3.5, only because while this does entertain me, it also disrupts itself.

When I first heard about Monica Adventures being available stateside, I had to see what made this series so popular. Unfortunately starting somewhere in the middle isn't always that great. It's still good though. If anything this piece reminds me of Rick and Morty's One Crew Over the Crewcoo's Nest in terms of twists. At the same time though, it's not quite as compelling.

This book offers a look into how people lord over and consume pop culture and how counter culture fits in. Most if not everyone knows about the success of superhero movies and how actors' celebrity plays a key factor. Anti-Fandom spearheaded by Nick meanwhile points out how predictable these franchises can get. Counterculture mouthpiece Nick (No) Contra can't stand the zeitgeist, so he takes every opportunity to mock or defame it. His efforts to remain unpredictable are mostly just confusing or the series itself takes the opportunity to troll him. Unfortunately after a few rereads, they lose their effect. Probably should read the second part, because while it introduces Nick's character it doesn't make that good a story.

The expressive art and backgrounds can certainly help make the characters and conflict lively enough. I couldn't get enough of the cast one-uping another.

Monica Adventures #4: Should I Say Yes… to Nick Nope? by Mauricio de Sousa, 124 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL
Charmz (Papercutz), 2019. $9.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: MS - NO
AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW
Everyone is raving about the new superhero movie -- except for Nick Nope. The more he thinks about it, the more Nick is sure that a malicious plan is being executed. With nothing but his suspicions, Nick can’t convince many people to listen. In fact, Monica is the only one willing to help him -- but can the two of them make a difference?
My interest was lost only a few pages into the story when the fourth wall was suddenly broken. Nick and the narrator have a conversation about not starting at the end, and the novel continues in another disorienting false start. After all that hassle, Nick and Monica don’t even end up at the original starting point by the time this episode finishes. With all the confusion, I didn’t enjoy reading this book, but maybe it’s better for those who are invested in the series.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen