Review: Marceline and the Scream Queens #2

SPOILERS BELOW!

What: Marceline and the Scream Queens #2

Who: Writer- Meredith Gran, Faith Erin Hicks (backup story)

Art: Meredith Gran, Faith Erin Hicks (backup story)

I went into the first issue of this series fully expecting it to have a different tone from what I’m used to with Adventure Time comic. Marceline and Princess Bubblegum are, after all, no Finn and Jake, which means they certainly wouldn’t be running around spouting catchphrases and beating lots of thing up. The premise is certainly exciting- Marceline is punk rock, while Princess Bubblegum is the level-headed one. Two differing personalities on a tour just scream for epic craziness to ensue.

The first issue set up the premise: Marceline is going on tour with her band, the Scream Queens. Princess Bubblegum, who has a newfound love for Marceline’s music, decides to join them as the band’s manager. It was a rather slow start to a series that, being an AT fan, I have really high hopes for. Unfortunately the first issue felt like some of the worst episodes of “Lost.” You got a lot of information, but at the end, you kind feel like you didn’t really see anything significant.

The second issue moves at such a clip that, in the end, it felt just as unsatisfying as issue #1. In 15 short pages we see:

-The band after a night of going on a “red bender.”

-The band getting interviewed by a squirrel.

 -The band coincidentally meeting Lord Slicko Vandalstine, “the hottest producer in Ooo,” on the way to their next gig.   

-Marceline lunching with said producer, who takes a liking to her eccentricity.

-The revelation that Guy is a Werewolf.

-The band performing in Misfit City.

With two issues down and four left I’m really hoping that the set-up is over with and that the real fun can begin. The end of issue two certainly points in that direction, with Marceline leaping off the stage in a red fury and attacking Vandalstine in front of the audience. Gran knows the characters and the art is solid but the story so far hasn’t made me eager to recommend it.

The back-up story, Grumpy Butt, by Faith Erin Hicks is pure Adventure Time. The band is performing in the land of Blooo and Marceline is unhappy about the lack of red to eat. Fortunately, PB happens to have invented a robot that paints things red. Hicks captures the voices of Princess Bubblegum and Marceline perfectly. The art doesn’t feel at all like Adventure Time, but that’s not a bad thing. It’s superb and fits the story well. So far, the back-up stories have been the highlight of the series.