When we first posted the new collectible Jem dolls from Hasbro and Integrity Toys, many (myself included) wondered when we’d see Shana, Aja, and Kimber. The wait is over, Series 2 features Jem’s Holograms in all their bright-haired glory! I am now hotly anticipating Series 3, which I can only guess will be the evil band and Jem adversaries, The Misfits. I wonder what Christy Marx, Jem creator and current DC Comics writer, thinks of the comeback?

(via Comics Alliance)

Princess Bubblegum is equally a monarch, a scientist, and a girl who knows how to get her dress on, and I respect that. I’m still willing to bet that Marceline is around somewhere, sniggering at this. But maybe the leading lady of Adventure Time is to recent of a reference for you? Then check out the rest of Jerome LaMaar‘s cartoons, featuring characters from Sailor Moon, ThunderCats, Jem, and Daria.

Jem, the larger, cooler Barbie. At least to me she was. That’s why I’m so excited for this news. Hasbro has made a deal with Integrity Toys for a modern day line of Jem and the Hologram dolls. “Inspired by the TRULY OUTRAGEOUS characters created by Hasbro over two decades ago and cherished by fans and collectors alike ever since, this nostalgic retro doll line is designed to pay homage to both the animated series and its original companion doll line, which was originally marketed from 1985 to 1987,” writes Integrity. Each doll will set you back $125 and they’ll start shipping next month. Take a look at Jerrica Benton, her alter-ego Jem, Synergy, and good ol’ purple-haired Rio (more to come down the road).

We’re not sure who Karri is, but they’re lucky anyhow. (When Geeks Wed)

DC Comics is coming up on the year mark on its New 52 reboot, and the 52 have not gone without some pruning and additions. The third wave of the reboot is now upon us, and contains one addition we’re positively delighted to see. Not only does it resurrect a long dormant female character who most people have never heard of, she’s also in something of a genre twist for the DC universe, and her book is going to be written by the woman who created hard-rocking, kickass ’80s heroines Jem and the Holograms.

Look, just let me talk about Amethyst and Christy Marx for a bit, and then I’ll tell you about how Teen Titans is coming back to TV with its entire original voice cast.

Except now we’re all going to think about the first few minutes of Up, and then we’re all going to cry. By James Hance, who makes tons of these amazingly sweet geeky prints. (via Blastr)

Chilean artist Fabian Ciraolo has depicted the likes of Salvador Dalí, Frida Kahlo and Elizabeth Taylor but he’s also pretty adept at drawing 80s pop-culture icons. Take a gander at his retro-styled versions of Jem, the ThunderCats, She-Ra and more! (There may be a surprise appearance from Captain Planet) 

This list of the best non-human females (and their capacity to love) has been quite a tedious task. The term “non-human female” is quite broad, and I bet a lot of you are asking yourself where the female aliens are on this list. Why not call them the best female robots? The answer is not that simple. The Mary Sue staff and myself agreed to establish a rudimentary basis for this list: the non-human females can not have reproductive abilities (so that pretty much cancels out a majority of our favorite martian ladies).

Which is to say, these female characters have gender, but no sex. That is, sex as a noun, not a verb. Their gender has been pressed upon them by their creator or the viewer regardless of the fact that they are completely asexual beings and, in fact, don’t reproduce (though it hasn’t stopped us from giving them genders and love interests). Which allows us to take a very interesting look at what characteristics, over the years, we’ve felt would identify a robot as female, and what roles we thought those “female” robots were suitable for.

Christy Marx has made a name for herself in the writing field. Working on animated series from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to G.I. Joe, video games, comics and more, Ms. Marx proves to be both a talented writer and visionary. Winner of the AWC-WGA Animation Writing Award, affiliated member of Women in Animation, author of her own ‘how-to’ book Writing for Animation, Comics, and Games as well as guest lecturer and workshop instructor on several occasions, Marx’s list of achievements seems endless.

As some should know, Marx’s greatest and best known achievement has been being the creator/writer of the popular 80’s animated series Jem and the Holograms. Since its recent re-airing on The Hub, speculation of a possible Jem reboot and movie have surfaced. In order to put some of these rumors to rest it was only right to go to the source: Christy herself. She was kind enough to answer a few questions for The Mary Sue including her affinity for comics, her take on working on Jem and the Holograms, if Hasbro will ever turn it into a movie and some wise words of wisdom to you budding writers.

Theresa Romano: How did the concept of Jem and the Holograms come about? Was it a collaborative effort with Hasbro, or was it solely your creation?