Bitch Planet Vol. 2: President Bitch
Writer: Kelly Sue Deconnick
Artist: Valentine De Landro
Colorist: Kelly Fitzpatrick
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Publisher: Image Comics
A review by Hafsa Alkhudairi
Bitch Planet Vol. 2 was exactly what I needed to sooth my feminist soul for the time being! Volume 2 showed strong and different women taking back control and power. Although there was help by some male characters, they were just cogs on the wheel of a plan they already had in place. The reveal of certain characters made me smile for they showed how certain people’s privilege and entitlement can easily be interpreted as oppression by having an authority figure look like whoever they consider historically as “other”.
DeConnick also did not shy away from addressing how people in prison can be treated so atrociously by those in charge by becoming somewhat free labour and free lab rats. That is one of the issues that intersects with the feminist narrative of non-compliancy that was addressed in this awesome volume.
Issue #6 of Bitch Planet Vol. 2 has to be addressed on its own because it is a beautiful reflection of how a minority family resisted against what was wrong for them. The recollection of what pushed Meiko to the point that she was sent to jail was beautifully done. Moreover, there is an interesting plug about how some people fetishize other cultures and think that gives them license to other people’s bodies. Issue #6 is amazing for taking on this theme, but also sexual assault, blackmail, defiance, and powerful woman. It presents the perfect introduction to Bitch Planet Vol. 2
Following the first volume’s art and style, the rest of Bitch Planet Vol. 2‘s art style is consistent. The intensity of the narrative is reflected in the art De Landro uses. The experience of the comic is highlighted by the style, paneling, and the intersection of the verbal and visual narrative. The narrative is intersectional on so many fronts, especially with the opening twelve panel sequence of every issue that gives a glimpse to what is to come.
The Verdict
Buy it! Bitch Planet Vol. 2 is as good, if not better, than the first volume. It is consistent in style and tone, other than issue 6, and includes a very intersectional perspective, as well as tackles issues of inter-feminist disagreement and privilege. I loved this volume because it shows acts of resistance and the creators have brought in consultants to help them with details they were not fully capable of exploring without actual experience. This volume showed how sequels should be handled with its separate, but continuous narrative.
