By Jacob Cordas — I’m unsurprisingly a fan of anime. I didn’t get into until I was an adult though, so a lot of the conventions I never developed the same fondness for (or maybe tolerance of?) that most of my friends have. And almost nothing in anime frustrates me more than a filler episode. 

For those unfamiliar, the filler episode is an episode placed in between arcs to allow for narrative decompression. In the last few minutes, they often reference the overarching story plot or tease at what is next, but fundamentally these are episodes to be singular, self-contained mini adventures. And even then, that’s assuming they have an adventure at all. Quite often, these episodes will see the characters lounging in various different settings in out-of-place-for-the-show, sexually-charged outfits (ex. literally every anime beach episode ever made). 

I say all of this to say that Money Shot #6 is a filler episode, but maybe the first one I’ve ever truly loved. 

The issue is clearly positioned to bridge the gap between two arcs. The narrative is predominantly self-contained with the main thrust of the issue being dedicated to Dr. Ocambo’s anxiety over contracting an STD. There is even a tag at the end that keys us in on the next narrative arc (which I am very hyped for). It hits all the beats of a usual filler episode, but it constantly subverts the form at the same time, creating a wonderfully-unique take on a story trope I thought I hated. 

Writers Tim Seeley and Sarah Bettie have been writing this excellent series with a confidence that underpins the batshit idea. This comic could’ve easily devolved into the kind of unpleasantness of something like Species Review, but instead, with its focus on sex positivity, Money Shot has consistently churned out high quality erotic art. And in this issue, the entire team really sings. 

The narrative focus on a character’s anxiety over an STD is such a smart choice. I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve ever seen this depicted in any real way. With the alien element, it gives such an easy in for a topic that I can’t believe I’ve never really read before. Her WebMD descent into madness matches so perfectly against the ease of the solution. This is such a great way to establish the culture of fear around sexuality while allowing the character the ability to grow out of it. 

Rebekah Isaacs’ line work and Kurt Michael Russel’s colors have served as such a perfect partnership. His colors bring her already lively lines such a vibrancy. Regardless of whether they are on an alien world or in a sports bar, it all breathes. An alien or a robot cat? Doesn’t matter because it all feels real to this world. I struggle to imagine anyone else coloring her work just as much as I struggle to imagine him coloring anyone else’s lines. This pair is just a perfect artistic machine. 

Finally I do want to touch on the letters by Crank!. The work here is excellent. Most notably the work with Curie in this issue is excellent. There is a playfulness to the mechanical nature of the character’s dialogue that Crank! is able to highlight so well. 

All around, this is a great break in the adventure. While I am excited for the next arc, I wouldn’t mind taking more breaks with them. Regardless of plot progression, Money Shot is always a blast. 

Overall: Money Shot #6 is a fun diversion between story arcs. While I may be excited to get to the next plot, I can’t help but love every second I’m getting to spend with these characters. 9/10

Money Shot #6 - Review

Money Shot #6
Writer: Tim Seeley and Sarah Bettie 
Artist: Rebekah Isaacs
Colorist: Kurt Michael Russel
Letterer: Crank!Publisher: Vault 
Price: $3.99 
The XXX-plorers embark on their second mission to a naughty world (that may have inspired the biblical Hell...or at the very least ripped it off). But whips, chains and spanks have nothing on the torture of STD testing! Meanwhile, a powerful romance rocks an alien empire to its core, with intimate consequences for our scientists-turned-porn-stars! A great jumping on point for new readers -- or a comfortable place to sit and rock for current fans.
Release Date: July 08, 2020
Buy It Digitally: Money Shot #6

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My name is Jacob Cordas (@jacweasel) and I am not qualified to write this.