Paper Girls vol 1 Review — You Don't Read Comics

May 20

May 20 Paper Girls vol 1 Review

Paper Girls is a book written by Brian K Vaughn. It follows a young group of girls with one thing in common; it is their job to deliver the newspapers. However, when weird things start to happen around the neighborhood they will have more important things on their mind... Like staying alive and figuring out just what the hell is going on!

This story, like similar stories before it, takes place in the 80s. We are reminded of this several times throughout, however, there is a good reason for this and it pays of near the end of the book- which I obviously won't spoil here!

The book feels like a nostalgic Spielberg film. Very Goonies-inspired! This rag tag group of kids stumble into an adventure that is much bigger than they are and we as the reader are whisked along with them! It's fun, it's entertaining and there are several exciting twists along the way.

The characters are relatable and you could really picture yourself hanging out with them (although I'm not sure that I would be considered cool or young enough). They look out for each other, even if they've only just met. Which is very endearing! We are introduced to the gang through the new girl, Erin, who is just beginning as a paper girl. The characters serve as a drastic reminder of how different things are nowadays. They don't have phones, they have walkie talkies! At no point are they able to just Google what's going on. They talk about the pop culture of the time which isn't necessarily something that I can relate to but it does help to make the conversations more authentic. This will be particularly enjoyable for any older readers!

It seems like an alien invasion but as you get through the book, the girls realise it is nowhere near as simple as that... This series has been a revelation to me and I can't wait to pick up the second volume to see what happens next!

Cliff Chiang is on art duties and he creates a lot of cool concepts to make the strange invaders seem even stranger. His art style is perfect for a series such as this.

Also, the art isn't as muted as my examples may lead you to believe, however, the exciting colourful bits would be considered spoilers and so I will leave it to you to go read the book and find out for yourself. Matt Wilson does an incredible job on colours. He obviously has an incredible array of colours to choose from but it is his restraint that truly helps to make the world of this book work.

I recommend this book and I'm sure the second volume is just as good. Give it a go if you're feeling nostalgic or if you're just looking for something new to break from all of the Superhero comic fatigue! Paper Girls Volume 1 gets a great, big A from me!