The thing about “Geek-Girl” is that just when you think things couldn’t get any weirder, here comes some crazed shenanigans that gives you a new appreciation of your mundane life. After the aborted rescue of their villainous leader Pig-Head, and his girlfriend being trapped in a sort of void, the two remaining are put into a rehabilitation program called The Diner. Xie, the co-runner of the place is a legit looking robot. Think of a slim down version of Robby the Robot from the 1958 film “Forbidden Planet.” Xie uses his body to tell whether Delphi is lying about her situation. This creepy, invasive process that’s part of Delphi’s treatment reflects what most of us would do – hold things back. Why would you tell this metallic thing your real motivations? Sentient or a puppet’s tool, we don’t know the true motivations of this place or who’s behind it.
Then there’s Summer. As you read her story you wonder why her lack of confidence puts her in the hands of folks she shouldn’t trust. Her willfully ignorant belief that everything is going to work out makes you want to scream at her. This fictional character is so much like that person who is creative, smart, and capable but lacks the confidence to do what she is meant to do, such as being a fashion designer. Instead, she tries to be a superhero, with only the basic skillset of someone who’s been living on Flatbush their whole lives. Because you can defend yourself fairly well doesn’t mean you should be chasing villains with deadly powers. The most awkward and funny moment of this comic is when she’s going to sign her contract. The lawyer is relatively normal in appearance but insists that the puppet he has is to put people at ease, but it continually stares at Summer the entire time. Mr. Phenomenal directs the puppet in her direction, as if the puppet is moving by itself as each time Summer moves. What’s even more confusing is how much Summer doesn’t know what she’s getting into. With each panel of his discussing the contract for her to be part of a nefarious group of so-called heroes, you see levels of Mr. Phenomenal’s concern for Summer, which quickly goes from confused to deeply alarming. You get the sense that he wants to say Girl, you in danger, run. This is what makes comics fun. Even though the lawyer is questioning Summer, it’s the look on his face, his posture, the way he holds the puppet that’s causes you to laugh out loud.
Still, nothing is funnier than what’s happening to Ruby Kaye. With her powers and identity stolen, the original Geek Girl’s attempt at reclaiming them only makes things worse. She telepaths her movements and says aloud her intentions like some 1980’s Skeletor-type bad guy. When there’s an adverse reaction between the thief and Ruby, the confusion on her face says everything. Ruby is also not confident in her abilities and even less so since they’ve been leached from her. She drifts back in her memory to when she won the glasses in a card game. In her flashback, Summer encourages her to become something great. You can hear the music swell, but instead of a high point, there’s a crash. It’s the identity thief who’s triumphant as the electricity between them intensifies.
“Geek-Girl” works best with its interconnected narratives. It’s fun, with a sense of urgent danger. No one is safe. And even though Ruby Kaye is the titled character, she doesn’t have to be the star of the comic. Will Ruby want her identity back after what the identity thief is doing to it? Will Delphi survive her rehabilitation, and will a deluded Summer find her path in life?
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