep 14

Sep 14 ADVANCE REVIEW: Glamorella's Daughter #5

Female Lead, POC Lead, Independent Comics, Literati Press

Glamorella’s Daughter #5 is written by Charles J. Martin and drawn and lettered by Jerry Bennett, with color assistance by Jessica Bennett. Sensitivity editing was done by Laron Chapman, while Chloe Harrison and Steve “Echo” Gooch handled general editing. Literati Press publishes Glamorella’s Daughter.

From the start of the series, the portal that leads to-and-from Glamorella’s homeworld has been a source of stress. Emmett and his team of scientists struggled to open it. Glamorella warned them not to. When they did open it, it became apparent that she was right, that her world was far too dangerous for them. And then Emmett was captured by Glamorella’s father and dragged through the portal to the other world.

In Glamorella’s Daughter #5, Comet travels through the portal, accompanied enthusiastically by Isaac and reluctantly by her “friend” Betsy and her mother, Glamorella. It’s the moment of truth for Glamorella and Comet. Glamorella faces things she’s pushed away for years to live a normal (for a superhero) life and care for her daughter. And Comet gains a new understanding and respect for her mother.

Glamorella loves Comet, and Comet loves her mother, but they aren’t often on the same page, a common occurrence between parents and their children as they grow. And when your mom is an interdimensional superhero, I think that would add an entirely new challenge. Martin has wonderfully handled the complex relationship between mother and daughter, and it’s incredibly satisfying to see it continue to evolve in Glamorella’s Daughter #5.

Comet is still uncomfortable discussing emotions, or visible displays of emotion (such as crying), changing the subject abruptly when Glamorella begins to cry while discussing her past. And I get it- if someone starts crying in front of me, there’s a high chance I’ll freeze up and have no idea what to do.

I love the way Bennett chose to illustrate how Comet feels overwhelmed by everything her mother says. Glamorella’s speech bubble keeps growing, expanding as it pushes Comet to the side of the panel before breaking the boundaries. She feels like the weight of all of this information is crushing her. In contrast, Isaac and Betsy comfort Glamorella, offering her a handkerchief and holding her hand. They know what behaviors are expected and take this in stride. It’s a fantastic representation of the difference between someone neurotypical and someone who is neurodivergent. Though it’s debatable if Isaac is neurotypical or not- if he is, he has learned how to pick up on social cues, unlike Comet.

As the series has expanded, the cast has grown accordingly. Glamorella’s Daughter #5 introduces new characters who work for Glamorella’s father, the king. These characters are a giraffe, some sort of mole, and a mountain rat. A dead mountain rat, as the giraffe repeatedly informs the mole. While these new characters provide some comedic relief, Martin hints that their role will become more complex.

Overall, Glamorella’s Daughter #5 is an excellent continuation of a story that has been incredibly heartfelt and emotional while balancing intrigue and excitement.