Lackadaisy: Volume 1

I'm a long time fan of Tracy Butler, and to see this book published in this gorgeous format is delightful! I'm especially thrilled that all the little extras made it in at the end - those flashback stories are some of my favourites, and the full colour art is simply gorgeous. Can't wait for the second volume - even though I'd read the story before as a webcomic, it was just as good this time around! Highly recommended.

I've been reading Lackadaisy as a webcomic for a while now and I absolutely love it! The art is gorgeous, the characters are all extremely well written, and the story is phenomenal! Glad to see that it is getting a graphic novel adaptation.

Lackadaisy is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel revolving around a speakeasy of the 1920s prohibition era. The characters are all cats. Just like the 1920s there are gangsters, deals under the table, and a lot of tommy guns.

I liked the eccentricity of the characters and the art was phenomenal. The pacing and character point of views was rather hard to follow at the beginning; it would switch from one page to the next. You’re following Rocky, then Ms. M, then others. There are a few things I am trying to figure out, the age range this is written for? And where this graphic novel is going? Since I had trouble following some of the minor intricacies of the plot, I don’t know the reason for some of the characters. I guess that would be made known in future novels. The artwork at the end is great! Love the color formats because it gave a better idea of what the characters looked like.

Illustrations - 5 stars!
Storyline - 2.5 or 3 stars
Overall: 3.5 - round up to 4 stars

Thank you Netgalley and Little Better Publishing Services for this ARC. Looking forward to the next installment.

I LOVE Lacakdaisy!!! I've been following this artist for forever, since junior high! I knew it was only a matter of time before her work was published on paper as well as a webcomic. Cats in the roaring 20s!!!

I love that this is such an interesting take on the prohibition and there definitely seems to be a lot of story in there that I can't wait to read about in the next volume!

I might be biased because I read this back in the day when it was just a fledgling webcomic, but I love this series so much and I'm honoured to have been asked to review the print edition. This is a great piece, and Lackadaisy was always up there for being one of my favourite comics on the planet. This is such a hit, and I'm ecstatic to see it take its place among the greats getting print editions.

Thanks so much to NetGalley, Letter Better Publishing Services, and Iron Circus Comics for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I've been following the Lackadaisy comic for a few years now, so you can imagine my excitement that within a year we not only get a fabulous pilot for an animated adaptation, but a reprint of the first volume with more on the way.

Whether you're a long time fan or just happening to discover the series for the first time, it doesn't take long for you to get sucked into this alternate Earth of bootlegging cats. Butler's style is immaculate, there's really no other way of defining it. There is such an attention to detail that brings so much energy and life to the characters and setting. The art deco influence is especially apparent, giving the Prohibition backdrop a touch more authenticity.

With many of these webcomics turned print graphic novels, there are usually issues when it comes to plotting, pacing, and layout that can make the physical version seem aimless or less accessible. I thought that this volume did its job in laying the foundations of the world and its story, as well as introducing us to the key players. It's difficult to make a completely coherent jump from an online comic to a physical one, considering the differing conditions in which each are created. I'm willing to be forgiving on that front, though I will say that layout wise there were some pages that were difficult to read. Each pages consists of three strips which sometimes can get very text heavy and have smaller illustrations. I'm curious as to how it will look in the physical book, but as far as the e-book goes, some pages felt very cluttered.

Following the comic, there's a good amount of back matter, like smaller comics, a look into how these characters developed over the years and some phenomenal additional illustrations. There isn't really anything new included in this edition to draw in older fans already familiar with it but I'm sure there is a lot of appeal in finally being able to own a physical copy.

So happy that this story is getting a wider release!

I absolutely loved it. I am 100% a cat lady, so throw some cats in the Prohibition era and you have my attention. Not only did I love the story line but the art work is beautiful and definitely gave me "Cats don't Dance" vibes which is a fantastic movie. I also read that they based a short film on Lackadaisy. I will now be watching while I try to patiently wait for Vol 2.

St. Louis 0 1927.

Times change. Laws change. People still want booze.

For the better part of a decade, hidden beneath the inconspicuous Little Daisy Cafe, the city's best-kept secret has slaked the thirst of a prohibition-wearied populace.

Lackadaisy.

Unfortunately, the once raucous and roaring speakeasy now rests at a crossroads, its golden age seemingly at an end. Lackadaisy's remaining loyalists are left with few options.

But with all the cunning, tenacity, and sly ingenuity they can muster, they might just have a chance.

And if that doesn't work, fire does.

“When you get a little older, you'll discover that the only difference between tragedy and comedy is whether it happens to you or someone else.”

I have a slight obsession with Lackadaisy since my friend introduced me to the anime’s pilot last fall. That book doesn’t make an exception. It establishes a baseline to the story and introduces the places and characters. I loved the choice of sepia here. It anchors the historical side, even if the story and clothings already make no doubt that we are during the prohibition era. I loved the dialogues and the humour that filter, with a wording that seems accurate to the timeline. Even if we are more in an introduction/exposition book, the story is fast paced, dynamics, and the characters fun and lovable. I adore their expressions and the relationships we can begin to discover here.
The last part of the book is a miscellaneous compilation of early concept arts, promo arts, short comics and even art tutorial. I loved the background it offered on the characters, but also how it opens the universe. I just want –need– to learn more and to know where the story will go now.

Thank you NetGalley, Tracy Butler and Iron Circus Comics for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.


Rate 4.5/5

This graphic novel is a visual and narrative feast that sets the stage for what promises to be a roaring good time. The standout feature of "Lackadaisy" lies in Butler's exceptional character art and illustrations. Each character is brought to life with meticulous detail, showcasing the author's talent in capturing expressions, personalities, and the essence of the roaring twenties. The visual richness adds layers to the storytelling, making the world of Lackadaisy immersive and utterly captivating.

Set against the backdrop of a speakeasy, the story unfolds with a troublesome cast of characters who remain fiercely loyal to the establishment, even as its heyday fades into memory. The dynamics and relationships between the characters are expertly portrayed, infusing the story with both humor and heart.

Volume #1 serves as a compelling introduction to the series, laying the foundation for a story that promises intrigue, mischief, and a touch of nostalgia.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

I absolutely fell in love the feline characters of Lackadaisy. Butler’s sepia-tone artwork is gorgeous. I love the detailed Prohibition-era costumes and sets almost as much as the hilarious facial expressions. The story is fast-paced and exciting, and while Volume 1 ends in a good place, I can’t wait to find out what happens next.

This book collects the first half of the Eisner Award-nominated webcomic, along with early character sketches, mini-comics, color artwork, and notes.

I highly recommend this collection to anyone who enjoys independent comics, anthropomorphic animals, or simply an interesting historical crime story told via exquisite artwork. Note that it contains violence and is intended for a mature audience.

Thank you to Iron Circus Comics for providing me with an ARC through NetGalley that I volunteered to review.