Review: Sweet Paprika #1

I once heard a joke that asked what do humans and dolphins have in common; the answer is that they are only the species on earth that have sex for fun, or at least feel guilty about it! I didn’t say it was a good joke! Anyways, this idea permeates Sweet Paprika, a kinda of Bridget Jones emotionally, Sex and the City at least sexually and The Devil Wear Prada for the comedy and well, the actual devil?

Paprika had a happy childhood, right up top the point her father told her that her Barbie and Ken fuelled play time would lead to a wanton life of sex and early pregnancy! This led to a life of repressed sexual advances and dalliances, but on the flip allowed Paprika to succeed professionally. But what should she do when love, or at least lust comes-a-calling in the shape of delivery boy Dil and his will do any one attitude?

The book is the creation of writer / artist Mirka Andolfo who is no strange to the creator owned world of comics, despite recently spending some time with Punchline for DC Comics. Taking the writing first, Andolfo has created some instantly recognisable characters and then injected a level of extreme reactions, from which the comedy lives and breathes. There is situational comedy along with a swing of visually slapstick comedy to cover all the bases. The dialogue is sparkling; witty to the point of acerbic, there are still moments that look to reshuffle expectations. whether it is Paprika’s resolve that masturbation is better than actual sex and Dil looking for more from his encounters. This is a book that has levels, which may surprise many; it iisn’t jsut a bawdy sex book, though those elements are very much present.

Seemingly incongruous to the adult content, Andolfo drops a cartoon style that adds to the visual comedy parts, whilst also not detracting from some of the aforementioned levels. What does seem odd is that Paprika is hot and is seemingly unaware of it! Maybe its just my love of pencil skirts and high heels! Andolfo takes the art toe same sort of extremes as her writing, this gives the books a more satisfying feel; maybe that the benefit of being the writer and the artist, you get total control with no miscommunications detracting from the creative process. Colors are supplied by Simon Tessuto in a loud way that engenders the chaos that surrounds Paprika and her cast. Nuances are abound with clever shadows used to effectively highlight rather than hide the various shenanigans. Finally, letterer Fabio Amelia get to add to the chaos with emotive lettering and font use throughout.

Some of the art for Paprikia has been doing the rounds on Twitter, stirring up interest in an all already fan favourite Mirka Andolfo. Now that the book has hit the stores, we get to see the whole show, and what a show it is!

Writing – 5 Stars
Art – 5 Stars
Colors – 5 Stars

Overall – 5 Stars

Written & Art by; Mirka Andolfo
Colors by; Simon Tessuto
Letters by; Fabio Amelia
Published by; Image Comics

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network