Reviews with content warning for Suicide attempt - Paper Girls 1

This is probably my favorite of the 5 American comic books I picked up at the library to help with my GoodReads Challenge. I haven't finished one, but it's been slow going.

The story starts with four scrappy papergirls in 1988--Erin, Mac, Tiffany, and KJ--sticking together for safety in numbers on the early morning the day after Halloween. Things take a turn for the weird when a walkie talkie is stolen from one of the girls by a trio of hooded figures speaking a strange language. They soon find that their suburban Ohio neighborhood has become

the battleground of a time traveling generational conflict and the rest of the town is missing.

The girls are a nice mix of personalities, and I look forward to seeing them bounce off of each other in future volumes.

Especially now that three of the girls have run into a future version of Erin.

This story is not for the faint of heart and definitely earns its T+ rating. Not only does it not shy away from blood and profanity (Mac spends most of her time swearing and smoking), but one girl goes into shock after a brawl and vomits and at another point

a girl is accidentally shot after another wrestles a gun away from her suicidal stepmother.

It hasn't felt gratuitous yet. But just because the protagonists are eighth graders doesn't mean actual eighth graders are up for this.

Art is good. Expressive, nice inking, eye catching color schemes, and great use of shading.

Content Warnings

alexandrac's review against another edition

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dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

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mikmill's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

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kingrosereads's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

YA science fiction graphic novel following four 12-year-old paper girls from 1988.

This first book just jumps right into the action and the meat of the plot. Barely introduced to the four characters: Erin, Max, K.J., and Tiffany before they’re thrust into some alternate dimension with monsters, aliens, and modified humans from the future. The girls start their paper route dealing with pervy older bullies before Tiffany’s walkie talkie is stolen and the group tries to hunt down the thieves. They come upon a strange machine and are transported to an alternate dimension that looked like their home but has monsters and weird humans. Now they’re racing for their lives to get home.

It’s very fast paced. There’s no real introduction, it just jumps right in. It’s also pretty graphic for a young adult book. It does have a little of a Stranger Things vibe to it, but it’s its own story. However, there’s quite a few homophobic comments that I’m sure someone justified as being “part of the times”. There’s also an attempted sexual assault. And there’s a suicide attempt and a child is shot. So check your triggers. It is a little out there and confusing. Every other panel is jerking you from one direction to another.

The art is beautiful and it’s interesting enough to want to come back for more.

Content Warnings

sarahsbookss's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

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elskabee's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

I'll admit I'm intrigued from this first volume, but I wouldn't say I love it.

Content Warnings

mengzhenreads's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Even though this book had a few weird pacing issues in the beginning, once the ball got rolling it ROLLED and I was instantly hooked. I’m in love with the art style and the gorgeous color palette, and the story seems really entertaining! I’m definitely excited to see where it’ll go.

Content Warnings

semogecarg's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny mysterious

Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

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