REVIEW: ‘Sweet Paprika,’ Issue #2

Sweet Paprika #2 is published by Image Comics, with writing and art by Mirka Andolfo, colors by Simon Tessuto, and letters by Fabio Amelia. With the last issue introducing readers to Paprika’s world, we learned a bit about the lady and what has made her the successful, frustrated, and repressed individual she is today. Moving forward, we are about to learn a bit more about both her and the world around her. Because even the most shallow people, upon further inspection, can be more than they appear.

Rather than opening Sweet Paprika #2 with its titular character, this issue opens with an expanded look at Infernum Press’s favorite delivery boy. I appreciated Andolfo’s treatment of this character throughout this issue. Introduced as a shallow flirt with only one interest in the opposite sex in the first issue, Dill’s deeper personality gets a bit of exploration here. The results are well-executed and entertaining.

But while this side story is interesting, the thrust of this book returns to its main character. Following the last issue finale with the news her father had been taken to the hospital, this issue finds Paprika in her father’s hospital room, along with her mom.

This scene reinforces the information the last issue gave us concerning the nature of Paprika’s relationship with her father and expands the reader’s understanding of her mom. Having been given more context on Paprika’s mom, I sincerely hope the narrative utilizes the woman further as a foil for Paprika’s dad.

Even as Paprika’s personal life continues to present struggles for the woman, work-life waits for no one and even more is about to be heaped onto the demon’s plate. However, this work comes strikingly close to home, leaving Paprika in a position for both halves of her world to collide.

The aspect of Sweet Paprika #2 that pleased me the most upon reading it is writer Andolfo’s delving deeper into the themes the first issue began introducing. While some of the thirst and sex are still present here, the focus shifts in this issue a bit to the deeper issues of Paprika and the rest of the cast.

Andolfo’s art continues to capture all the energy, angst, and awkward family moments with hilarious skill. Even as more elements and characters are introduced into the story, the art brings each of these into the story with a harmonious visual unity. I especially appreciate the way Paprika’s boss is delivered as his character’s design works both within the world, as well as seeing the character partly as he is received by his underlings.

The great artwork by Andolfo continues to be further enhanced by Tessuto’s vibrant colors. The pages of this book absolutely dazzle in no small part to the gorgeous colorwork.

The final touch to the book’s presentation is Amelia’s letters. Again, the letterer manages to capture and reflect all the personality and energy of the book’s characters with lots of bold font and design choices in the lettering while still keeping everything clear and easy to follow.

So, all told, Sweet Paprika #2 continues to build on the promise its inaugural issue laid out. While Paprika isn’t an angel by any means, I find myself wholeheartedly rooting for the lady to find some way to overcome the emotional burdens she faces.

Sweet Paprika #2 is available now wherever comics are sold.