Review: Paper Girls Vol. 4

Quick Summary

Pros: The charming character interactions and nostalgic references are back and are just as entertaining as before. The book reveals some satisfying information about the mysteries of this series. Though the time travel is confusing, it can also be rewarding. The artwork is gorgeous and matches the book’s tone well.

Cons: Some of the book’s time travel shenanigans are confusing at times.

Overall: This collection takes many of the elements that make this series so endearing and combines them into one volume. This book has great character moments, fun references, and plenty of excitement along the way. It also clues the reader in on some bigger mysteries that are sure to be developed further as this comic progresses. Anyone who has enjoyed this series thus far should continue reading here and anyone who hasn’t read up to this point should consider reading earlier volumes in order to reach this point.

Story

Paper Girls Vol. 4, by Brian K. Vaughan, feels like a return to the chaotic and fun adventure that was present in the comic’s first two volumes. This collection places the Paper Girls in the year 2000, where an epic battle between time traveling forces is being fought right before their eyes. This results in some the action and fun one would expect from this comic but also reveals more about the secrets and mysteries propelling this series forward. The time travel elements can, admittedly, be confusing at points but are very interesting if readers take the time to examine them closely. All in all, this volume is a blast and a solid continuation of this series.

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Once again, some of the most easily recognizable positives in the Paper Girls series are the characters and the nostalgic references. The interactions between the titular Paper Girls still manage to combine cute humor with endearing charm, both of which become more prominent with KJ’s decision to come out of the closet. Meanwhile, references to older computers, older movies, and the fear of Y2K are fun reminders of a time that once was. These elements have been staples of the previous entries in this series and continue to work out well here.

The difference in Paper Girls Vol. 4 is the focus on the time travel war that kicked off all of the events in this series. Readers learn why the time travelers needed to see a newspaper in a previous volume, discover more about the capabilities of the time travelers, and even get to see some of the Grand Father’s history. None of this reveals a ton about the comic’s larger mysteries but it does reveal enough to satisfy interest for the moment.

The only problem with the incorporation of time travel is that it can be confusing at times. At first, I was really thrown off by the use of time travel throughout this book. The Grand Father from previous books is suddenly a much younger man, the war between the young and old is hard to grasp, and flashforwards make the narrative even more confusing. However, in the very last chapter, a lot of this confusion is straightened out and the narrative makes a lot more sense. After hitting this point in the story, I actually went back and reread earlier portions of the book and found them far more enjoyable. I felt it gave the book a rewarding level of complexity but I could also understand if some readers were frustrated by this same feature.

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Art

The artwork in Paper Girls Vol. 4 is as gorgeous as one would expect. Cliff Chiang’s illustrations and Matt Wilson’s colors look like they were created to go alongside one another. This helps craft a version of the early 2000s that accurately represents the nostalgic mood of this particular comic. Alongside this more realistic take on the world, Chiang’s creative work on the story elements from the future injects additional imagination into the mix. This makes the comic feel as fresh and interesting as this series has been from the start. Overall, the visuals in this book are great and make for a more enjoyable reading experience.

Continuity

Paper Girls Vol. 4 continues the story from Paper Girls Vol. 3 (Review).

The story here continues in Paper Girls Vol. 5.