The time-travel mystery brings together four girls on a fateful morning after Halloween and transports them to the recent past of 2019. I’m impressed by how the young cast embodies the bold spunk of the teen girls from the ‘80s. We only get quick glimpses of them but they’re already believable as the misfit squad who have to face the surreal nature of being chased by far future enemies in a time that’s not their own. Thankfully they encounter adult Erin, played by Ali Wong, who already makes the energy of the character her own by imbuing a stronger and sharper take on what was presented in the comics.
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Combining a coming of age story with sci-fi genre fare makes for an exciting first look. We dig the vibe that fits alongside popular shows like Stranger Things and Yellowjackets. It’s worth mentioning, however, that the Image comic predates both shows and ran from 2015-2019; it centered around the motley crew of bike-riding Paper Girls who get thrust throughout time in a war between two time-traveling factions. The Old-Timers, led by a mysterious leader, are hot on the trail of our girls when they end up in 2019; they also encounter a faction of future teens who they need to determine if they can trust, which is hard when they unleash some Cronenberg bug action on one of the girls. (We see the bugs being released for a frame of the teaser.) The show also features Nate Corddry as a stranger they meet on their journey.
Quick alliances and friendships have to form for any chance or survival for the Paper Girls. We love to see the fate of humanity rest in the hands of teen girls. They’re our only hope.
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Paper Girls begins streaming July 29 on Prime Video.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel and Star Wars releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about House of the Dragon and Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
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