The Wicked + The Divine Volume 9

Title: The Wicked + The Divine Vol. 9

Author: Kieron Gillen; Jamie Mckelvie; Matt Wilson

Publisher: Image 2019

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 168

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

After five years, we reach the final volume. We go not gentle into that good night, but go driving a converted tank, covered in glitter and spangles, with a soundsystem audible from Mars blaring nothing but bangers. Gods, pop stars, an ending. We'll miss you.
Collects THE WICKED +THE DIVINE #40-45

Another series ender. I guess October has been the month of comics series ending… I loved the ending of this series. We finally get clarification about the beginning of this sequence, plus an awakening from so many of the characters. And we even get the return of a few characters. Hello Lucifer! I wasn’t quite as sold on the last issue’s time jump, but it still felt relevant to the story and characters. I’m so sad to see this series end.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Paper Girls Vol. 6

Title: Paper Girls Vol. 6

Author: Brian K. Vaughan, Cliff Chiang, Matt Wilson

Publisher: Image 2019

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 144

Rating: /5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

After surviving adventures in their past, present and future, the Paper Girls of 1988 embark on one last journey, a five-part epic that includes the emotional double-sized series finale. Featuring a new wraparound cover from Eisner Award-winning co-creator CLIFF CHIANG, which can be combined with the covers of all five previous volumes to form one complete mega-image!

Somehow I did not get the memo that this was the last trade for the series. These pages contain the four girls’s storylines coalescing in a conclusion. I felt like I was on a runaway train unable to stop the inevitable crash. But it was such a thrilling ride! I really enjoyed how the four girls eventually fulfilled their own adventures. Sad to see this series end.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Wicked + The Divine Volume 8

Title: The Wicked + The Divine Vol. 8

Author: Kieron Gillen; Stephanie Hans; Andre Lima Araujo; Matt Wilson; Kris Anka; Jen Bartel

Publisher: Image 2019

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 232

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Modernist poets trapped in an Agatha Christie Murder Mystery. The Romantics gathering in Lake Geneva to resurrect the dead. What really happened during the fall of Rome. The Lucifer who was a nun, hearing Ananke's Black Death confession. As we approach the end, we start to see the full picture. Also includes the delights of the WicDiv Christmas Annual and the Comedy special. 

Collects all six of THE WICKED + THE DIVINE's essential Specials.

Woot! I get to read all the specials without buying them all individually. I loved the historical episodes involving the cycle of the gods. My favorite was definitely the murder mystery set in 1923. The mix of comic panels and text passages was a fun change for the usual format. I also really enjoyed the Romantic story modeled on the creation of Frankenstein. Really really loved this collection. Now I have to wait until the fall to get the final trade of the series.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Paper Girls Vol. 5

Title: Paper Girls Vol. 5

Author: Brian K. Vaughan, Cliff Chiang, Matt Wilson

Publisher: Image 2018

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 128

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

BRIAN K. VAUGHAN, bestselling writer of SAGA, and CLIFF CHIANG, legendary artist of Wonder Woman, return with award-winning colorist MATTHEW WILSON and innovative letterer JARED K. FLETCHER for the darkly dramatic fifth volume of PAPER GIRLS. Can anyone escape fate? That’s what Mac and her fellow newspaper delivery girls must discover as they travel from the year 2000 to a distant and dangerous future era of Cleveland, Ohio. Plus, the secret truth behind the mysterious “Grand Father” who’s been pursuing the girls across time is finally revealed! Collects PAPER GIRLS #21-25

Another great volume of this series. I am so invested with these girls. I can’t wait to see what happens next and what twists will be revealed. One of my biggest questions: What’s up with Mac and her future death? Seriously I’m hanging on by a thread waiting to know…

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Wicked + The Divine Volume 7

Title: The Wicked + The Divine Vol. 7: Mothering Invention

Author: Kieron Gillen; Jamie McKelvie; Matt Wilson

Publisher: Image 2018

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 208

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

In the past: awful stuff. In the present: awful stuff. But, increasingly: answers. Collects THE WICKED + THE DIVINE #34-39

Seriously love this series! The twists and turns in this trade took me for a ride. I didn’t know what was going on and had to reread a few issues. But seriously in a good way. It was such a great volume. The two years are almost up and I’m waiting on pins and needles to find out how it’s going to end.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Paper Girls Vol. 4

Title: Paper Girls Vol. 4

Author: Brian K. Vaughan, Cliff Chiang, Matt Wilson

Publisher: Image 2018

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 123

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

The mind-bending, time-warping adventure from BRIAN K. VAUGHAN & CLIFF CHIANG continues as intrepid newspaper deliverer Tiffany is launched from the prehistoric past into the year 2000! In this harrowing version of our past, Y2K was even more of a cataclysm than experts feared, and the only person who can save the future is a 12-year-old girl from 1988. Collects PAPER GIRLS #16-20

How exactly am I supposed to keep everything straight at this point? I feel a little like the Paper Girls themselves, very confused and slightly angry. But all in a good way. I'm really loving this series and all the twists and turns. Plus, how great was it to meet older Tiffany in this volume? Such fun! I can't wait to see what happens next!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Paper Girls Vol. 3

Title: Paper Girls Vol. 3

Author: Brian K. Vaughan, Cliff Chiang, Matt Wilson

Publisher: Image 2017

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 125

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

The multiple Eisner and Harvey Award-winning series from BRIAN K. VAUGHAN and CLIFF CHIANG continues, as newspaper deliverers Erin, Mac, and Tiffany finally reunite with their long-lost friend KJ in an unexpected new era, where the girls must uncover the secret origins of time travel…or risk never returning home to 1988. Collects PAPER GIRLS #11-15

Oh what twists! I'm really enjoying this series to much. I have no idea where the storyline is going and I love it. I love not being able to predict every action. The paper girls are amazing and fun. Can't wait to see what happens next.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Paper Girls Vol. 2

Title: Paper Girls Vol. 2

Author: Brian K. Vaughan, Cliff Chiang, Matt Wilson

Publisher: Image 2016

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 125

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

The smash-hit series from BRIAN K. VAUGHAN and CLIFF CHIANG continues with a bold new direction, as intrepid young newspaper deliverers Erin, Mac, and Tiffany find themselves launched from 1988 to a distant and terrifying future...the year 2016. Collects PAPER GIRLS #6-10

What an interesting twist?!!?!?!?! I really loved where this series is going. And the four paper girls are just great characters. I loved how we get a few more glimpses into the real situation and I'm starting topic up the language of the old-timers. Very interesting indeed. 

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Wicked + The Divine Volume 6

Title: The Wicked + The Divine Vol. 6: Imperial Phase Part 2

Author: Kieron Gillen; Jamie McKelvie; Matt Wilson

Publisher: Image 2018

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 168

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

When you're at the peak of your powers, there's only one way to go. The question becomes—how many people are you willing to drag down with you? The bestselling, critically acclaimed comic by KIERON GILLEN, JAMIE McKELVIE and MATT WILSON reaches its most dramatic arc yet. Collects THE WICKED + THE DIVINE #29-33

Oh holy cow that was a crazy collection of issues. I truly did not see the ending twist coming, but the earlier ones weren't as much of a surprise. This volume has me falling more and more for the remaining gods. So very interesting! I love how this series combines modern times and problems with ancient mythology. Plus the graphics are just absolutely amazing. I can't wait for the next volume. 

Next up on the TBR pile: