Graphic Novel Review - 'Josie and the Pussycats Vol. 1' by Marguerite Bennett (Writer), Cameron DeOrdio (Writer), Audrey Mok (Artist)

2023 EDIT:

Reread: A few things bug the heck out of me about it, but damn it if 'Josie and the Pussycats Vol. 1' isn't one of the funniest comics I've ever read. I love and understand the humour more now. It's wacky, fun, and cute - plain and simple. As bright and filling as the best candy.

Final Score: 3.5/5

Original Review:

I knew absolutely nothing about 'Josie and the Pussycats' before reading this comic. I didn't even know it had anything to do with Archie comics. I was vaguely aware of the 70s cartoon being a Hanna-Barbera property. Heck, it's only very recently that I saw the 2001 live action film. But 'Josie and the Pussycats Vol. 1' by Marguerite Bennett, silly, bizarre and all over the place as it is, is such a fun, funny and colourful experience. I have a notion that it reflects the nearly-sixty-year-old franchise well.

Sure, its jokes mainly consist of pop culture references - which in anything are too often slapped on in place of actual jokes, and are below rock bottom in terms of laziness in comedy - and puns and non sequiturs... but strangely, I think they work. But I can understand why they might not work for others; humour is subjective. One joke, which I won't ruin by revealing it here, revolving around a very recent pop culture reference even made me burst out laughing! It's just so random, it caught me off guard, and yet it fits quite well in context! There are also plenty of fourth wall breaks, which suit the tone of the comic to a T. Its abundance of self-awareness and understated wokeness doesn't hurt it, either.

The artwork is flipping gorgeous, and for all its humour, there are character arcs for each of the three Pussycats (especially Josie and Val, and ditzy Melody is cute and funny in her own right), that become more apparent towards the end of the comic. The character development goes surprisingly deep - it's introspective, and it effectively teaches lessons about life and people. The comic can hit you in the heart and head, as well as tickle your funny bone. I really appreciate it for doing that. Life isn't all wackiness, stupidity, and cartoony fun, after all.

Plus, I love cats, and you bet this comic has them! It makes up for the fact that I can't hear the band music in this solely visual medium.

'Josie and the Pussycats Vol. 1' - its main objective is to have fun and teach morals without getting too after-school special about it! (That's one of the many examples of self-aware humour). Like all 'Josie' properties, it isn't going to win any awards, but it's not supposed to. It isn't among the best feminist works out there, but as candy for the brain and heart, it's great for making you feel like a kid again, so who cares? It is its own thing: a wacky comedy that's female led, with more well-written depth than anyone would expect. It is what a lot of people would read comic books for: to have a fun time.

That's credit, right? That's worth something, right?

Ah, who cares? It's cute and hilarious!

Final Score: 3.5/5