America #3

Previously in America #2

America is trying to find herself at a time when America the country has lost its damn mind. Someone referred to this series — in an unsolicited response to my last two reviews — as “racist drivel.” Imagine being so privileged, so used to having EVERYTHING made in your image and for your comfort that you can read two issues of a comic book featuring a brown, shapely, queer woman and be threatened.

He better go sit the hell down somewhere.

As America takes off, fists ready, to rescue her girlfriend (ex-girlfriend?) Lisa, she remembers what it was like trying to find her place in the world. From the Bronx to Colombia, America found people who looked like her and welcome her, but it wasn’t until she met Lisa did America feel at home.

Still, as important as Lisa is to her, America can’t fly off, opening dimensions and acting out of anger. It’s clear America is special and that something bigger than herself is guiding her. She takes an unexpected detour against her will to the X-Men’s Danger Room (virtual reality training center) where Storm tries to teach America how to channel her energy differently. America doesn’t do hugs and rainbows though, and has to go through it her way. Hey, whatever gets the job done.

When she finally reaches the planet Maltixa, America discovers that her fan club took Lisa in order to draw America back to protect them. The mysterious being she took care of at the start of the series has returned and has been terrorizing their home ever since. With the help of Leelumultipass Phi Theta Betas, and Lisa taking care of the wounded, America gets ready to settle this score once and for all.

Not my favorite of the three issues so far, but there’s still a lot to love here. America is strong, no doubt, but she does act of fear a lot. Doing things Storm’s way wasn’t who America is, and it was great seeing her use her strength to gain enlightenment. As before, the art is vibrant and jumps off the page and America’s facial expressions make her feel like a real person.

I, too, like America, wants to know the story behind “Thunderclap,” though.