Shade – The Changing Girl #3 (2016) – Comic Review & Breakdown
Genre
đ Science Fiction, Psychological Drama, Supernatural, Coming-of-Age
Main Characters
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Loma Shade – A bird-like alien from the planet Meta who inhabits the body of a comatose teenage girl on Earth.
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Megan Boyer – The original Earth girl whose body Loma now inhabits; her past continues to haunt Loma.
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River Johnson – An empathetic teacher who begins to suspect something strange is going on with “Megan.”
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Teacup – A classmate of Megan’s who may be the only one open to understanding Loma.
Writer
✍️ Cecil Castellucci – Known for her imaginative storytelling and strong voice in young adult fiction, Castellucci brings emotional depth and offbeat charm to this surreal narrative.
Artist
đš Marley Zarcone – Her expressive line work and surrealist approach visually capture the chaotic inner world of Loma and the psychedelic tone of the series.
Editor Details
đ ️ Jamie S. Rich – Group Editor
đ Maggie Howell – Associate Editor
Their editorial guidance maintains a balance between the story’s weirdness and its emotional core.
Publisher and Brand
đ DC Comics
đ Young Animal Imprint – A creative imprint curated by Gerard Way, focusing on bold, experimental storytelling with a punk edge.
Release Year
đ 2016
Brief Plot Summary
Loma Shade continues her chaotic journey inside the body of Megan Boyer, a once-popular high school girl with a dark past. As Loma tries to adjust to Earth life, she faces hostility from Megan’s former friends and confusion from her classmates. The swim team, once her domain, is now a nightmare — her new mind doesn’t match Megan’s old athletic abilities đ♀️đ„.
Feeling alienated and unsure who to trust, Loma teeters on the edge of being discovered. As the madness from the M-Vest (the reality-warping artifact she uses) begins to creep in, Loma must figure out who she really is — and whether anyone on Earth can help her hold it all together before everything unravels.
Notable Arcs or Storylines
✨ "Earth Girl Made of Madness" – This arc highlights Loma’s psychological descent and social isolation, drawing parallels between alien disorientation and teenage identity crises. It continues the trend of character-driven, emotionally surreal storytelling that defines the series.
Fan Theories or Interpretations
đ§ Many fans interpret Loma's possession of Megan’s body as a metaphor for teenage reinvention and mental health struggles.
đ️ Some speculate that the M-Vest doesn’t just warp reality — it also serves as a symbolic conduit for trauma and buried truths.
đš The duality of Megan’s memories and Loma’s alien perceptions has sparked theories that Megan’s consciousness might still linger within her body.
Review Summary
This issue stands out for its psychedelic visuals and introspective tone. Zarcone’s art paints a vivid picture of instability and alienation, perfectly matching Castellucci’s layered script. The emotional complexity of Loma trying to find her identity in someone else’s life hits hard, especially against the backdrop of high school cruelty. The characters are textured, the tension is palpable, and the madness is beautifully rendered.
⭐ Art: 9/10
⭐ Story: 8.5/10
⭐ Character Depth: 9/10
đœ✨ “Shade – The Changing Girl #3” isn’t just a sci-fi comic — it’s a hauntingly personal trip through identity, madness, and the cost of second chances.
Comic Resource / Read Online (External Source)
