If you were to say the words “comic books,” the first thought that comes to mind for me might be Paper Girls. This is an incredible six-volume series, featuring 30 issues in total, where a group of four newspaper delivery “girls” find themselves in uncharted territory one night when they all meet each other.
The series revolves around ‘80s lingo and insecurities, while enhancing what it means to quickly form bonds of friendship, where trust and empathy are earned. If you haven’t read Paper Girls (yet), think maybe an enhanced Back to the Future meets The Goonies, sprinkled with a dash of Jurassic Park. The creators behind this comic book series present an intriguing world where characters learn from each other, while willing to risk their lives as they navigate the past, present, and future – and the different versions of humanity – even their future selves.
Why Paper Girls Hits Home as a Parent
The idea that every person talks the same, dresses the same, or gets along perfectly is just an impossible notion. Paper Girls presents readers the opportunity to witness characters engage with each other, and sometimes in vulgar terms, but realizing that everyone responds differently; however, we all can relate to one another in some shape or form. It’s the idea of stopping and listening to someone, even if it’s to realize this new acquaintance or friend just comes across differently from anyone else.
One thing my wife and I have tried to do as our kids are ages 13 and going-on-12 is to make sure they know that language doesn’t mean “bad.” If someone communicates and drops F-bombs, it doesn’t make that person unworthy in any way. Something as simple as words can be divisive, especially with an old-school mentality of “don’t hang around with that kid, they curse too much,” or something along those lines. People communicate in all kinds of ways; we just try to make sure they understand time and place – like, let’s not unload any spectacular curse words at school.
Getting to know people means going beyond the surface. Paper Girls delivers that experience exceptionally well. Erin, Tiff, KJ, and Mac join forces to deliver newspapers, but they find themselves hopelessly lost in time within their town of Stony Stream. They quickly realize they can depend on one another, even if that’s not a normal feeling for each character to have. As a father, I love this story because these four teenagers become a determined, unified group where they won’t abandon one another, even when things look perilous, and that’s the type of bonds I want my own kids to share.
What Will a Story like Paper Girls Deliver to My Kids?
I hope Paper Girls will highlight to my kids what independence can look like. Yes, protecting our kids is always a priority, but letting them “spread their wings” is such an important necessity, so they can better make choices the older they get. No, I don’t hope for my kids to travel through time, get injured, fight and kill, or any of that stuff that comes along with Paper Girls; though, the experiences shared build something foundational in a way where depending on others when things look or feel bleak is priceless.
The characters in Paper Girls also have to rely on their instincts and adapt to their surroundings quickly. In the real world, things can happen unexpectedly, but everyone has to find a way to deal with those changes. Even as adults, life throws curveballs and learning to handle various situations at an earlier age might help adjusting to such changes a little more tolerable. For example: Erin and Tiff meet their future selves and realize the paths taken were unexpected, but that doesn’t mean anything has to be etched in stone.
Young readers might really appreciate these interactions, because life down the road might present opportunities they weren’t expecting – and that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. It’s easy to get locked in our headspaces where a single path or goal in life has to happen. What if it doesn’t? Does that mean failure has taken place? Paper Girls should help readers understand the differences in having dreams, while knowing it’s okay if those dreams shift as we get older.
Life doesn’t have to be a straight path; it can be winding, twisting, and full of many different people who shape who we become as we get older. Hopefully, our kids will discover friends who they can lean on during those twists and turns, and vice versa, making their journey through life (and time) an experience worth celebrating.
Extra! Extra! Read Paper Girls!
Paper Girls is a quintessential story that should be consumed by all. The mystery behind them traversing through time never stalls, while the dangers associated with these various periods always amplifies. The artwork is fantastic; from the oddities from the fourth dimension, gigantic creatures and robots, lifesaving insects, and the physical effects of time travel, each page pulls you further into the story.
Yes, this is one of my all-time favorite comic books, and it hasn’t aged at all through my many reads. Paper Girls is one of those tales that I check out through my local library once every other year, and I always hope for my own kids to find stories they love equally as much. Was I clearly disappointed when the Prime Video series was cancelled after the first season? 100%! Would I tell people to watch the first season anyways? 100%! Get as much Paper Girls into your life as possible.
You’ll quickly get lost with Erin, Tiff, KJ, and Mac, and before you know it, Paper Girls will be finished and you’ll just want to go back for more. That’s the power of incredible storytelling and why having such close bonds of friendship make the world go round. Leaning on one another when everything looks like a freakish hellscape can be overwhelming, but when you have someone to turn to during those times, those dark days seem a little brighter.
Paper Girls
Release: 2015-2019
Rated: T+
Creators: Brian K. Vaughan (writer), Cliff Chiang (artist), Matt Wilson (colorist), Jared K. Fletcher (letterer and design)
Are you a fan of Paper Girls? What comic books are some of your or your kids’ favorites? Share your comments here or over on social media. Until next time, thanks for being a part of the Geeky Parent Guide.
