REVIEW: Powerpuff Girls #5

What a great tribute to the beloved cartoon the 5th installment of Powerpuff Girls has come to be, only that it has brought with it something unique in terms of storytelling and cell shading. This issue has a sweet and funny appeal and a native wit which makes this issue fun for fans, both old and new.

The cover gives an idea of what the inside adventure will be like. It shows the three Powerpuff Girls clumsily striding in a massive mech cockpit, while in the background is the huge mech standing ominously on other side and a hapless mojo jojo who is stranded somewhere in a endless void and calling out for help. The title artwork is so simple yet perfect to the point adding credits around the title in a vertically placed panel beside the number of the issue sweetly designed with an orange background. The Powerpuff gallows style is quite unmistakable for the blooming palette of bright pink and bright green colors. It is apparent that there was an effort to replicate the feel of the original series and they most definitely did.

The same can also be said about the credits page as well, simple but elegant. The title artwork is very obvious, also featuring a nice picture of the super heroine triplet at the center. It’s elegantly clean, but not overly so, which is great considering the genre of the book.

Right from the opening panel, the nostalgic respect that the comic wants to present is evident with its debut narration “The City of Townsville!” This connects immediately back to the former show and pulls in the readers giving them the promise of an authentic Powerpuff experience. The artworks are stylized, because the cartoon’s charm is still kept, but the movements are more dramatic and exaggerated. There are instances when the characters go out of the model during dramatic poses, which serves to improve the visuals while not diluting the models. The coloring brings out the feel of Dexter’s Laboratory, which is yet another classic from the same era of animation, which gives the comic a vintage feel.

When it comes to Mojo Jojo, he is certainly a cut above the rest. All his monologues fit the profile perfectly and are quite funny, filled with the verbose and pompous tone that fans adore. That is this issue’s strength as it takes us through another interesting side of Mojo Jojo, a more self-reflecting one. Rather than coming up with yet another complicated scheme to eliminate the girls, Mojo has now decided to abandon earth altogether in pursuit of peace and quiet to truly become the genius he considers himself to be. It’s a different and welcoming angle that makes space for his dimensions as a character.

The scene changes now and places the villain Mojo Jojo in a prominent space which allows him to take much of the story while the Powerpuff Girls takes a more supportive role. This perspective shift serves its purpose, for it allows one to understand Mojo’s actions in a more three-dimensional light, and gives the opportunity to explore his inner – or rather, outer – monkey in an endearing manner. For all his aspirations of being a hermit, it does not take long for Mojo’s isolationist tendencies to kick in and search for “a buddy in space.” This combination of humor and fragility is a beautiful addition to his development.

The dialogue and lettering are equally inventive and bold. The idea of assigning each girl a color coded speech balloon is not only effective for identifying the speaker but also creates a visual impact. Mojo mocking the girls and featuring their respective balloon colors is smart and funny too. It is very likely that one would picture his dramatic spoofs in the heads which only adds to the overall enjoyment of the piece. Even minor things like the girls with a Mojo Jojo cup or Mojo using a Bubbles one are endearing and reveal the ideation of the creators.

When Mojo Jojo asks the girls for assistance, the story takes an interesting turn and ends with a humorous exchange with Professor Utonium. This scene, which ends with the introduction of Dynamo, the Powerpuff Girls’ mech, is a fantastic fusion of humor and action. Dynamo’s half-page illustration is excellent; it features a dynamic viewpoint and smooth panel transitions that lend the scenario a sense of cinema. A Power Rangers-like atmosphere is created by including the girls’ faces in tiny panels while they converse within the mech, which adds another level of fun and nostalgia.

The conclusion seems to be a wonderful nod to the joyful, funny, and satisfying conclusion of the original cartoon episodes. The comic doesn’t attempt to add needless complexity or complicate things. Rather, it concentrates on telling a straightforward, entertaining tale that is consistent with the Powerpuff Girls’ core values.

The story title’s location is one small criticism. It occurs in the first panel instead of alone on the opening page, which at first makes it unclear if the comic is a single narrative or an anthology. The overall experience isn’t significantly diminished, but the flow would have been improved with a more conventional title placement.

Overall, Powerpuff Girls #5 is a stellar issue that feels like a love letter to the original series. It’s evident that the creative team—true fans themselves—crafted this comic with care and enthusiasm. The result is a delightful read that will resonate with longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Writing: 5 Stars

Art: 5 Stars

Colors: 5 Stars

Overall: 5 Stars

Script by: Paulina Ganucheau

Illustrated by: Silvia de Ventura & Carlo Lauro

Coloring by: Giulia Lafrenceschina

Lettering by: Jeff Eckleberry

Cover Art by: Paulina Ganucheau

Published by: Dynamite Comics

Reviewed by Antonio “Mabs”