‘Jem And The Holograms’ Ends With Issue #26, But Kelly Thompson Promises More To Come

Since it launched in March of 2015, Jem and the Holograms has met with a level of acclaim and popularity that few could have foreseen for the reboot of a 1980s TV animation property. In fact, it has surpassed the original show in the minds of many fans, as well as attracting readers who weren't even alive when the cartoon was on TV.

Writer Kelly Thompson updated the premise while retaining the spirit of the original, and the series' first artist, Sophie Campbell, redesigned the characters with more realistically diverse body types, and a sense style that's updated and retro at the same time. The series has also been praised for its representation of queer characters, particularly the relationship between Kimber and Stormer, as well as the introduction of transgender Misfit Blaze.

But all things must come to an end, and Comic Book Resources has revealed that April's Jem and the Holograms #26 will be the final issue.

However, Thompson has made clear that this is not the end for these versions of the characters. As she explains to CBR:

Our ‘last issue’ — Jem and The Holograms #26 — coming out in April is oversized, including 24 pages of story and lots of extras, so I hope the fans will enjoy that. However, Jem and The Holograms is not over, not by a long shot. In fact, I’d say the most exciting thing we’ve ever done is in our very near future. I can’t say what it is yet, but look for it this summer. It’s not hyperbole to say it’s going to change everything about the Jem universe!

We know nothing about this exciting new chapter for Jem and the Holograms. IDW has put a bunch of their Hasbro books into a shared universe with Revolution, but that wouldn't make much sense for Jem. Having a sentient supercomputer that you have to keep secret, as the Holograms do, would suddenly become meaningless in a world where Transformers exist. But maybe they'll find a way around that, or maybe the coming surprise is something else entirely. In any case, Jem and the Holograms fans will be anxiously awaiting the news of what's to come.

Here's IDW's official solicitation for the issue:

Jem and the Holograms #26

Kelly Thompson (w) • Gisele Lagace (a) • Jen Bartel (c)

Truly Outrageous Part Three! It all comes down to this oversized final issue! As the Holograms try to come together in paradise, their secrets (and their rivalries) continue to threaten to tear them apart.

FC • 40 pages • $4.99