Grrl Scouts: Magic Socks is the type of series that seems impossible to exist for a variety of reasons. First of which is the insane graffiti style art that’s unconventional and wicked. Second is the incredibly adult nature of the book from the language to downright sexually explicit material. Thirdly it’s a story that’s wacked out to the point where many won’t get its deeper meaning. We delve into the fourth issue to answer the question, is it good?
So what’s it about?
The official summary reads:
Daphne travels to the Other Side to discover the truth about the Magic Socks. Gwen and Rita mourn Daphne’s death through an intense night of partying. Josie ascends to pop-icon status. This ish is stuffed to the gills with an action-packed story, bonus art, soundtrack, and sketchbook. Plus, a variant cover by the art world’s newest sensation, the amazing Lauren YS!
Why does this matter?
Jim Mahfood is a freaking madman and I’ve loved every second of his work. His style is insane and blurs the line between abstract and conventional comic style art. This series has been filled with drugs, sex, and violence — it’s the grindhouse of comics.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
This looks familiar.
Hunter S. Thompson fans need to read this. Like seriously, stop reading this review and just go buy it. He ends up being the spirit guide to Daphne which of course involves a lot of drugs. Mahfood draws these afterlife scenes in the style of Ralph Steadman, but of course with Mahfood’s rhythm and madness. These scenes are a touch explicit–you see Daphne naked for much of it–but it suits this story and never feels gratuitous. Being some sort of afterlife, Mahfood can really cut loose in these scenes piling art on top of art in unconventional and interesting ways. These scenes intercut with the real world and also end this book which is a cool way to go out on a trippy note.
The scenes in the real world use the style Mahfood has been using throughout the series and continue to reflect and comment on society. The fakeness of music is a big topic explored as the villain has a hit new song called “My P---y Lips,” which is considered by the media as “a new wave of unbridled feminism.” Groan. Mahfood captures the madness of the public who love this evil lady unconditionally even when she murders folks on live TV. Things get very out of hand later when folks who want these songs censored show up. It’s all very over the top.
Justin Stewart continues to lay down some great colors on this work too. The brightness of the real world is nearly like a cartoon while the Hunter S. Thompson afterlife has the perfect look to match the illustrations in his books. There’s a lot of navigate with Mahfood’s style and Stewart does so wonderfully.
Grant Morrison exists in this world!
It can’t be perfect can it?
Damn does this issue get explicit! Breasts were always a thing in this series, but expect to see some penises, a woman getting her butt eaten out, and even some pooping going on. Again, it’s so over the top that’s the joke, but I’m sure many will not want to read this because the content is so explicit. Thankfully you never lose the humorous angle and it’s gratuitous with a message behind it. Simply put, it’s not selling out for nobody!
Is It Good?
Mahfood’s Grrl Scouts: Magic Socks is intense and a comic book experience like no other. It’s explicit and will offend, but the best art always does.
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