‘Joy Operations’ TPB (review)

Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Illustrated by Stephen Byrne
Published by Dark Horse Comics

“Let Bendis be Bendis.” – Anonymous

Brian Michael Bendis is easily one of the best-known and prolific comic-book creators operating in the industry today. Bendis has created or worked on some of the most beloved characters of this generation; Miles Morales, Naomi McDuffie, Riri Williams, and Jessica Jones, to name a few. Bendis seemingly has moved on from the world of mainstream companies like DC and Marvel and is currently working on his creator-owned Jinxworld line of comic books.

His latest offering is Joy Operations.

Joy Operations is an ambitious science-fiction odyssey set 55 years in the future. In a corporate-run world, Joy in an EN. VOI, the top special agent for the Jornada Trust.

Trusts are corporate-owned cities that have become mainstays in the world of the future. As an agent of the trust, Joy enforces the will of the trust and considers any enemies of the Jornado trust.

Joy is the definition of perfection and a living legend. However, Joy’s perfect world is destroyed when one day, a voice pops into her head urging her to betray Jornado and everything that Joy has stood for until now.

Joy Operations is Bendis at his best.

It is a fun, witty, colorful book that is mesmerizing and engaging. Bendis manages to craft a realistic, intriguing, and well-thought-out world. Byrne’s art is top-tier and bolsters Bendis’ imaginative and engaging storytelling.

While I enjoyed the book very much, I sometimes feel that Bendis can be overly wordy and, at times, caught up with being cute and witty. For instance, Joy is a hard-as-nails bad-ass but is in a loving interracial relationship with a man and a woman and the co-mom of two kids. This “throuple” plays a private role in the book. While it makes perfect sense to give Joy something to fight for, it is hard for me to see someone like joy being a submissive partner in her unique family situation.

But then again, I’ve found that some of the most stoic people I have ever met lead freaky lives behind closed doors. So, what do I know?

Joy Operations is a fun, well written, and beautifully drawn book. You would do well to pick up the collected edition and bring a little joy into your own life.

4.75 out of 5 stars