REVIEW: ‘Charlie’s Angels vs The Bionic Woman,’ Issue #1

Charlie’s Angels vs The Bionic Woman #1 is published by Dynamite Comics, written by Cameron DeOrdio, with art by Soo Lee, colors by Addison Duke, and letters by Crank!. With the new Charlie’s Angels reboot in the works and a trailer recently dropping, it is understandable new media featuring the titular leads are popping up. But prior to being action heroes on the big screen, first played by Cameron Diaz, Drew Berrymore, and Lucy Liu, Charlie’s Angels was a television crime-drama that aired from September 22, 1976 to June 24, 1981. And those are the Angels represented in Charlie’s Angels vs The Bionic Woman #1.

The issue picks up with our three Angels at the famed Charles Townsend Detective Agency as the woman are told their next assignment. The women are tasked with infiltrating the Naris Corp and stealing back a potent chemical in order to return it to its rightful owner. However, the angels quickly learn another force is also interested in the chemical and she is a force to be reckoned with.

Part of the appeal of the Charlie’s Angels TV show was the fact it was often campy and downright kooky. That, unfortunately, does not translate here. Outside of seeing familiar names and everyone wearing a Farrah Fawcett inspired hairdo, very little of this comic reminds me of Charlie’s Angels. As a child, I often watched the show’s reruns on TV Land. I did not, however, watch The Bionic Woman, which was on air around the same time as Charlie’s Angels. The Angels in Charlie’s Angels vs The Bionic Woman #1 don’t have the vibrant personalities I remember from the show or even the more recent movies. But for as much as I wanted to love the Angels, I didn’t expect to mostly be drawn to the Bionic Woman. In this issue, she doesn’t play a huge role and is mostly in the shadows, but she seems to always be one step ahead of the Angels and the guards at Naris.

The real star of this issue is Lee’s art. Lee’s style is a cross between anime and a more traditional comic. The blending of styles works well and close-ups on characters faces are stunning. This is especially important considering these four women are known for being show-stopping beautiful, a trait they use to their advantage in the world of espionage.

Overall, Charlie’s Angels vs The Bionic Woman #1 had a lot of potential but is, unfortunately, just boring. The mission the four girls are on isn’t really exciting and not much about any of their personalities are engaging for a reader. However, if you are a big fan of either of the original TV series, this book might be worth picking up if only to get a nostalgic kick out of seeing the original angels, Jill Munroe, Sabrina Duncan, and Kelly Garrett.

Charlie’s Angels vs The Bionic Woman #1 is available in comic book stores everywhere.