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SLAM! #1-4
SLAM! Vol. 1
When life starts coming at you like a freight train, you have two options: run away screaming or lean into the hit.
From the first day of Fresh Meat Orientation for the Eastside Roller Girls, Jennifer and Maisie knew they’d be fast friends. But when they’re drafted to different teams, the pull of competition — and their increasingly messy personal lives — threaten to drive them apart. In roller derby you take your hits, get back up, and learn how to be a better jammer, a better blocker, a better lover, and a better friend. Derby can heal your heart...but it might break a bone or two in the process.
Bestselling novelist, screenwriter, and retired Los Angeles Derby Doll Pamela Ribon (Going In Circles, Why Girls Are Weird) joins artist Veronica Fish (Archie, Silk) for a tale of friendship, heartbreak, and truly epic jams.
From the first day of Fresh Meat Orientation for the Eastside Roller Girls, Jennifer and Maisie knew they’d be fast friends. But when they’re drafted to different teams, the pull of competition — and their increasingly messy personal lives — threaten to drive them apart. In roller derby you take your hits, get back up, and learn how to be a better jammer, a better blocker, a better lover, and a better friend. Derby can heal your heart...but it might break a bone or two in the process.
Bestselling novelist, screenwriter, and retired Los Angeles Derby Doll Pamela Ribon (Going In Circles, Why Girls Are Weird) joins artist Veronica Fish (Archie, Silk) for a tale of friendship, heartbreak, and truly epic jams.
112 pages, Paperback
First published August 8, 2017
14 people are currently reading
1873 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Ribon
44 books446 followersPamela Ribon is a screenwriter (Moana, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Bears), performer, TV writer, comic book writer, best-selling novelist, and a Film Independent Directing Lab Fellow.
She is currently adapting her original comic book series SLAM! — co-created with Veronica Fish — as an animated half-hour with Rooster Teeth and Minnow Mountain for HBO Max. She is attached to direct (with Paul Franklin) her live-action feature adaptation of her critically-acclaimed graphic novel My Boyfriend is a Bear (co-created with Cat Farris). She is also adapting her comedic memoir NOTES TO BOYS (AND OTHER THINGS I SHOULDN’T SHARE IN PUBLIC) as an animated series for FX’s CAKE.
Pamela was a flagship contributor to Television Without Pity, and is known as a pioneer in the blogging world with pamie.com, where she launched such viral essays as “How I Might Have Just Become the Newest Urban Legend” and “Barbie Fucks it Up Again,” the latter of which led to #FeministHackerBarbie, a revamp of Mattel’s products and marketing for Barbie, and the creation of Game Developer Barbie as “Career of the Year.” Pamela’s stage work has been showcased at the HBO US Comedy Arts Festival and she created the accidental international scandal known as Call Us Crazy: The Anne Heche Monologues.
A former Austinite with a BFA in Acting from the University of Texas, Pamela has been entered into the Oxford English Dictionary under “muffin top.” That is not a joke. @pamelaribon | she/her
She is currently adapting her original comic book series SLAM! — co-created with Veronica Fish — as an animated half-hour with Rooster Teeth and Minnow Mountain for HBO Max. She is attached to direct (with Paul Franklin) her live-action feature adaptation of her critically-acclaimed graphic novel My Boyfriend is a Bear (co-created with Cat Farris). She is also adapting her comedic memoir NOTES TO BOYS (AND OTHER THINGS I SHOULDN’T SHARE IN PUBLIC) as an animated series for FX’s CAKE.
Pamela was a flagship contributor to Television Without Pity, and is known as a pioneer in the blogging world with pamie.com, where she launched such viral essays as “How I Might Have Just Become the Newest Urban Legend” and “Barbie Fucks it Up Again,” the latter of which led to #FeministHackerBarbie, a revamp of Mattel’s products and marketing for Barbie, and the creation of Game Developer Barbie as “Career of the Year.” Pamela’s stage work has been showcased at the HBO US Comedy Arts Festival and she created the accidental international scandal known as Call Us Crazy: The Anne Heche Monologues.
A former Austinite with a BFA in Acting from the University of Texas, Pamela has been entered into the Oxford English Dictionary under “muffin top.” That is not a joke. @pamelaribon | she/her
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 368 reviews
August 2, 2018
In the fast-paced, hard-hitting, super cheeky, all-female world of banked track roller derby, two young women will have to decide if their budding friendship is stronger than the pull of a team when a win is on the line.
Reading this comic right after having watched the Netflix series GLOW felt like the perfect thing to get into next.
Similar to the above, not only do we have the badassness of derby to keep us entertained, the visuals in SLAM! are remarkably eye-catching. From the illustrations to the color palettes, it was hard not to get caught up in the world of roller derby.
And bonus points, the dialogue was actually engaging and even had its memorable laugh-out-loud moments here and there. We also have discussions about the difficulties of balancing your personal life with sports. Mom friends. Supporting friends holding posters with puns in the crow. Maintaining your friendships on and off the track. And a bunch more is included over the course of these four issues.
Also, I loved spotting the many feminist shirts in the panels:
On that note, here are some of my favorite illustrated moments:
Those witty commentaries:
And those cute budding romances:
Which then leads to Maisie (aka "Can-Can") being on cloud nine, similar to how Noora Sætre acted when she also got laid towards the end of Skam season four.
I mean, this is just a huge parallel:
Source
Cute 2.0:
The dude even prepared a cheesy supportive poster:
And last but note least, I'll always shout-out my fellow mom friends:
All in all: I'm ecstatic to see what's in store for these badass ladies in the near future. I'm just sad that I have to wait nearly two months to find out what happens in the next issue.
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December 22, 2018
A story set in the brutal world of punk Roller Derby. We have 2 new freshies or fresh meat that try out for the team and their life is slowly changed by the ruff and rumble world of roller derby. They make sister and friends and find who they are in this world. They get tough and learn to enjoy their bruises.
I loved the movie “whip it” when it came out. I own that movie and have watched it many times. That story had more focus on the main character and this is a good story, but ‘Whip It’ is far better. I still enjoy this colorful take on the genre and we can always use more roller derby. I’m much to soft for this world, but I like being an observer to it. Tough girls are awesome. I’ll be back for more of this.
I loved the movie “whip it” when it came out. I own that movie and have watched it many times. That story had more focus on the main character and this is a good story, but ‘Whip It’ is far better. I still enjoy this colorful take on the genre and we can always use more roller derby. I’m much to soft for this world, but I like being an observer to it. Tough girls are awesome. I’ll be back for more of this.
July 17, 2018
The aspect I enjoyed most about this volume is Fish's artwork. It's vivid & beautiful & who could pass up that cover?! That being said, I found myself disappointed in the story as a whole. Its pacing is fast, too fast to truly be invested in the character's narratives. The plot is all over the place- even after reading the first 4 issues I still don't feel as if I genuinely care about the MCs to continue on. Sadly Jennifer & Maisie aren't fleshed out enough for me to believe in their friendship. The scene changes felt abrupt at times, trying to squeeze too much story into individual issues. Also I do feel let down that in a powerful story of roller derby there is no 🏳️🌈 representation. :(
I'm not sure whether I will continue on with the series. I want to give it another chance, but considering I didn't enjoy the actual text within, I'll have to accept it's a dud for me.
I'm not sure whether I will continue on with the series. I want to give it another chance, but considering I didn't enjoy the actual text within, I'll have to accept it's a dud for me.
March 5, 2018
It's a graphic novel about roller derby that doesn't have lesbians???? I feel cheated. I read something about sports ball for no reason.
October 14, 2018
I LOVED THIS, holy moly! Set in a world of roller derbys and fast-paced action, I really liked the cast of characters and the illustrations throughout. The main characters Jennifer and Maisie meet and create a friendship until the moment both of them end up competing against each other on rival teams. Can't recommend this one highly enough if you are looking for a visual, quick read!
December 4, 2017
This was such a cute comic! I've heard of roller derby but this definitely gave me a better and more in-depth explanation of the game. We follow two main characters who go from being rookies to a part of a team. It was amazing to see their growth and development as players and as individuals. Through the game their friendship is challenged, but they find ways to push through. I loved the artwork. It was vibrant and beautiful. And I really enjoyed the plot itself. I'm looking forward to move from this story and characters.
December 10, 2020
This was quite a fun read, i know a little about derby so it was easy to get through and was enjoyable. It would have been a 4* but it felt a bit rushed for a first volume and I didn't feel like I got to know the characters all that well, the art was lovely though.
January 7, 2021
first graphic novel of the year 🦄
November 26, 2017
--
I have had this one sitting on my shelf for a little while now and I finally found the time to pick it up! I'm glad I did as I ended up really enjoying it! It's filled with badass women playing one of the craziest sports I've ever come across. Seriously, roller derby gives football and hockey a run for its money! The art was wonderful and I think it did a really great job in depicting all of the girls! The story was a tad bland at times and I was really waiting for it to pick up. It started to at the end, but then it kind of fizzled. I feel like this would have been a great time for a slightly more cliffhanger-type ending!
Overall, I really enjoyed this one and I'm eager to read volume 2!
February 13, 2019
4 Let's roll STARS
Si alguna vez han sentido curiosidad por el Roller Dervy, este es el libro para ti. Y si no tienes idea de que es este deporte, no te preocupes porque aquí aprenderás de forma muy sencilla
Una historia simple y entretenida, que nos muestra la vida de dos jóvenes mujeres completamente diferentes, que encuentra un punto de unión en este deporte.
Una historia de superación personal, valentía, amistad, y mucha mucha perseverancia.
Aunque para mí lo mejor de este comic es el arte, la combinación de colores es tan extravagante que es imposible no perderse en los detalles de cada imagen.
Con personajes multiculturales, y muchos golpes, es un comic muy recomendable, no se lo pueden perder.
Si alguna vez han sentido curiosidad por el Roller Dervy, este es el libro para ti. Y si no tienes idea de que es este deporte, no te preocupes porque aquí aprenderás de forma muy sencilla
Una historia simple y entretenida, que nos muestra la vida de dos jóvenes mujeres completamente diferentes, que encuentra un punto de unión en este deporte.
Una historia de superación personal, valentía, amistad, y mucha mucha perseverancia.
Aunque para mí lo mejor de este comic es el arte, la combinación de colores es tan extravagante que es imposible no perderse en los detalles de cada imagen.
Con personajes multiculturales, y muchos golpes, es un comic muy recomendable, no se lo pueden perder.
August 18, 2017
#accurate
August 14, 2017
Honestly, between Giant Days and Lumberjanes and this, Boom Box is becoming a must read publisher for me.
I adored this graphic. I loved the art and the realistic story. I found it went a bit too fast for me, almost like they didn't flesh out the stories enough, but I still THOROUGHLY enjoyed it. I will definitely pick up more from this series/these authors and artists.
I adored this graphic. I loved the art and the realistic story. I found it went a bit too fast for me, almost like they didn't flesh out the stories enough, but I still THOROUGHLY enjoyed it. I will definitely pick up more from this series/these authors and artists.
October 18, 2017
I love the thick-thigh positivity in this comic. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because I think it's bull that the two main girls are not DATING!!! What's the deal with this unnecessary hetero story line when clearly the two girls are in love ?
October 12, 2018
For some reason, I was expecting this to be gay (spoiler alert: it wasn't). However, it was an enjoyable and different story with a plus-sized main character and beautiful art.
February 20, 2020
Slam! is a really fun graphic novel! If you like reading about female friendship, and especially if you enjoyed the movie Whip It, you should check this book out. I'm hoping to read volume 2 soon!
September 6, 2017
Really enjoyed this! Solid story and great art by Veronica. Have been such a huge fan of her work on the Archie, Silk, and Spider-Woman series so have been looking forward to this one for ages. Definitely delivered! Highly recommend for fans of Roller Girl, Whip It, and Netflix's Glow.
March 23, 2019
LOVED!!! 😍
July 1, 2019
THIS WAS SO GREAT.
It definitely felt like a set up for the story to come, rather than a fully fledged arc itself, but if how much I enjoyed this is anything to go by, I have no doubt I’m going to adore this series.
It definitely felt like a set up for the story to come, rather than a fully fledged arc itself, but if how much I enjoyed this is anything to go by, I have no doubt I’m going to adore this series.
October 4, 2019
A very quick and fun read with a great art style! Had tons of fun!
May 11, 2018
4,25 / 5
La guionista y jugadora profesional de Roller Derby Pamela Ribon se une a la artista Veronica Fish (Archie) para traernos la historia de amistad entre Jennifer y Maise, dos chicas que acaban de descubrir el Roller Derby. Durante los cuatro números de este volumen veremos como ambas se apuntan a las pruebas, son escogidas por diferentes equipos para competir y como forjan una amistad que solo las jugadoras de este rápido y duro deporte tienen. De fondo descubriremos todo un deporte de nicho en Estados Unidos adrenalínico donde el físico es lo menos importante.
SLAM! Vol. 1 es una especie de spokon que equilibra a la perfección su parte deportiva (presentandonos el deporte) y una trama de amistad entre dos chicas que se distancian con el tiempo. El único fallo que le veo a SLAM! es que Ribon no nos da tiempo suficiente en estos cuatro números para que la relación entre Jennifer y Maise se sienta tan fuerte y sólida. Solo nos permite acceder a algunos fragmentos, algunos momentos que no hacen que las conozcamos tanto y se sientan desarrolladas.
Si algo llama la atención de SLAM! es el apartado artístico. Veronica Fish realiza un trabajo fantástico. El diseño de personajes es desenfadado, aprovechando las virtudes de la atmósfera alternativa del deporte. Así la composición de página, que hace sentir la velocidad del deporte. Añadimos a todo esto el virtuoso color de Brittany Peer con una gama llamativa y tenemos un cóctel visual que atrapa.
Un cómic ligero, entretenido y que da ganas de calzarse los patines al terminar. Ojalá Fandogamia se anime a traer su secuela: SLAM!: The Next Jam
La guionista y jugadora profesional de Roller Derby Pamela Ribon se une a la artista Veronica Fish (Archie) para traernos la historia de amistad entre Jennifer y Maise, dos chicas que acaban de descubrir el Roller Derby. Durante los cuatro números de este volumen veremos como ambas se apuntan a las pruebas, son escogidas por diferentes equipos para competir y como forjan una amistad que solo las jugadoras de este rápido y duro deporte tienen. De fondo descubriremos todo un deporte de nicho en Estados Unidos adrenalínico donde el físico es lo menos importante.
SLAM! Vol. 1 es una especie de spokon que equilibra a la perfección su parte deportiva (presentandonos el deporte) y una trama de amistad entre dos chicas que se distancian con el tiempo. El único fallo que le veo a SLAM! es que Ribon no nos da tiempo suficiente en estos cuatro números para que la relación entre Jennifer y Maise se sienta tan fuerte y sólida. Solo nos permite acceder a algunos fragmentos, algunos momentos que no hacen que las conozcamos tanto y se sientan desarrolladas.
Si algo llama la atención de SLAM! es el apartado artístico. Veronica Fish realiza un trabajo fantástico. El diseño de personajes es desenfadado, aprovechando las virtudes de la atmósfera alternativa del deporte. Así la composición de página, que hace sentir la velocidad del deporte. Añadimos a todo esto el virtuoso color de Brittany Peer con una gama llamativa y tenemos un cóctel visual que atrapa.
Un cómic ligero, entretenido y que da ganas de calzarse los patines al terminar. Ojalá Fandogamia se anime a traer su secuela: SLAM!: The Next Jam
May 9, 2019
SLAM! Series Ratings:
SLAM! Vol. 1: ★★★★
SLAM!: The Next Jam: Lost interest in series
—
This year I am doing Graphic Novel December.
My plan is it to read one GN for each day of the month. So 31 in total!
I'll keep a running total in the review of each GN as I read them to help me keep track and for anyone following to see where I am at as well!
GN #1: Wonder Woman, Volume 1: The Lies ★★★★
GN #2: Wonder Woman, Volume 2: Year One ★★★★
GN #3: Wonder Woman, Volume 3: The Truth ★★★
GN #4: Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal ★★★★
GN #5: Suicide Squad, Volume 1: The Black Vault ★
GN #6: Suicide Squad, Volume 2: Going Sane ★★★
GN #7: Generation Zero, Volume 1: We Are the Future ★★★★★
GN #8: Revival, Vol. 1: You're Among Friends ★★★★
GN #9: SLAM! Vol. 1 ★★★★
—
This was so much fun! It was fast, colourful, a little violent. It was so easy to fly through this one and now I'm wishing I had more.
___
│Blog│Instagram│Twitter│Tumblr│
SLAM! Vol. 1: ★★★★
SLAM!: The Next Jam: Lost interest in series
—
This year I am doing Graphic Novel December.
My plan is it to read one GN for each day of the month. So 31 in total!
I'll keep a running total in the review of each GN as I read them to help me keep track and for anyone following to see where I am at as well!
GN #1: Wonder Woman, Volume 1: The Lies ★★★★
GN #2: Wonder Woman, Volume 2: Year One ★★★★
GN #3: Wonder Woman, Volume 3: The Truth ★★★
GN #4: Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal ★★★★
GN #5: Suicide Squad, Volume 1: The Black Vault ★
GN #6: Suicide Squad, Volume 2: Going Sane ★★★
GN #7: Generation Zero, Volume 1: We Are the Future ★★★★★
GN #8: Revival, Vol. 1: You're Among Friends ★★★★
GN #9: SLAM! Vol. 1 ★★★★
—
This was so much fun! It was fast, colourful, a little violent. It was so easy to fly through this one and now I'm wishing I had more.
___
│Blog│Instagram│Twitter│Tumblr│
October 24, 2017
I enjoyed this book, and was choking back tears thinking about my former derby-playing ex girlfriend. This captures the comaraderie she wistfully talked about, the dedication to your team and craft, and the enthralling action that captivated me whenever I got to watch bouts with her. Life is beautiful and messy, and Slam digs into both aspects on and off the track.
The art is beautiful. It does a great job of capturing real life action without ever feeling too super-hero-y. The hits, spills, and bruises are all captured perfectly, and it feels real.
The plot follows a realistic arc for better or worse. The pacing feels fine as each individual issue sees things play out in pretty real time. A date, a few practices, work in between, minor drama revealed and wrapped up. Overall I wish that the first volume collected a few more issues so that it felt like the meta-plots in each issue weren’t carrying the book as much as a larger overarching plot. Derby has seasons, and it felt like full arc would have encompassed a full season, including a championship bout. It seems like a collection of the first two volumes would probably do a better job of capturing a full season’s worth of plot, but this book was definitely good enough to make me eagerly anticipate Vol 2.
The art is beautiful. It does a great job of capturing real life action without ever feeling too super-hero-y. The hits, spills, and bruises are all captured perfectly, and it feels real.
The plot follows a realistic arc for better or worse. The pacing feels fine as each individual issue sees things play out in pretty real time. A date, a few practices, work in between, minor drama revealed and wrapped up. Overall I wish that the first volume collected a few more issues so that it felt like the meta-plots in each issue weren’t carrying the book as much as a larger overarching plot. Derby has seasons, and it felt like full arc would have encompassed a full season, including a championship bout. It seems like a collection of the first two volumes would probably do a better job of capturing a full season’s worth of plot, but this book was definitely good enough to make me eagerly anticipate Vol 2.
April 9, 2018
Este cómic es como un shonen deportivo basado en un deporte tan poco conocido como el roller derby, pero con chicas veinteañeras estudiantes de universidad o trabajadoras en lugar de chicos de instituto. Por un lado tenemos la parte deportiva, con mucha acción, entrenamientos, compañerismo y rivalidad, por otro una trama de amistad entre dos chicas que entran al mismo tiempo en el mundillo, se hacen super-amigas, luego se distancian al ir a parar a distintos equipos...
El cómic es muy divertido y se lee en un ratito, muy intenso... el dibujo me gusta bastante, el único defecto es que quizás le falte un poco de chicha y la trama de la amistad entre Jen y Maise flojea en algunos momentos, en todo caso seguiré porque es super entretenido y al precio que saca estos tomitos tan bien editados fandogamia es difícil decir que no.
El cómic es muy divertido y se lee en un ratito, muy intenso... el dibujo me gusta bastante, el único defecto es que quizás le falte un poco de chicha y la trama de la amistad entre Jen y Maise flojea en algunos momentos, en todo caso seguiré porque es super entretenido y al precio que saca estos tomitos tan bien editados fandogamia es difícil decir que no.
September 16, 2017
This is the third roller derby graphic novel I've read in the past couple years. Is there some secret roller derby revival happening somewhere or is this like a concerted movement to make fetch happen?
On the plus side, the roller derby GNs have all been uniformly pretty good. This sweet story of friendship comes in second after Roller Girl and just noses out Trish Trash #1: Rollergirl of Mars.
On the plus side, the roller derby GNs have all been uniformly pretty good. This sweet story of friendship comes in second after Roller Girl and just noses out Trish Trash #1: Rollergirl of Mars.
February 13, 2018
I really wanted to fall in love with this (the cover looked cool as heck and come on, it’s about roller derby, a hella sweet sport) but sadly I didn’t :(
The art was awesome, the depiction of roller derby was super cool, but everything else was just okay. The characters didn’t really develop that much over the course of the issues/chapters and I found the relationship between Maisie and Jen gave me whiplash with how fast the dynamics changed back and forth. It started off super promising (and it definitely kept me turning the pages) but sadly it didn’t deliver. Might read the next volume to see if it develops more but not in a hurry to delve back into this world again.
The art was awesome, the depiction of roller derby was super cool, but everything else was just okay. The characters didn’t really develop that much over the course of the issues/chapters and I found the relationship between Maisie and Jen gave me whiplash with how fast the dynamics changed back and forth. It started off super promising (and it definitely kept me turning the pages) but sadly it didn’t deliver. Might read the next volume to see if it develops more but not in a hurry to delve back into this world again.
May 25, 2018
Qué lástima que soy una inútil patinando, porque este cómic hace aumentar las ganas de ponerse a practicar este deporte.
Aparte de eso, es una buena historia de amistad, compañerismo y rivalidad. Ganas de seguir!
Aparte de eso, es una buena historia de amistad, compañerismo y rivalidad. Ganas de seguir!
October 30, 2017
Roller Derby! And friendships.
October 14, 2017
Well, that was just delightful.
March 27, 2018
Ay, es muy cuqui, no sé. Hay muchas mujeres, con muy buena representación y siendo amigas y haciendo el fuertecismo. Yo no necesito mucho más para ser feliz.
December 27, 2018
Is Roller derby even still relevant? This was trendy 15 years ago. Wouldn't continue on with this series...very corny at times.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 368 reviews