The last time I reviewed Marceline and the Scream Queens, I wasn't impressed by the lack of a concrete plot in both the main story and the back-up; I thought I might give the book another chance, and while I wasn't exactly blown away by this issue, I was happy to note some improvement in the pages.

Meredith Gran make some improvement this month by showing a little bit of character development and a plot that didn't just get shrugged off at the end. This is what happened last month, and I kind of left the book with a big shrug of my shoulders; for a spin-off from the main plot of the show, I still feel that there's something missing that's keeping Marceline from feeling like it's part of the Adventure Time 'verse.

I was disappointed to see that Princess Bubblegum's interaction was the same as last issue, furthering a relationship with one of the bandmates that just seemed to... trail off. We're half-way through the maxi-series now, and I'm guessing the bandmate's weird affliction will come into some prominence in the last three issues, but for now it feels like a passing note.

For the quibbles I have with this book, I'm happy that Gran fit a little bit more characterization to the main Vampire Queen, herself. I enjoy Marceline's character because despite being immportal and pretty sure of herself, there are moments of insecurity that throw her off the deep end. Anyone reading this review will know how those feel.

Ultimately, I want more of that - more moments that make these characters feel real, despite taking place in a fantastical cartoon world. Hopefully in the last three issues of this mini we'll get just that. I'm looking forward to it.

Marceline and the Scream Queens #3 (of 6)
Kaboom! Comics
$3.99

The Verdict: Maybe I'm approaching this book a little wrong in the sense that I'm looking for a crossover appeal like Ryan North's Adventure Time book; this book is definitely geared towards a younger audience.