Kimber and Stormer Are A Fierce Lesbian Couple In New "Jem and the Holograms" Comic
The leading ladies of Jem and the Holograms are getting a makeover some 30 years after debuting on Saturday-morning television—but the stylish update is more than skin deep.
In new artwork released in advance of the new Jem and the Hologram comic coming next month, Jem is almost unrecognizable—if it weren't for her "truly outrageous" pink hair and signature star earrings, we're not sure we'd know its her.
But it's not just fashion that's getting tweaked: In an interview with the Advocate, Jem writer Kelly Thompson and artist Ross Campbell reveal major updates to the Jem universe, including the fact that Kimber and Stormer will be a lesbian couple.
In the original cartoon, Kimber is Jem/Jerica's sister, and a member of the Holograms. She had a complex friendship with Stormer, a keytar player for their rivals, the troublemaking Misfits.
"Kimber and Stormer are indeed both out gay characters in the comic and, as Tumblr will very excitedly let you know, we’re going to be exploring a romantic relationship between the two characters," said Thompson. "We have some other plans for LGBTA+ characters, as well, but it’s still early days."
She added, "Jem was always really diverse, but it was of course a bit limited by the time period and by being a children’s cartoon. It’s only natural that a modern Jem includes additional diversity."
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From bottom left: Jem, Aja, Kimber and Stormer[/caption]
Echoing that sentiment, Campbell hints that LGBT story lines won't stop there.
"We're discussing a few others," she said. "Beyond those I’m really hoping to see some more queer characters. It just really needs to happen. I’d love to have some gay Holograms or Misfits fans in the story. That would be awesome."
Asked why Jem became a cult favorite among the gay community (episodes of Jiz, anyone?), Thompson explained:
It was definitely about women and it was about music and fashion and fame, but there was also a high-octane adventure aspect to it, which probably helped young boys feel okay about watching what they might otherwise have perceived to be a “girls' show”
...For many of them, they found something that spoke more powerfully to them than a lot of the other stuff they were being offered. Jem was really unique and special in that way, and I think it means a lot to the fans, then and now.
Hopefully, the Stormer-Kimber relationship will carry on into the Jem and the Holograms movie now being produced by Scooter Braun and G.I. Joe director Jon M. Chu.
Check out more new artwork below.
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The Misfits[/caption]
