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Misfit City #1
Misfit City #1
Nothing’s happened in Wilder’s hometown since they filmed that cult kids’ adventure movie there in the 80s...but that’s ancient history. Until one day, she and her friends come upon a centuries-old pirate map drawn by someone named Black Mary...and find out there might be some REAL adventure in their tiny town after all!
26 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 10, 2017
8 people are currently reading
592 people want to read
About the author
Kirsten "Kiwi" Smith
28 books115 followersKirsten Smith is a screenwriter and authors. She co-wrote LEGALLY BLONDE, 10THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU, SHE'S THE MAN and ELLA ENCHANTED. She co-wrote and executive produced THE HOUSE BUNNY and THE UGLY TRUTH. She executive produced WHIP IT.
She has written two YA novels, THE GEOGRAPHY OF GIRLHOOD and TRINKETS, the latter of which is being made into a Netflix series, due out in 2019.
She has had over 40 poems published in literary magazines like The Gettysburg Review, Shenandoah and The Massachusetts Review.
She has also co-written two graphic novels, MISFIT CITY and SMOOTH CRIMINALS.
A native of the Pacific Northwest, she lives in Los Angeles with her MISFIT CITY & SMOOTH CRIMINALS co-author Kurt Lustgarten and their two dogs.
She has written two YA novels, THE GEOGRAPHY OF GIRLHOOD and TRINKETS, the latter of which is being made into a Netflix series, due out in 2019.
She has had over 40 poems published in literary magazines like The Gettysburg Review, Shenandoah and The Massachusetts Review.
She has also co-written two graphic novels, MISFIT CITY and SMOOTH CRIMINALS.
A native of the Pacific Northwest, she lives in Los Angeles with her MISFIT CITY & SMOOTH CRIMINALS co-author Kurt Lustgarten and their two dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
August 1, 2018
I’ve been counting for this issue to come out ever since I saw it featured in this spectacular piece. What caught my eye in particular was this next paragraph describing the characters in Misfit City:
In this enterprising, but still slightly skeptical, crew are: Wilder, the de-facto leader and a budding young activist; her nose-blind-yet-genius dog Pippin; snark musician (and best friend) Macy; New Age optimist Karma; hustle-seeking Ed; and the book-loving Dot.
It sounded right up my alley, especially with recently having read and adored Spell on Wheels, since it looked like Misfit City might have a similar group dynamic. And it really was!!
This follows a diverse group of friends living in Cannon Cove, Oregon. Home to lush seaside forests, pirate legends, tasty oysters, and the filming location for one of the most beloved kids' adventure movies of all time. It's the perfect place to grow up...to everyone who isn't from here.
(The girls from left to right: Karma, Wilder, Dot, Macy.)
And I know that this is only the first issue in the overall story, but it had me so hooked and invested from the start. Here's just a few points on what I cherished:
• The art is really reminiscent of what I'm used to with Faith Erin Hicks. Also, the color palette is incredibly lively and warm. I love it.
• I instantly connected with Macy because I love the fact that she's in a band that's described as "an electropunk feminist noise duo." I really hope to see more of her. Oh, and also more of Karma because I love her endless optimism and eccentricities.
• Also, the dialogue and vibes are on-point in this comic, which I came to understand why when I read that Misfit City is written by award-winning screenwriter Kiwi Smith (10 Things I Hate About You, Legally Blonde) (Aka two of my most rewatched films).
• You can count me in to follow this rip-roaring adventure from issue to issue.
4/5 stars
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July 16, 2017
Have to see where this is going.
September 19, 2017
Update: Read it again to refresh my memory before diving into the next three issues. Loved it even MORE the second time around!
....
Oh, 80's nostalgia is beautifully alive and well!
.
An homage to my all-time favorite movie - The Goonies ❤ - led by a fabulous, treasure-hunting female ensemble and all the glorious, familiar character tropes.
.
I'm in love.
....
Oh, 80's nostalgia is beautifully alive and well!
.
An homage to my all-time favorite movie - The Goonies ❤ - led by a fabulous, treasure-hunting female ensemble and all the glorious, familiar character tropes.
.
I'm in love.
September 1, 2018
Confession: I do not have 80s nostalgia. I don't really care about The Goonies. I mean I remember seeing it and enjoying it as a kid but that's it. Being a fat kid, it was hard watching another be the butt of the joke.
But, I loved the art and it was in a Humble Bundle. I read it, I enjoyed it, I'll finish it in Vol. 2. There's been no fat jokes or problematic shit. It's not all white people.
I love the cynical, bored, ordinary girl teens with their attitudes. They've got understandable edge that doesn't come off as fake and trying too hard like when some adults write them. 👏👏👏
But, I loved the art and it was in a Humble Bundle. I read it, I enjoyed it, I'll finish it in Vol. 2. There's been no fat jokes or problematic shit. It's not all white people.
I love the cynical, bored, ordinary girl teens with their attitudes. They've got understandable edge that doesn't come off as fake and trying too hard like when some adults write them. 👏👏👏
October 31, 2017
... meh? I'm not really sold yet. The plot is intriguing tho, so I might continue the series
May 20, 2017
4.5/5 stars
It is a truth universally acknowledged that my three favourite films are Pride and Prejudice (Joe Wright, 2005); Fantastic Mr Fox (Wes Anderson, 2009); and The Goonies (Richard Donner, 1985). So obviously, this is now one of my favourite comics of all time.
The first time I ever understood what The Goonies was about, I was eight years old (I'd been watching it for several years, whenever my mum put it on). This was before I fell in love with Sean Astin in LOTR and the TMNT cartoon, and before my Corey Feldman obsession, spurned on by my love for The Goonies and The Lost Boys, that lasted between the years 2009 and 2012. You wanna know how much I loved that film? I wrote SELF-INSERT FANFICTION ABOUT IT, because I thought it was sorely lacking in young female adventurers not just dragged into it because their boyfriend was keeping his little brother safe, or because their best friend made them tag along (sorry, Andy and Stef, I still love you, and you're still create additions to the Goonies group!)
Which leads very smoothly into this review of the first issue of this comic. Misfit City is set in a town where, in the 80s, a cult kid's adventure movie was filmed there (!), called The Gloomies (!!), because of the fog that settles over the town for 90% of the year. Tourists role in and out, the butt of many mocking jokes and rip-off tourist attractions, to see the town in all of its glory, and the people that live there just can't wait for them to leave.
In this issue, we're introduced to a great cast: there's Wilder, a budding activist; Macy, her snarky musician best mate; optimistic and Luna Lovegood-esque Karma; nerdy and already incredibly relatable Dot (she's chubby, like meee, and she probably won't be the butt of many jokes like Chunk was!); and Pippin, who's a total hustler despite being a dog. There's also Ed, another hustler, who kinda seems like the lesbian role model every gay girl has a crush on growing up. I know I have a crush on her. Essentially,
I went out of my way to read certain pages several times, going back on myself, re-reading, just so I could firmly grasp the plot and characters. This series is already setting out to be one of my favourites, not only on the basis that it's essentially an all-female Goonies (I know, I'm still not over it!), but also because the art is great and just really aesthetically pleasing, the characters are already wickedly diverse, and the villains seem like they are going to be cheesy and over the top, which is perfect- I wouldn't have them any other way!
Would I recommend this? Hell yes! In what world WOULDN'T I? I will be avidly waiting the release of the second issue.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that my three favourite films are Pride and Prejudice (Joe Wright, 2005); Fantastic Mr Fox (Wes Anderson, 2009); and The Goonies (Richard Donner, 1985). So obviously, this is now one of my favourite comics of all time.
The first time I ever understood what The Goonies was about, I was eight years old (I'd been watching it for several years, whenever my mum put it on). This was before I fell in love with Sean Astin in LOTR and the TMNT cartoon, and before my Corey Feldman obsession, spurned on by my love for The Goonies and The Lost Boys, that lasted between the years 2009 and 2012. You wanna know how much I loved that film? I wrote SELF-INSERT FANFICTION ABOUT IT, because I thought it was sorely lacking in young female adventurers not just dragged into it because their boyfriend was keeping his little brother safe, or because their best friend made them tag along (sorry, Andy and Stef, I still love you, and you're still create additions to the Goonies group!)
Which leads very smoothly into this review of the first issue of this comic. Misfit City is set in a town where, in the 80s, a cult kid's adventure movie was filmed there (!), called The Gloomies (!!), because of the fog that settles over the town for 90% of the year. Tourists role in and out, the butt of many mocking jokes and rip-off tourist attractions, to see the town in all of its glory, and the people that live there just can't wait for them to leave.
In this issue, we're introduced to a great cast: there's Wilder, a budding activist; Macy, her snarky musician best mate; optimistic and Luna Lovegood-esque Karma; nerdy and already incredibly relatable Dot (she's chubby, like meee, and she probably won't be the butt of many jokes like Chunk was!); and Pippin, who's a total hustler despite being a dog. There's also Ed, another hustler, who kinda seems like the lesbian role model every gay girl has a crush on growing up. I know I have a crush on her. Essentially,
I went out of my way to read certain pages several times, going back on myself, re-reading, just so I could firmly grasp the plot and characters. This series is already setting out to be one of my favourites, not only on the basis that it's essentially an all-female Goonies (I know, I'm still not over it!), but also because the art is great and just really aesthetically pleasing, the characters are already wickedly diverse, and the villains seem like they are going to be cheesy and over the top, which is perfect- I wouldn't have them any other way!
Would I recommend this? Hell yes! In what world WOULDN'T I? I will be avidly waiting the release of the second issue.
May 18, 2017
Cute!!
May 30, 2017
I don't tend to write many reviews but I loved this so much! The art is great and so cute! And I already love the characters. I'm super hyped to find out what happens next!
April 25, 2020
"Home to lush seaside forests, pirate legends, tasty oysters, and the filming location for one of the most beloved kids' adventure movies of all time. It's the perfect place to grow up...to everyone who isn't from here."
➽ I find the premise of this very intriguing. Set in Cannon Cove, Oregon - location to the filming of the popular The Gloomies Show, it features a group of friends who have lived there their whole lives. Bored by the hype around the show and the number of tourists that come knocking, the girls (Wilder, Karma, Macy, Ed, and Dot) feel like their life is going in circles until they come across a treasure map that was inherited by the museum, kicking off a potential adventure for all of them. I definitely see potential in this issue, as we see a tight-knit friend group and a mysterious map that for some reason has gathered the attention of other people as well 👀
➽ I didn't realize that this was only the first issue though. I had this checked out from the library, but I thought it was the first volume (they have the same cover). Instead, I got the first issue which was, of course, a lot shorter and didn't offer much more than an introduction. I did think that this was a great start to the story, yet I wanted a bit more as we barely got to know the characters and I couldn't really distinguish between them or get any of their personality yet.
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December 6, 2025
Certainly an interesting start to a series! The series opens with a cast of women who all currently live in a town that's only famous because a movie was filmed there in the 1980s. Other than that, it's your average small Pacific Northwestern town. Each character is unique in design, and they all honestly have pretty cool designs! You get quickly shown the relevance of their town, and the jobs that the women all have. The plot begins a bit jankily, though, and it feels a bit sudden. You're not really eased into it, it's just "Here's the cast, here's their current lives and HERE'S THE PLOT LET'S GO!" It does seem interesting, so I'm going to read more. The art style is what really drew me in and what made me want to read this story in the first place. Hopefully, the plot pacing evens out a bit.
May 27, 2017
I was on Hoopla looking for a graphic novel to read and the cover to this got me. I'm all for seeing people of color in graphic novels. This was cute and fun to read. A diverse group of women that live in a town where an 80s movie was filmed. Shows how fans of the movie "The Gloomies" which of course will make you think of The Goonies come through the town and only want to see memorabilia from the movie and disrespect the rest of the place. I love me some Macy who is quick to speak her mind and seems like a free spirit and there is another character who is all about getting money (can't remember her name). I can't wait to read #2 when it comes out because the ladies will be looking for treasure. This is gonna be good.
December 19, 2017
I'm gonna be honest, this is like... If Lumberjanes was really good.
-The art was beautiful
-Best first issue I've read in a while
-The characters were all interessting and unique. I didn't feel like they were trope-y and they were all distinguishable.
-FANTASTIC STORYLINE
-The setting will definitely be a huge character in this series.
-The art was beautiful
-Best first issue I've read in a while
-The characters were all interessting and unique. I didn't feel like they were trope-y and they were all distinguishable.
-FANTASTIC STORYLINE
-The setting will definitely be a huge character in this series.
August 22, 2020
I thought is was a very fun read.
The pace is decent and the art style is to die for.
I didn't know much going in and have to admit I mostly tried it out because of the art, but I can report that I ended up really enjoying it. I'll have to see where the next few issues go but I have cautiously high hopes for it.
I love the diverse cast and the mystery element to it all.
The pace is decent and the art style is to die for.
I didn't know much going in and have to admit I mostly tried it out because of the art, but I can report that I ended up really enjoying it. I'll have to see where the next few issues go but I have cautiously high hopes for it.
I love the diverse cast and the mystery element to it all.
May 12, 2017
This is fun! I might just wait for the graphic novel to release than read this in issues but we'll see. I like where this is going so far & I love anything that resembles THE GOONIES. I'm in!
Perfect for fans of THE LUMBERJANES too.
Perfect for fans of THE LUMBERJANES too.
June 19, 2017
I loved all of it: the not so subtle nod to the Goonies, the dark misty atmosphere, the awesome girl gang, and the mystery of lost treasure ahh!! This was only a small issue, so I can't wait to see what kind of clues and things they discover and unveil in the next one. I am so totally here for it!
July 15, 2017
Promising first book
A promising first issue centered around a group of girls and a mysterious treasure map. I love the art style and the premise. If you like the goonies, stranger things, or girl gangs solving mysteries I definitely recommend checking this out
A promising first issue centered around a group of girls and a mysterious treasure map. I love the art style and the premise. If you like the goonies, stranger things, or girl gangs solving mysteries I definitely recommend checking this out
October 22, 2018
I don't know if I'm seeing Gravity Falls everywhere or is the cover and credits look like it's from there, not that I'm complaining.
I don't know if this is a keeper, but I'm surely not jumping to the next issue so soon.
I don't know if this is a keeper, but I'm surely not jumping to the next issue so soon.
December 21, 2019
I thought this was fine - I liked the art, but the characters didn't feel that distinctive to me and the plot didn't feel interesting. I gather that there are Goonies references, and I've never seen that movie, so maybe that explains some of my boredom.
May 12, 2017
Really liked the artwork and the story. Can't wait for the next one!
June 8, 2017
I can't wait to get my hands on the next issue!
Awesome artwork + awesome storyline
Awesome artwork + awesome storyline
June 21, 2017
I really dig the premise and the art. I love almost all the boom box stuff so I'm excited to see the rest of the series
July 5, 2017
This is perfect! I can't wait to read more!
September 7, 2017
This is going to be a fun series! With its diverse cast of strong young women I am hooked and can't wait for more!
February 2, 2018
gravity falls meets lumberjanes!!!!!
February 13, 2018
All female version of The Goonies. Why, yes, thank you.
July 15, 2018
This is about the adventures of a group of friends in an Oregon town where nothing ever happens. The town's claim to fame is that it was the location for an '80's teen cult classic movie.
December 8, 2021
Such a thrilling story! I loved all the characters: Wilder, Macy, Dot, Karma, and Pip! The plot was super fun and the art was great. A really quick and intriguing read!
December 28, 2021
it's giving scooby doo
October 28, 2022
So gorgeous - I love all the characters too!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews