Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
“The elements celebrate our vitality and abundance. With my feet on the ground and my eyes to the sky, I pulse with the power that feeds and connects us.”
Issue #3 of Groupies by Helen Mullane and Tula Lotay (art) is narrated by Gaia, another member of the group of girls touring with the rising rock band The Moon Show. While Issue #2 focused on Vera, whose fiery temper took center stage, Gaia comes across as far more laidback, relaxed, and spiritual. Unlike some of the other young women, Gaia also has a few ground rules to ensure she doesn’t get too emotionally entangled with the men she’s sleeping with.
For readers who aren’t into spiritual, hippie-type personalities, this issue may feel like a bit of a slog. Gaia takes acid with her friends and the band, launching into a long philosophical ramble about her lifestyle and beliefs. Despite this, the story maintains its suspense over the mysterious demonic or violent events unfolding. In an intriguing twist, Gaia dreams about a disturbing incident she is convinced was too vivid to be just a dream.
The artwork in this issue isn’t as dreamy as in previous installments and some of the character illustrations look noticeably different. For instance, Si, a member of The Moon Show, appears older and less visually appealing than in earlier issues. This could be a deliberate artistic choice, as his true nature – a short-tempered prick – is revealed. Perhaps Tula Lotay wanted his inner ugliness to bleed through the pages.
Issue #3 of Groupies reads like a slow-paced filler chapter, even at under 30 pages. The issue ends with a bloody cliffhanger, leaving readers to wonder whether the events are real or just the hallucinations of a drug-addled groupie.
You can read Groupies on Kindle Unlimited.
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