Jetta goes out with a whimper. DeCarlo’s art is iffy on the first and third stories, with only the second really being up to par with what he’s previously done on the title.

Also problematic is the writing. While the first story, though it has nothing to do with Jetta, is rather charming, the third story in this issue borrows a plot point (sabotage) from the second. And the second story ends with a completely nonsensical ending.

At least DeCarlo doesn’t go out of his way to make Jetta’s love interest, Arky, a complete jerk this issue. And her nemesis, Hilaria, returns to that status after the affected friendship DeCarlo gives them in the first story.

DeCarlo seems to enjoy setting the stories up, getting the antics going… then he has no idea what to do. This problem plagues the second two stories.

But it’s still a very likable book.

CREDITS

Writer and artist, Dan DeCarlo; publisher, Standard Comics.

The second issue of Jetta is something of a disappointment. There’s very good art for two-thirds of the issue (if I forget to mention it later, the third story’s artwork is surprisingly weak, like DeCarlo was in a real hurry), but the charm is lost. The stories aren’t really about Jetta the space age teenage girl, rather about Jetta and her supporting cast–something the first issue basically ignored.

Clearly, DeCarlo thought he had more than three issues. He keeps introducing (presumably) recurring supporting characters here. I really have no idea how this era’s teen comics for girls developed narratively; maybe it’s normal.

Still, Jetta only takes a main role in the second story–and even then shares it with her female nemesis from the first story.

One thing is clear though–Jetta’s primary love interest, Arky, is a heel. At one point, he picks a sandwich over Jetta.

CREDITS

Writer and artist, Dan DeCarlo; publisher, Standard Comics.

The most peculiar thing–so far–about Jetta is how Dan DeCarlo comes up with these wonderful futuristic references, whether it’s Venusian swamps or something else. It doesn’t fit the rest of the book in some way… as otherwise, Jetta is just a romantic comedy comic. The way DeCarlo gets those references in is just fantastic, really making his future setting seem bigger than it would appear.

This first issue–the numbering had to do with the appearance of being a successful title–establishes Jetta and some of her supporting cast. DeCarlo doesn’t see interested in the high school cast after the first (of three) stories. Instead, it’s all about Jetta and her moron boyfriend, Arky.

The comic frequently shows its age; for example, Arky isn’t just a moron but an unsympathetic lout too.

Luckily, reading Jetta is more about DeCarlo’s great art. It’s just wonderful, with some amazing panels.

CREDITS

Writer and artist, Dan DeCarlo; publisher, Standard Comics.