Mark Allen reviews Snotgirl #4…
From the creator of Scott Pilgrim! This month in SNOTGIRL: It’s Halloween… But what is everyone going to wear?? Comic Book Resources calls SNOTGIRL “perfect for newcomers, perfect for loyal fans and just plain perfect overall!” Don’t miss it!
So far, Snotgirl has been a wild ride of fashion blogging, petty rivalries and murder mysteries. As the series gears up for the finale to its first arc many of the threads set up in earlier issues are intertwined in #4, reuniting characters and forcing Lottie to reckon with the consequences of her actions (and, more importantly, her haywire allergies) before her reputation is dashed on the rocks of internet comment threads. Easier said than done…
The issue picks up with Lottie and Caroline discussing the events of their night out in the first issue, during which Lottie thought she had accidentally killed her new bestie. Rather than discuss any violence that took place that night or even mention so much as a headache, Caroline simply states that she went looking for Lottie in the club’s bathroom before heading back onto the floor and having a drink or six. Lottie’s memories seriously conflict with this but she doesn’t press the issue, and instead focuses on examining the state of her physical, mental and social health, all of which are suffering badly.
The issue moves at its usual breakneck pace, with ironic laughs, stunning costumes and visual gags galore (the Tokyo cat cafe is a particular highlight), though the plotting feels more functional this time around. Nothing major happens to Lottie, other than her introduction to a heretofore minor character and the continuing deterioration of her mental state, and most of the scenes feel like they’re set-ups for the next issue rather than satisfying chunks of story or comedy. That said, to call this the weakest issue so far would be true but misleading; Snotgirl‘s still the freshest, most vigorously entertaining comic on the shelves right now, and I have faith in all involved that the first arc will come together in explosive fashion (excuse the double-pun, folks) next week.
Rating: 7/10
Mark Allen
Originally published November 24, 2016. Updated April 15, 2018.
