Title: Zodiac Starforce: By the Power of Astra
Writer: Kevin Panetta
Artist: Paulina Ganucheau
Publisher: Dark Horse Books
Audience: Middle School and up

I found out about Zodiac Starforce through Twitter.  If you are a comics fan, it pays off to follow the writers and artists you enjoy via social media.  Writer and artist Kate Leth (@kateleth) tweeted something to the effect of “if you enjoy magical girl comics then you need to read Zodiac Starforce!”  I’m a big Sailor Moon fan and I know a couple kids at my library also enjoy magical girl manga so I knew it would be a big hit.  This trade has been circulating in the library since last summer, and I finally got a chance to read it.  It did not disappoint.

Zodiac Starforce is reminiscent of Sailor Moon and hit’s all the right feels while taking the magical girl story in a different direction.  The team  is comprised of four teen girls who have been given superpowers by the goddess Astra.  Emma/Gemini is the leader with a sweet sword and can split in two.  Savannah/Pisces is the brain of the operation with awesome water powers.  Kim/Taurus is the bruiser who can manifest really cool armor.  Molly/Ares is the mystical girl who can open portals.  

The story opens up with the girls doing the usual teenager stuff.  They had disbanded after defeating the evil Cimmeria and bringing peace back to Earth.  With no major threat looming, Zodiac Starforce broke up.  Of course, they can’t possibly stay apart for long when Emma is infected with a mysterious illness after killing a monster.  They have to figure out how to save her, and take down the mean girls in their high school who have been imbued with a dark, malevolent force.  Along the way there are fun fight scenes, the introduction of a new lady love interest for Savannah, and the message of friendship as Zodiac Starforce is stronger together than apart.

Panetta does a great job at witty teen dialogue and keeps the plot moving very well.  Ganucheau’s art is a delight!  Lot’s of clean lines and brightly colored panels.  The fashion for the girls both in and out of costume is cute and quirky.  I really love Pisces’s snapback hat!  And the character designs are fun too!  Kim looks like she could easily play on a roller derby team and her bangs always hide her eyes.  The end of the book features their ideas and designs for the characters which I really enjoyed.  It’s always great to see the writer’s and artist’s creative process.  Not only do we get character sketches, but also the first Zodiac Starforce story which looks very different.  

My only dislike about this book is there is only one volume.  The story works as a stand alone book, but it’s left so that another story arc can easily be added on.  I really want more of the Zodiac Starforce girls!