Review - The Society of Unordinary Young Ladies #1 & #2

When a group of people get together for whatever (crime-fighting, awesomeness, being extraordinary), there are certain expectations that must be met. For the girls in The Society of Unordinary Young Ladies #1 & #2, those expectations include preventing a third World War from breaking out.

The first two issues are written by Algarmi, with art by D. Y. (#1) and Jayce G. Wah (#2) and a cover by Natividad.

Set against the backdrop of the height of the Cold War, a secret branch of the US government trains teenage girls as dangerous operatives. They're sent on missions throughout the world, with the twist being that all the characters are references to those in sitcoms.

Yep. The Society counts among its members Natalie, Jo, Blair and Tootie, among others. Not only that, but Alpha Team (A-Team) is also referenced as being the first to go into an assignment, only they haven't communicated in a while. Yes, the Facts of Life are tasked with saving the day in the first issue. Only, things don't go according to plan.

The second issue has fresh blood showing up and working under a new leader. General Stratton has stripped Mrs. Garrett of her headmaster duties and put someone named Charles in charge. Yes, it's exactly as you think. Anyhoo, Charles is building a new team, comprised first of a girl named Penelope (who's punky) and an alien with powers.

From a flow standpoint, the second issue read a lot faster than the first. That's not to say the first was bad or anything, but Algarmi just took his time letting you get to know the characters. Although, getting to know them shouldn't be that difficult, as they're all relatively famous sitcom characters.

IP lawsuits aside though, Algarmi's crafted a pretty enjoyable spy comic. It's got a little bit of everything, including mash-ups and 80s sitcoms feel. It's a perfectly suitable story on its own without the recognizable characters, with the concept of teenage girls being trained as government agents reminscent of D.E.B.S..

The art fits the tone perfectly as well. The work by D. Y. in the first issue is appropriately campy, while the work by Wah in the second issue is a little grittier. Again, the styles really seem to jibe with the characters in that particular issue, making it feel like a complete comic.

Well-crafted spy stories are few and far between these days, but Algarmi and co. have created a great new one. Well, new is a relative term, considering all the characters are borrowed. It's still an interesting concept and homage, right down to the title paying tribute to Alan Moore's League of Extraordinary Gentlmen.

The Society of Unordinary Young Ladies is available now.