đŒ SLAM! #1 (2016) – Comic Overview
đ Genre
Sports Drama | Slice of Life | Coming-of-Age | Female Friendship | Contemporary Fiction
đ Main Characters
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Jennifer Chu (Knockout)
A focused and driven athlete with a strong sense of discipline. Jennifer thrives on structure and precision, both on the track and in life. Her calculated nature often contrasts with the unpredictability of roller derby, which challenges her emotionally. -
Maise Huff (Ithinka Can)
A free-spirited and impulsive skater with a passion for pushing boundaries. Maise brings humor and raw emotion to every situation. Her deep bond with Jennifer is tested when they’re pulled onto opposing teams.
✍️ Writer
Pamela Ribon
An accomplished novelist and screenwriter known for her work on Moana and Wreck-It Ralph 2, Pamela brings a rich blend of humor, heart, and depth to the series. Her storytelling style emphasizes emotional realism and the complexity of female friendships.
đš Artist
Veronica Fish
Recognized for her bold lines and expressive character designs in titles like Archie and Spider-Woman, Veronica brings a dynamic, kinetic energy to every panel. Her art style captures the physical intensity of roller derby while elevating the emotional stakes.
đ Editor Details
Editor: Shannon Watters
A major creative force at BOOM! Studios, Watters is known for curating titles with strong voices and diverse representation, including Lumberjanes. Her editorial direction ensures a grounded yet inspiring tone throughout SLAM!.
đą Publisher and Brand
Publisher: BOOM! Box
Imprint of: BOOM! Studios
BOOM! Box is renowned for its creator-driven, indie-style stories that spotlight fresh perspectives, often focusing on LGBTQ+ themes, youth culture, and personal growth.
đ Release Year
2016
đ Brief Plot Summary
SLAM! #1 introduces readers to Jennifer Chu and Maise Huff, two women who find themselves swept up in the intense and addictive world of roller derby. Starting as inseparable best friends during their Fresh Meat Orientation for the Eastside Roller Girls, their bond is quickly tested when they are drafted onto rival teams. The comic explores how physical collisions on the track parallel the emotional ones in life — love, loyalty, ambition, and identity. With each jam, they must decide whether their friendship can withstand the heat of competition, or if it will get knocked out for good.
𧩠Notable Arcs or Storylines
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Fresh Meat Orientation: The early training phase where Maise and Jennifer bond and learn the brutal basics of roller derby.
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Team Draft Split: The turning point in the story when the duo is separated, setting the stage for internal and external conflict.
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Identity vs. Team Loyalty: A recurring theme that runs through the issue and the series — can you be true to yourself while giving everything to a team?
đ Fan Theories or Interpretations
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Some fans speculate that Jennifer and Maise's relationship hints at deeper romantic undertones, especially given the emotional intensity and codependence displayed.
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Others see the story as a metaphor for adult female friendships navigating career paths, independence, and growing pains in their twenties.
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The comic has also been interpreted as a feminist take on sports narratives, showcasing women not just as competitors, but as layered, evolving individuals.
⭐ Review Summary
SLAM! #1 is an energetic, emotionally raw introduction to a world rarely explored in comics. Pamela Ribon’s writing is sharp, witty, and deeply authentic — giving readers characters who feel real, flawed, and fiercely relatable. Veronica Fish’s art perfectly complements the tone, with expressive character work and adrenaline-pumping track sequences that keep the story moving. The visual storytelling captures both the sport’s physical intensity and the subtle emotional cues that define the characters’ relationships.
Overall, it’s a must-read for fans of character-driven stories and anyone who’s ever been slammed — on the track or by life. đ„đŒ❤️
Comic Resource / Read Online (External Source)
