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Paper Girls (Single Issues) #1
Paper Girls #1
SAGA writer BRIAN K. VAUGHAN launches a brand-new ONGOING SERIES with superstar Wonder Woman artist CLIFF CHIANG! In the early hours after Halloween of 1988, four 12-year-old newspaper delivery girls uncover the most important story of all time. Stand By Me meets War of the Worlds in this mysterious young adult adventure, starting with a spectacular DOUBLE-SIZED FIRST ISSUE for the regular price of just $2.99!
51 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 2015
46 people are currently reading
2717 people want to read
About the author
Brian K. Vaughan
1,056 books14.1k followersBrian K. Vaughan is the writer and co-creator of comic-book series including SAGA, PAPER GIRLS, Y THE LAST MAN, RUNAWAYS, and most recently, BARRIER, a digital comic with artist Marcos Martin about immigration, available from their pay-what-you-want site www.PanelSyndicate.com
BKV's work has been recognized at the Eisner, Harvey, Hugo, Shuster, Eagle, and British Fantasy Awards. He sometimes writes for film and television in Los Angeles, where he lives with his family and their dogs Hamburger and Milkshake.
BKV's work has been recognized at the Eisner, Harvey, Hugo, Shuster, Eagle, and British Fantasy Awards. He sometimes writes for film and television in Los Angeles, where he lives with his family and their dogs Hamburger and Milkshake.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 340 reviews
December 24, 2025
(A-) 83% | Very Good
Notes: Read in trade paperback. Collective review for issues #1-5 can be found here: Paper Girls, Volume 1.
Notes: Read in trade paperback. Collective review for issues #1-5 can be found here: Paper Girls, Volume 1.
September 7, 2023
i like the writing so much, i don't like the art, or atleast one aspect of the art, i think this artist has no business making human faces, two of the girls look like identical twins, all the faces have the same shape, i ll not talk about the clothes the girls wear because maybe that is just a sign of the age the story takes place in.
but here we go again A Brian K Vaughan comic that is not from the 90th when he used to work for marvel and write bad stuff lol, it looks like it will be amazing sci-fi journey.
these strange guys seem like they are humans from the future, something happened to them that messed them up, the apple processor or whatever that was makes me wanna jump to an even wilder conclusion that maybe they came back to stop apple from ever being made? but yeah that is like too easy a scenario to predict, probably not what will happen.
but here we go again A Brian K Vaughan comic that is not from the 90th when he used to work for marvel and write bad stuff lol, it looks like it will be amazing sci-fi journey.
these strange guys seem like they are humans from the future, something happened to them that messed them up, the apple processor or whatever that was makes me wanna jump to an even wilder conclusion that maybe they came back to stop apple from ever being made? but yeah that is like too easy a scenario to predict, probably not what will happen.
October 24, 2015
It’s the day after Halloween in 1988 and Erin sets out on her very early morning paper run in the sleepy little town of Stony Stream, Ohio. But there are a trio of shadowy figures in black robes and a sack prowling the neighbourhood - are they trick or treaters who’ve stayed out far too late or… something else?
Paper Girls is Brian K Vaughan’s second new series this year which describes itself as Stand By Me crossed with War of the Worlds. Based on this double-sized first issue? Naaaahhh. On both counts. At least so far.
Despite being twice the normal length of a comic, very, very little happens. Vaughan introduces our group of Paper Girls, Erin (the protagonist), Mac (the Han Solo of the group) and the two forgettable ones, KJ and Tiffany. They convincingly talk like teens which is expected from the writer of Marvel’s Runaways. But they don’t talk about much. It’s just waffle.
A sort of plot emerges once the three shadowy figures appear but it’s not that exciting. Maybe I’ve seen too many 80s movies? It feels very much of its time which I suppose is another laudable aspect of Vaughan’s writing.
I’m sure many of you read Brian Azzarello’s New 52 Wonder Woman so you know Cliff Chiang can draw. The suburban setting of Paper Girls requires much less razmatazz on his part but it’s still a great looking issue.
Vaughan knows how to structure a comic so the final page is a big WTF that’ll hook readers into picking up issue 2 (and that includes me) but given how epic and dramatic his other new series this year, We Stand on Guard, was, Paper Girls feels very underwhelming. I don’t need massive scale stories in every comic but compared to his last two comics, We Stand on Guard and The Private Eye, Paper Girls isn’t fizzing with fresh ideas and great scenes and comes off as a little stale.
It’s Brian K Vaughan so Paper Girls #1 is still a decent read - the dialogue is snappy and the main characters are likeable even if a lot of the issue feels flimsy and in need of a driving plot. An ok start then but a very ordinary comic which is disappointing given the talent involved.
Paper Girls is Brian K Vaughan’s second new series this year which describes itself as Stand By Me crossed with War of the Worlds. Based on this double-sized first issue? Naaaahhh. On both counts. At least so far.
Despite being twice the normal length of a comic, very, very little happens. Vaughan introduces our group of Paper Girls, Erin (the protagonist), Mac (the Han Solo of the group) and the two forgettable ones, KJ and Tiffany. They convincingly talk like teens which is expected from the writer of Marvel’s Runaways. But they don’t talk about much. It’s just waffle.
A sort of plot emerges once the three shadowy figures appear but it’s not that exciting. Maybe I’ve seen too many 80s movies? It feels very much of its time which I suppose is another laudable aspect of Vaughan’s writing.
I’m sure many of you read Brian Azzarello’s New 52 Wonder Woman so you know Cliff Chiang can draw. The suburban setting of Paper Girls requires much less razmatazz on his part but it’s still a great looking issue.
Vaughan knows how to structure a comic so the final page is a big WTF that’ll hook readers into picking up issue 2 (and that includes me) but given how epic and dramatic his other new series this year, We Stand on Guard, was, Paper Girls feels very underwhelming. I don’t need massive scale stories in every comic but compared to his last two comics, We Stand on Guard and The Private Eye, Paper Girls isn’t fizzing with fresh ideas and great scenes and comes off as a little stale.
It’s Brian K Vaughan so Paper Girls #1 is still a decent read - the dialogue is snappy and the main characters are likeable even if a lot of the issue feels flimsy and in need of a driving plot. An ok start then but a very ordinary comic which is disappointing given the talent involved.
October 12, 2015
Some thoughts I had while reading the first issue of Paper Girls:
1. This is very 'Dr. Manhattan on Mars'.
2. Why are these boys out at 4:40am dressed in what could be mistaken as quirky burglar costumes.
3. Boys are big jerky jerks.
4. Young girls hollering back with words I wouldn't normally be comfortable with, I dig it.
5. How many cigarettes does this girl wanna light up in under 5 minutes?
6. I see where the Stand By Me inspiration comes in.
7. All of these bomber jackets got me feeling all nostalgic n stuff.
8. Does this 12 year old girl wield hockey sticks at 5am all the time?
9. So I guess this is where War of the Worlds not so indirectly plays in?
10. Do something girl!!
11. Bless that hockey stick!
12. An apple?
13. Ohhh, an Apple™
To conclude: jump on Paper Girls asap!!
1. This is very 'Dr. Manhattan on Mars'.
2. Why are these boys out at 4:40am dressed in what could be mistaken as quirky burglar costumes.
3. Boys are big jerky jerks.
4. Young girls hollering back with words I wouldn't normally be comfortable with, I dig it.
5. How many cigarettes does this girl wanna light up in under 5 minutes?
6. I see where the Stand By Me inspiration comes in.
7. All of these bomber jackets got me feeling all nostalgic n stuff.
8. Does this 12 year old girl wield hockey sticks at 5am all the time?
9. So I guess this is where War of the Worlds not so indirectly plays in?
10. Do something girl!!
11. Bless that hockey stick!
12. An apple?
13. Ohhh, an Apple™
To conclude: jump on Paper Girls asap!!
February 16, 2016
1988, paper girls version (that's delivering papers kinda paper girls, not ones made outta paper!) of Stand by Me meets War of the Worlds. So anyone could have done this, but BRIAN VAUGHN is doing the characterization and dialogue and Cliff Chiang is doing the artwork, so it's a step up from your average fare. B=Vaughn has two other series I have not read so that may change my view of how good this is, but so far I like it, it's entertaining. Mainly because Vaughn. But too early tell, maybe, but it's Vaughn, so will probably be great. It's maybe closer to 3.5 in the first issue here, but I got the next couple ones already...
March 21, 2020
I have nothing but questions after reading this super short first volume, but they are the “ermagerd I need to know what is going on!” type of questions. I’m so very intrigued. It’s available to read here
https://imagecomics.com/read/paper-girls
but if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to go spend a bunch of money on the rest of the series immediately after. I resisted, for what it’s worth, but it’ll happen someday, I’m sure!
Fair warning, this is set in the eighties, and not all of the the ‘nostalgia’ is of the happy sort. Decade-prevalent slurs are certainly present.
https://imagecomics.com/read/paper-girls
but if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to go spend a bunch of money on the rest of the series immediately after. I resisted, for what it’s worth, but it’ll happen someday, I’m sure!
Fair warning, this is set in the eighties, and not all of the the ‘nostalgia’ is of the happy sort. Decade-prevalent slurs are certainly present.
October 24, 2015
I picked this up on a whim because I used to be a paper girl (except we always said "paper carrier"), in the Cleveland area, no less! So how could I resist? This double issue was a terrific opener for a comic series. I hope the next issue is this good. (Taps fingers waiting for November 4.)
March 26, 2024
I really liked the art and I would be willing to continue. Since this is the first of the single issues I don’t really have much thoughts. Three Stars.
April 28, 2020
I loved the color palate and the girls. It remained me of Stranger Things
May 5, 2020
Saga flashback on page 4!
Confusing start. Love the artwork. I am pretty sure I flipped through the beginning of this comic before and didn‘t like it much at the time. But I can’t find any record of it. Time has passed, I have read a lot more comics and I like this!
Had to double-check: this is set on November 1, 1988. I can‘t tell you without spoiler tags, why I confirmed that date. So I am not telling you. Instead I will now read the collected Volume 1, which I managed to get for free in German.
Alternate reading:
- H. G. Wells, War of the Worlds
Confusing start. Love the artwork. I am pretty sure I flipped through the beginning of this comic before and didn‘t like it much at the time. But I can’t find any record of it. Time has passed, I have read a lot more comics and I like this!
Had to double-check: this is set on November 1, 1988. I can‘t tell you without spoiler tags, why I confirmed that date. So I am not telling you. Instead I will now read the collected Volume 1, which I managed to get for free in German.
Alternate reading:
- H. G. Wells, War of the Worlds
November 16, 2015
This is the first issue in a new series by Brian K Vaughn and of course I had to pick it up because I already love Vaughn's other stuff. This was also extra special as it's a double-length first issue and so you can really sink yourself into the storyline. We are following a young 12 year old, called Erin as she is delivering her papers in the early morning in her town. She's a pretty normal character and the premise of the story is fairly 'mundane' when you describe it, but the storyline is exciting because it also has some fantastical elements and all of the characters are engaging to read about.
I also have to say that the artwork is pretty good in this book. The colouring is definitely working for me, as it looks just beautiful, but the actual design work is fairly sketchy in places. Overall I think it works really well as a story and I am definitely going to be on the look out for issue 2 because I am sure it will also be really fun. It's definitely a twist on a mundane idea, and I like it a lot!
Overall, 4*s :)
I also have to say that the artwork is pretty good in this book. The colouring is definitely working for me, as it looks just beautiful, but the actual design work is fairly sketchy in places. Overall I think it works really well as a story and I am definitely going to be on the look out for issue 2 because I am sure it will also be really fun. It's definitely a twist on a mundane idea, and I like it a lot!
Overall, 4*s :)
February 2, 2016
[Image Comics] FIRST ISSUES: The Good (Full review on the WondrousBooks blog.)
I can’t exactly pinpoint the charm of Paper Girls but it’s undeniable that I liked it a lot. Sure, the drawings are nice, the story is shaping up pretty well, the humor is enjoyable. But all of those, or at least most of them, apply to many of the comic books on this list which I still rated lower. So why I felt like 4 stars was the appropriate rating? Beats me.
However, I do think I’m slowly but steadily becoming a fan of Brian K. Vaughan. Whatever I have read out of his works has always been very creative and funny in a snarky way and at the same time sort of disgustingly creepy but not terrifying. Does that make sense? I sure hope so.
I can’t exactly pinpoint the charm of Paper Girls but it’s undeniable that I liked it a lot. Sure, the drawings are nice, the story is shaping up pretty well, the humor is enjoyable. But all of those, or at least most of them, apply to many of the comic books on this list which I still rated lower. So why I felt like 4 stars was the appropriate rating? Beats me.
However, I do think I’m slowly but steadily becoming a fan of Brian K. Vaughan. Whatever I have read out of his works has always been very creative and funny in a snarky way and at the same time sort of disgustingly creepy but not terrifying. Does that make sense? I sure hope so.
May 14, 2025
Not impressed. And I didn't get any Stranger Things vibes either. But I'm still gonna read the next issue bcoz of the ending.
September 3, 2022
Pues es demasiado corto como para decidir si me gusta o si quiero leer toda la serie. Sí planeo seguir leyéndolos porque parece una propuesta prometedora, pero por ahora solo pienso que estas niñas son medio unas inconscientes y no sé si me gusta mucho su actitud, sobre todo la de Mac, pero ya iré viendo.
Read
October 25, 2015Love, love, love, love, love. I'm ready for issue #2 right now.
A fun, feminist scifi adventure set on Halloween night in the 80s when a rag tag team of female paper delivery girls stumble upon a machine created in honor of WAR OF THE WORLDS 50th anniversary.
A fun, feminist scifi adventure set on Halloween night in the 80s when a rag tag team of female paper delivery girls stumble upon a machine created in honor of WAR OF THE WORLDS 50th anniversary.
December 10, 2017
Empieza bien esta serie... No ocurre demasiado en esta primera parte, pero me está dando la sensación que tiene un rollo a Stranger Things. No puedo esperar a seguir leyendo
June 8, 2017
BADASS GIRLS YASSSS
November 29, 2017
No he entendido nada de lo que ha pasado pero me ha encantado, y qué preciosidad de ilustraciones y todo. Y qué final. Wtf. QUÉ GANAS DE VER QUÉ PASA.
March 20, 2020
Too short for me to rate it four, I am intrigued though.
Can be read here for free: https://imagecomics.com/read/paper-girls
Can be read here for free: https://imagecomics.com/read/paper-girls
Read
December 6, 2017Yıllardır beklettiğim şeyi okumanın verdiği mutluluk ve sayının harikalığı?
October 28, 2015
I used to be a paper girl too, just never happened to bump into awesome crazy shit like this. I'd read Vaughan's grocery list, and this issue was a brief but great start to what could be a promising series.
February 28, 2021
How I LOVED the color palette for this one!
The use of neon on the cover also had me in awe. 10/10 for the artwork--it's so eye-catching and beautiful. Might even beat Saga's, who knows.
As for the story, it does feel very Stranger Things-ish at times and, given the context in which the comic takes place and its characters, I'm expecting it to be similar to the Netflix show. But I don't like ST, so I'm hopimg this is better.
The use of neon on the cover also had me in awe. 10/10 for the artwork--it's so eye-catching and beautiful. Might even beat Saga's, who knows.
As for the story, it does feel very Stranger Things-ish at times and, given the context in which the comic takes place and its characters, I'm expecting it to be similar to the Netflix show. But I don't like ST, so I'm hopimg this is better.
November 11, 2018
No me tarde nada en leerlo, pero me tarde más en saber si estaba leyendo el primer tomo o que? Ya me he conseguido hasta el 13 pero me di cuenta que son 15 .-. y no los encuentro por ningún lado! Todavía estoy algo confundida igual, nunca había leído comics que no sean de Marvel.
Si alguien sabe más, agradezco información!
Si alguien sabe más, agradezco información!
August 27, 2017
I have to say that the cover looks whitewashed, though this could be due to the background.
However, this is an awesome comic. Four tough as nail pre-teen girls take on aliens. I'm in.
However, this is an awesome comic. Four tough as nail pre-teen girls take on aliens. I'm in.
July 15, 2022
very good first issue and the art is amazing
October 14, 2015
Wow. For a first issue, this was fantastic. I'm a huge Marvel fan, but honestly, the more Image comics I read, the more I love them.
This, Copperhead, and Hack/Slash are all great, in my opinion, and damn, I can't wait for number 2.
"Hey, whichever dumb fucks just robbed our friend, if you can hear this, get ready... We're coming to get our shit back."
woop woop
This, Copperhead, and Hack/Slash are all great, in my opinion, and damn, I can't wait for number 2.
"Hey, whichever dumb fucks just robbed our friend, if you can hear this, get ready... We're coming to get our shit back."
woop woop
October 25, 2015
Bullet Review:
I'm desperately needing some comics so I peruse a comic bookstore - whaddya know, Vaughan is back with a new series! It looks FANTASTIC - the characters are diverse and interesting, and the story is intriguing.
I talked briefly with the comic book guy about Y The Last Man; still cannot believe that Vaughan wrote that one after the winners he's done. Weird.
I'm desperately needing some comics so I peruse a comic bookstore - whaddya know, Vaughan is back with a new series! It looks FANTASTIC - the characters are diverse and interesting, and the story is intriguing.
I talked briefly with the comic book guy about Y The Last Man; still cannot believe that Vaughan wrote that one after the winners he's done. Weird.
November 20, 2020
Paper Girls was Stranger Things before it even appeared on Netflix.
Both have the same 80's and supernatural vibe, but I think the girls in the comic were way cooler than the Stranger Things gang, even without Eleven's telekinesis.
The art is good, it sets the tone and setting. This is definitely 80's suburban America, just like the old movies on VHS I used to watch.
Both have the same 80's and supernatural vibe, but I think the girls in the comic were way cooler than the Stranger Things gang, even without Eleven's telekinesis.
The art is good, it sets the tone and setting. This is definitely 80's suburban America, just like the old movies on VHS I used to watch.
September 25, 2017
3.5. The art is not my favourite but I like the colours, the characters seem to have strong personalities (especially Mac) and the ending left me intrigued, so onto the next one!
June 22, 2017
La única pega es que me ha dejado con la intriga. Me ha puesto la miel en los labios y el segundo número no me lo trae la tienda de cómics hasta dentro de un par de semanas XD
El de la tienda ya me lo había advertido y tengo que darle la razón, tiene una ambientación que recuerda a Stranger Things; lo que quiere decir que nos recuerda mucho a la película Stand by Me. Dibujos muy buenos e historia coherente. Con las pocas páginas que he leído no puedo hacerme demasiado a la idea de cómo continuará, pero ha conseguido que desee seguir leyendo sobre estas chicas.
El de la tienda ya me lo había advertido y tengo que darle la razón, tiene una ambientación que recuerda a Stranger Things; lo que quiere decir que nos recuerda mucho a la película Stand by Me. Dibujos muy buenos e historia coherente. Con las pocas páginas que he leído no puedo hacerme demasiado a la idea de cómo continuará, pero ha conseguido que desee seguir leyendo sobre estas chicas.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 340 reviews