Tank Girl: Skidmarks might be one of the most off-the-wall, over-the-top, completely ridiculous books I’ve ever read… and I mean that in a good way. While I was originally familiar with the character, what with the 1995 movie and references in various books I’ve read over the years, I had never really sat down and read a Tank Girl book in any form…
…until now.
For those of you that are unfamiliar with this particular tale, the story follows our heroine and her sidekick Booga as they take part in the highly dangerous but extremely rewarding Watermelon Run, a Death Race style trek across desert, mountain and any other environment in between, all to gather up enough money to save Tank Girl’s friend Barney who has tragically fallen into a coma following a skateboard trick gone bad. The writing, which is done by longtime Tank Girl scribe and co-creator Alan Martin, is smart, juvenile, crude and, with twists and turns aplenty, unpredictable. Needless to say, this combination makes for a pretty entertaining read if you’re unfamiliar with the character and her supporting cast.
Those familiar with the animated musical group Gorillaz with see some similarities in the style of artwork used by the series artist Rufus Dayglo, who seemingly emulates original series artist Jamie Hewlett’s (Tank Girl co-creator and co-creator of the Gorillaz ) style from the older Tank Girl books. Dayglo’s technique used in the book is just as chaotic and outrageous as the writing so the duo of Martin and Dayglo is the perfect fit for a title such as this.
So while the story itself is wildly fun and entertaining, it’s really the interactions amongst the various characters that’s the most interesting. From Tank Girl’s drama with Booga to her inadvertent hostility and then partnership with Dee Dee Ramone and Jet Girl, both of which are trying to win the race for the same reason, there’s a ton of great writing here that is sure to please fans of the character, both new and old. In addition to the main story, which is more than enough material for this to feel like a solid read, there’s a number of extras at the end of the book that add even more value to the book and help to really make it feel like a total package.
So while this book may have been somewhat of a departure from my usual strict diet of superhero books and nothing else, it’s certainly a trip I’m glad I took. If you’re looking for a light read that’s sure to make you chuckle at least a little bit, give Tank Girl: Skidmarks a look.
Tank Girl: Skidmarks
Format: Trade Paperback
Published by: Titan Books
