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Hewlett and Martin's Tank Girl #3
Tank Girl: Three
She’s back to wreck her own unique brand of havoc! From the depths of the outback she charges, astride her fabulous tank! Run for the Hills! It’s... Tank Girl!
This time round, Tank Girl reveals the true story behind popular beat combo - The Smiths, battles titanically with evil deranged bounty hunters, takes a globe-trotting, gastronomic odyssey and still finds time for a naughty interlude behind a bulldozer. Marking the 20th anniversary of Tank Girl with a new introduction from Alan Martin and featuring rarely seen material from Jamie Hewlett. All presented in chronological order, glorious technicolour and in fabulous black and white - the way nature intended!
Adults only!
This time round, Tank Girl reveals the true story behind popular beat combo - The Smiths, battles titanically with evil deranged bounty hunters, takes a globe-trotting, gastronomic odyssey and still finds time for a naughty interlude behind a bulldozer. Marking the 20th anniversary of Tank Girl with a new introduction from Alan Martin and featuring rarely seen material from Jamie Hewlett. All presented in chronological order, glorious technicolour and in fabulous black and white - the way nature intended!
Adults only!
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 8, 2017
"I wish I could think of something positive to say about the final days of Tank Girl, but I can't, so I'll just shut up," is how writer Alan Martin introduces this book, and after Tank Girl 2 being so bad it literally took me almost a decade to finish it, I did not have high hopes for Tank Girl 3. But Martin's newest TG comic, Two Girls One Tank, is a direct sequel to one of the stories in this volume, and after looking that one up and declaring it 'not terrible,' I decided to finally, finally finish the original 90's Tank-trilogy.
Tank Girl 1 is one of my favorite comics of all time, and while TG3 doesn't totally hit that volume's high-highs, it's still pretty excellent. For one, most of the stories feature the tank, and you'd be surprised how important a tank is in a book called Tank Girl, but boy howdy indeed it is (note: TG2 had no tanks). The stories also feature crime, explosions, shocking deaths, breakneck car/tank chases through the outback, sex with kangaroos, and lots of boobs and wee-wees, so really the TG formula is fully in effect.
If anything, the volume just suffers from an unevenness clearly tied to the restlessness of its creators -- half the stories are firing on all cylinders, but the other half features a mini-biopic about the Smiths, a vision quest that ends with a full-page photo of Gary Numan, some weird thing about skiing, and a Jet Girl story that just feels like a weak Moebius homage (which isn't the worst thing, but is still a bit of a headscratcher).
Jamie Hewlett only draws about half the stories, and it's obvious that by this point, he has far outpaced Martin's lazy, profanity-laden scripts. Hewlett's work is too good, too crazy, and too intricate to really even fit in the panels -- it's so detail-laden it almost doesn't work, like an hourlong guitar solo over some out-of-tune power chords.
But the stories in this volume are possibly the longest of the entire series, and they're funny and occasionally even have something approaching a narrative arc. So yeah, in general it's good stuff, even if things don't gel quite as well as the earliest stories from TG1.
Tank Girl 1 is one of my favorite comics of all time, and while TG3 doesn't totally hit that volume's high-highs, it's still pretty excellent. For one, most of the stories feature the tank, and you'd be surprised how important a tank is in a book called Tank Girl, but boy howdy indeed it is (note: TG2 had no tanks). The stories also feature crime, explosions, shocking deaths, breakneck car/tank chases through the outback, sex with kangaroos, and lots of boobs and wee-wees, so really the TG formula is fully in effect.
If anything, the volume just suffers from an unevenness clearly tied to the restlessness of its creators -- half the stories are firing on all cylinders, but the other half features a mini-biopic about the Smiths, a vision quest that ends with a full-page photo of Gary Numan, some weird thing about skiing, and a Jet Girl story that just feels like a weak Moebius homage (which isn't the worst thing, but is still a bit of a headscratcher).
Jamie Hewlett only draws about half the stories, and it's obvious that by this point, he has far outpaced Martin's lazy, profanity-laden scripts. Hewlett's work is too good, too crazy, and too intricate to really even fit in the panels -- it's so detail-laden it almost doesn't work, like an hourlong guitar solo over some out-of-tune power chords.
But the stories in this volume are possibly the longest of the entire series, and they're funny and occasionally even have something approaching a narrative arc. So yeah, in general it's good stuff, even if things don't gel quite as well as the earliest stories from TG1.
January 23, 2019
Finalmente el tercero de los libros clásicos de Tank Girl. Al fin Martin y Hewlett abandonaron las drogas psicodélicas para traernos de vuelta historias de violencia y tanques como corresponde. El arte de Hewlett sigue siendo genial, y también hay otros dibujantes en unas historias con Martin que están bastante bien. Diría que es mejor que el segundo tomo pero el primero es definitivamente el mejor.
November 24, 2024
Tank Girl 3 by Alan C. Martin and Jamie Hewlett wasn't my favorite of those I've read so far, but it's still TANK GIRL! Booze, fighting, killing and pop culture references.
In this collection of stories, Tank Girl and Booga (her Kangaroo boyfriend) take on a town full of bounty hunters, Jet Girl talks to herself and blows up a monument (Jet Girl is my favorite); we learn the origin of the Smiths (a la Hewlett & Martin), Booga's prom date and so much more.
It's all fun and games until Sub Girl is killed... or is she?? Who knows. Great artwork, fun stories.. oh and the frustration about losing control of Tank Girl when it was sold for movie rights. So you know, a bit of anger and complaining. Still always enjoyable to enter this wild world. I think I still have Tank Girl Odyssey to read. 😎👍😁 (2.5 stars)
In this collection of stories, Tank Girl and Booga (her Kangaroo boyfriend) take on a town full of bounty hunters, Jet Girl talks to herself and blows up a monument (Jet Girl is my favorite); we learn the origin of the Smiths (a la Hewlett & Martin), Booga's prom date and so much more.
It's all fun and games until Sub Girl is killed... or is she?? Who knows. Great artwork, fun stories.. oh and the frustration about losing control of Tank Girl when it was sold for movie rights. So you know, a bit of anger and complaining. Still always enjoyable to enter this wild world. I think I still have Tank Girl Odyssey to read. 😎👍😁 (2.5 stars)
June 26, 2020
Always a fun time.
February 7, 2014
With this third volume of the 'remastered' Tank Girl collections, we see the end of Alan Martin's (questionable) authourship. Strangely, though, it is also here where Martin's hand is shown as most evident, accompanied by guest artists Philip Bond and Glyn Dillon in place of the usual finery of Jamie Hewlett. Both Bond and Dillon acquit themselves well, the former putting in at least four stories while Dillon only offers one (and that of Tank Girl's occasional compadre Jet Girl), but neither are really replacements for the one-of-a-kind Hewlett style. Of course, Hewlett hands in his fair share of work, and it is typically frenetic and fun.
The stories this time around are a return to earlier form, typically playing hard-and-fast with the rules of both physics and narrative while eschewing the acid-house mind-warpage evident in volume two. As Martin explains in his final introduction, these stories were happening at the peak of Tank Girl's popularity as best shown through the real-world appearance of the Tank Girl motion picture. Perhaps the return to madcap hijinks at this time is reflective of the creators' hopes to maintain the spirit at the core of the title, but it also seems to be injected with a heart that wasn't in the earliest stories. Naturally, that may just be the sign of both originators growing that little bit older and more mature.
In addition to being Martin's end on the series, this is also where I will stop reading it. Though the remastered editions go on for another three books (and at least three more authours/illustrators), this is the last one in my hands. It's probably best I leave it here, anyway, as I'm not entirely certain I'd want to see where this character's taken after here. This original run on Tank Girl seems to have plumbed what little depth there ever was to her and her friends, and beyond this I can only imagine she'll be suffering what writers call 'character development.' As shallow as these stories tend to be, it's probably better than seeing them get deep.
The stories this time around are a return to earlier form, typically playing hard-and-fast with the rules of both physics and narrative while eschewing the acid-house mind-warpage evident in volume two. As Martin explains in his final introduction, these stories were happening at the peak of Tank Girl's popularity as best shown through the real-world appearance of the Tank Girl motion picture. Perhaps the return to madcap hijinks at this time is reflective of the creators' hopes to maintain the spirit at the core of the title, but it also seems to be injected with a heart that wasn't in the earliest stories. Naturally, that may just be the sign of both originators growing that little bit older and more mature.
In addition to being Martin's end on the series, this is also where I will stop reading it. Though the remastered editions go on for another three books (and at least three more authours/illustrators), this is the last one in my hands. It's probably best I leave it here, anyway, as I'm not entirely certain I'd want to see where this character's taken after here. This original run on Tank Girl seems to have plumbed what little depth there ever was to her and her friends, and beyond this I can only imagine she'll be suffering what writers call 'character development.' As shallow as these stories tend to be, it's probably better than seeing them get deep.
September 10, 2007
The best episode of Tank Girl's series. The others are good as well, but nothing beats the appallingly superb drawings in this book. Jamie Hewlitt's style is a mixture of sensuality and ludicrousness, that genuinely discovers a new unique style which already been vastly recognized around the world. Yep right, Tank Girl is the origin of the famous Gorrillaz.
June 16, 2018
This collections holds a more mature version of Tank Girl in the sense that she and the creators have grown up some and lost some of their youthful optimism. There is a darker and more deliberate approach to the story telling, which is a welcome improvement over the last compilation. She is more vicious and unforgiving as are, apparently, the creators. The rough edges of earlier versions are now quite sharp.
December 29, 2024
More insanity from my idol as she careens around causing chaos as only she could. Love the weird little one-off pages and the calender at the end. There's also Grange Hill and The Smiths. It's not going to be for everyone, especially if you're much older or younger than me, or not au fait with British culture in the 80s. But you probably shouldn't be reading it then, it's not for you!
September 11, 2025
This might be the last one I read for a while. This particular collection wasn't as gripping to me as the others I've read. It felt like a drug trip which isn't necessarily bad but I did personally struggle to latch onto any of the stories.
I enjoyed the various art styles throughout. The artwork is always fun and extremely well done. The characters themselves are all well written and funny.
I enjoyed the various art styles throughout. The artwork is always fun and extremely well done. The characters themselves are all well written and funny.
October 10, 2018
I think I have to admit that Tank Girl at least in its original form is just not for me. The art is great, but ultimately all it has behind it besides that is crude jokes, manic plots, and british humor I don't understand. That's just not enough to captivate me.
October 7, 2019
Good but not as good as the 2 others
March 27, 2020
With the art I haven't minded the stray from a narrative but I think I've reached my limit on Martin's vulgarity and intentional offensive writing.
December 27, 2018
Tercer y probablemente último tomo de Tank Girl en edición argentina. Con este se completa la trilogía original, pero la editorial todavía no confirmó ni negó si continuará con alguno de los tomos especiales restantes.
March 16, 2012
Not as good as the first two in my opinion, but this one has actual complete stories. There's still some really nice art and panels, but I feel like it's not as striking. There's some full page art work with great inking.
Can't say there's much of a story in any of this, ie one little story was just Jet Girl talking to herself in the 3rd person, having a domestic abuse spat...with herself. And something about piling up rocks, exploding them, and seeing where they land. My favorite one was about Booga with raging morning wood, and the only solution is for Tank Girl to make a Christmas pudding. This involves going on a crazy adventure, getting the ingredients, and encountering all sorts of weirdos.
You can definitely see where the Gorillaz style art work begins to creep in, so if that's what you're looking for, you won't be disappointed. I believe this collection is mostly from 1993-4, and Gorillaz started up in '98. The previous two volumes didn't have much of that style at all.
I'm glad I bought it, just because it's part of the collection, but I don't think casual/superhero/mainstream comics readers will really enjoy or appreciate this. It's almost too crazy even for me.
Can't say there's much of a story in any of this, ie one little story was just Jet Girl talking to herself in the 3rd person, having a domestic abuse spat...with herself. And something about piling up rocks, exploding them, and seeing where they land. My favorite one was about Booga with raging morning wood, and the only solution is for Tank Girl to make a Christmas pudding. This involves going on a crazy adventure, getting the ingredients, and encountering all sorts of weirdos.
You can definitely see where the Gorillaz style art work begins to creep in, so if that's what you're looking for, you won't be disappointed. I believe this collection is mostly from 1993-4, and Gorillaz started up in '98. The previous two volumes didn't have much of that style at all.
I'm glad I bought it, just because it's part of the collection, but I don't think casual/superhero/mainstream comics readers will really enjoy or appreciate this. It's almost too crazy even for me.
July 4, 2007
The grand goodbye.
Jamie Hewlett and Alan Martin's last collection of Deadline strips before The movie bombed the magazine that bore it out of existance.
Compared to Volume 2, an new attitude comes. If the first was giddily not listening to the rules, The second running out of that steam and finding fun in cynicism, this book deliberately does not care.
This book is a bike gang rolling into a small town. Hewletts art has found its new form and is deadly in execution.
Popculture of the non popular. References for the in crowd. And stupid sex in dangerous positions. Its ugly nad looks damn attractive with it.
Jamie Hewlett and Alan Martin's last collection of Deadline strips before The movie bombed the magazine that bore it out of existance.
Compared to Volume 2, an new attitude comes. If the first was giddily not listening to the rules, The second running out of that steam and finding fun in cynicism, this book deliberately does not care.
This book is a bike gang rolling into a small town. Hewletts art has found its new form and is deadly in execution.
Popculture of the non popular. References for the in crowd. And stupid sex in dangerous positions. Its ugly nad looks damn attractive with it.
December 9, 2013
I love Hewlett's art and the free-flow of Martin's stories, but this collection is a bit too disjointed. Quite a bit of supplemental stuff from other artists and writers that just wasn't up to snuff.
July 15, 2014
So much in your face anarchic fun, so much happening in this collected issues of madness from an array of bounty hunters, all new Jet Girl, British band, The Smiths to Booger's giant tent pole of doom.
July 14, 2007
Back to tits and guns. Fantastic.
March 1, 2010
5 stars for the art, the stories vary from 3 to 4 stars..the same can be said for all 3 of the collections
July 20, 2011
Can't fault the artwork but I enjoyed Tank Girl the Odyssey a lot more...
March 31, 2016
A pesar de los años mantiene su frescura, ya quisieran muchos dibujantes actuales tener este estilo.
May 16, 2025
Placer calamitoso pero no culposo. Encima este tomo tenía un montón de páginas a color y una edición correctísima.
March 16, 2021
Many of the jokes go over my head since I assume the references are before my time but it's a fun wacky absurdist ride all the same. The art is so satisfying too. Highly recommend
June 9, 2024
Libro de historietas con ISBN propio. Tomo 3/3.
October 20, 2017
amazing!
Read
March 25, 2018Edición argentina. Tomo 3 prometido para antes de mitad de año.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews