Heavy Vinyl: Y2K-O!

*3.5

This is really cute, the art is cute, the story is cute, the characters are cute. This is a really chill and fun read. What if the music scene had a secret organization looking out for them? This kinda explores this idea. Nothing too serious, just a fun read with some really nice art and characters!

~Ashley

Sweet, fun, and entertaining. I immediately picked up the next one and would totally read a third volume.

It's one of those I-really-want-to-like-this-book-but kind of books. It's about a group of young women who work in a Vinyl shop and are also part of a secret all-girl fight club. The problem is, I'm not fully sure what the purpose of the fight club is. They said they fight inequality, such as sexism, racism, or homophobia, but what the reader sees them do is help musicians whose problems don't seem to be discrimination-based. So far they've been doing detective work, so the premise is pretty much Spice Girls meet Totally Spies. Only Sam is Jerry (or Geri? Depends which one you prefer).

The story centered around a mystery behind a missing musician, while introducing us to the main cast, with a sub-plot of the protagonist trying to fit in with the group with an already established dynamic. However, I found the characters to be underdeveloped, the dialogues childish, and the main plot line, which was really convoluted, never really resolves.

The portrayal of male characters deserves a special mention, because this comic doesn't portray men very well. Yes, you have the protagonist's dad, who is just being a cartoon dad, but the other men are either jerks or idiots. I think the comic is trying to be feminist, but instead ends up contributing to the gender divide our society suffers from to this day.

On the other hand, his is only the first volume of what, I think, might eventually become a series, so the story (and the characters) might improve. I say “eventually”, because the last issue was released in November 2017. However, I do believe that with time this could become a really good comic. Action girls, lesbian romance, the 90's setting (which, so far, is more of a stylistic choice than a time period, but that can improve as well!) - all of this is something I like to see in fiction.

I think the main issue of this whole volume is that it's trying to present all its best features as quickly as possible. Some reviewers compared it with a pilot episode of a TV show. Everything wraps up hastily in the fourth issue, leaving no room for real drama, and no real closure to the story. If a second volume was released, I would definitely give it a chance, but I don't recommend reading this comic until it comes out.

I was staring at this comic while I was browsing the shop. I was only looking to buy single issues as I was low on funds but the staff member on the floor talked highly of it. Once she said how diverse and queer it was, I had to buy it. I don't regret my purchase since I always want to support anything LGBTQ+ related. Also, its published by BOOM! Box a division of Boom which published the Buffy comic which I loved. Needless to say I was looking forward to reading this today.

What I liked: The LGBTQ+ representation. The main character Chris is a lesbian who is crushing on Maggie. All the main characters are female which is refreshing! The nostalgia feeling I got while reading this. Since it takes place in 1998 a lot of the music references are from that 90's era and I was here for it! A bunch of vigilante chicks fighting evil doers is always okay in my book. The character Chris was my favorite, I enjoyed her awkwardness and her crushing on her coworker.

What I didn't like: This 1998 seems to be hate free which is extremely unrealistic. Nobody batted their eyes at Chris being openly gay, Maggie having 2 dads, or anything else. The plot seems a bit much. A bunch of record store employees are in a fight club, fighting the evil music industry? The last issue felt rushed and nothing is resolved. Why was the code put on the album? Whats going to happen next?

Artwork: Was amazingly drawn! It was neat and clean.

I'll probably buy Volume 2 if it ever gets released but I really want to see more relationship development between Chris and Maggie. I also want the plot to be a bit more clearer on who the villain is.

lovely art style, great diverse cast of kickass girls and an interesting concept

its definitely entertaining to read

the pacing of the first volume is a bit off for me personally, theres a lot happening in 4 issues that might have been better if it had been spread out a bit more, but its still fun

3.5 stars