The Tank Girl comic has deep roots in punk rock and punk art, “politicized indie counterculture,” and British culture, though it’s set in a fictionalized, post apocalyptic Australia. Unlike many comics, Tank Girl started with a very experimental style. The comics were frequently disorganized, anarchic, absurdist, and psychedelic, with little regard for conventional plot or narrative. The story centers around the eponymous lead, Tank Girl, and her misadventures with her mutant kangaroo boyfriend, Booga. She makes a few serious mistakes on some high profile missions and is thus branded an outlaw. Her sexual proclivities and substance abuse didn’t much help matters, either. The comic became known as a mirror for the growing empowerment of women in punk rock, and “Tank Girl” nights became slang for lesbian gatherings. In short, Tank Girl is one hell of a badass babe and a fabulous, gritty, feminist icon.
Tank Girl became known to the larger public with the 1995 motion picture, starring Lori Petty and Ice-T. After the film, her co-creator and original artist, Jamie Hewlett, formed the band Gorillaz with Blur’s Damon Albarn. Hewlett and his partner Alan Martin are still writing Tank Girl. A new series, called 21st Century Tank Girl, was just released in June of 2015.
Since Tank Girl’s own inspiration has come from so many artistic sources and it makes perfect sense for a cosplayer to take on a different artist’s version of this incredible character. This is exactly what the lovely Lyz Brickley has done with her Tank Girl cosplay. She’s brought to life a design by Shine Artworks that calls to mind the original comic artwork. It’s a really adorable take on the character, and the attitude that Lyz gives in the photo set really sells it. It’s cute, quirky, detailed, fun, and instantly recognizable to any comics’ aficionados – and to anyone who’s even seen an image of Tank Girl. The way Lyz looks in this cosplay, we know she’s about to get into some good trouble.
Photography by Carlos G Photography
[signoff2]
[signoff3]