Normally I prefer to see/read something all the way through before reviewing it, but I got to the end of the fourth serial/volume/whatever for this comic (Suicide Bomber) and just...gave up. Keep in mind, I soldiered through the vast majority of Crossed regardless of how foul it got - that should tell you just how much worse this comic is.
Honestly, I think the most frustrating aspect of Bomb Queen is that I don't know what, exactly, it's trying to do. Is it trying to present a strong, capable female character fully in control of her sexuality and holding a powerful position of authority by being the best at what she does? Because I'm not a woman, but even if I were I don't think I'd see Bomb Queen as a role model. Is it flipping the bird at other comics with (sometimes sympathetic) supervillain protagonists by showing how screwed up they and their world would really be? Maybe, but trust me, that schtick gets real old the third time Bomb Queen gets away with murder of innocents, often children, like the Villain Sue she is. Is it just trying to offend people like a teenager who refuses to leave their emo phase? Well, that it accomplishes with flying colors, because every other panel not focused on the main characters shows a new flavor of fucked-up thing happening to hapless civilians, often children, apparently just for kicks. (Again, I read almost all of Crossed - this actually manages to make that look tame sometimes.)
Moreover, the Eight Deadly Words are in full effect here by, like, volume 2; Bomb Queen is a psychopathic murderer and rapist who uses kids as human shields/bomb fodder and gets only the most token, half-assed efforts at "character development" and "audience sympathizing"; her enemies are largely one-dimensional pastiches and caricatures of standard comic book characters, none of whom ever actually pose a real threat, of course; and all the citizens caught in-between are invariably some flavor of pedophile, sociopath, rapist, etc. or just a hapless bystander for Bomb Queen to kill for no reason. Did I mention that Bomb Queen not only wins all the time, but never faces any real consequences for her actions? Maybe this changes in volumes 5-7, but seeing her get away with not only actual murder, but domestic terrorism in the first four volumes while only ever prospering and being allowed to keep going at it wore down my resolve to see it through. Sure, you could say Lucifer has something similar going, except 1. it makes complete sense why Lucifer would be so successful in his schemes, 2. he actually has redeeming qualities and is entertaining to watch, and 3. the series is written by someone who gives a fuck. All important attributes missing from this title.
In short, don't read this. Just don't. Spare yourself the time wasted, and if you want to get into Image Comics, focus on Invincible, which I hear is actually good.
Offensively Bad
Normally I prefer to see/read something all the way through before reviewing it, but I got to the end of the fourth serial/volume/whatever for this comic (Suicide Bomber) and just...gave up. Keep in mind, I soldiered through the vast majority of Crossed regardless of how foul it got - that should tell you just how much worse this comic is.
Honestly, I think the most frustrating aspect of Bomb Queen is that I don't know what, exactly, it's trying to do. Is it trying to present a strong, capable female character fully in control of her sexuality and holding a powerful position of authority by being the best at what she does? Because I'm not a woman, but even if I were I don't think I'd see Bomb Queen as a role model. Is it flipping the bird at other comics with (sometimes sympathetic) supervillain protagonists by showing how screwed up they and their world would really be? Maybe, but trust me, that schtick gets real old the third time Bomb Queen gets away with murder of innocents, often children, like the Villain Sue she is. Is it just trying to offend people like a teenager who refuses to leave their emo phase? Well, that it accomplishes with flying colors, because every other panel not focused on the main characters shows a new flavor of fucked-up thing happening to hapless civilians, often children, apparently just for kicks. (Again, I read almost all of Crossed - this actually manages to make that look tame sometimes.)
Moreover, the Eight Deadly Words are in full effect here by, like, volume 2; Bomb Queen is a psychopathic murderer and rapist who uses kids as human shields/bomb fodder and gets only the most token, half-assed efforts at "character development" and "audience sympathizing"; her enemies are largely one-dimensional pastiches and caricatures of standard comic book characters, none of whom ever actually pose a real threat, of course; and all the citizens caught in-between are invariably some flavor of pedophile, sociopath, rapist, etc. or just a hapless bystander for Bomb Queen to kill for no reason. Did I mention that Bomb Queen not only wins all the time, but never faces any real consequences for her actions? Maybe this changes in volumes 5-7, but seeing her get away with not only actual murder, but domestic terrorism in the first four volumes while only ever prospering and being allowed to keep going at it wore down my resolve to see it through. Sure, you could say Lucifer has something similar going, except 1. it makes complete sense why Lucifer would be so successful in his schemes, 2. he actually has redeeming qualities and is entertaining to watch, and 3. the series is written by someone who gives a fuck. All important attributes missing from this title.
In short, don't read this. Just don't. Spare yourself the time wasted, and if you want to get into Image Comics, focus on Invincible, which I hear is actually good.