As Paula photographs the scene, she hears morse code emanating from a non-functional radio. The code spells out: "Don't trust the light."
Published sporadically by (under their "Good Girl Art" imprint) and later by Eternity Comics , the series pays homage to the serials of the 1940s. The art style is deliberately retro, focusing on dynamic poses, chiaroscuro lighting, and the celebrated "good girl art" aesthetic—though Paula is always depicted as capable and intelligent, never merely decorative.
In the sprawling world of indie comics, few characters have maintained a dedicated cult following quite like Paula Peril. Created by writer and artist James "Jim" Whiting, Paula is the quintessential "girl adventurer"—a hybrid of 1940s newsreel reporters, 1960s spy thrillers, and modern pulp heroines. For collectors and new readers alike, one issue stands as a high-water mark for the series: Paula Peril Comics #19 . Paula Peril Comics 19
Sharp-eyed readers will also notice that the General who hires Paula in #19 is named —a nod to Joe Shuster, co-creator of Superman, emphasizing the theme of "created realities." Critical Reception: Then vs. Now When Paula Peril Comics 19 was released, Wizard Magazine gave it a lukewarm review (6/10), calling it "too talky for a good girl book." Comic Buyers Guide was kinder, praising the "daring layout structure."
Today, retrospective reviews are glowing. Indie Pulp Monthly (2024) listed it as #8 on their "Ten Most Underrated 90s Comics," writing: "Whiting predicted the modern obsession with simulation theory and parasocial perfection. Paula’s choice to reject a fake heaven is more heroic than any punch thrown in a cape book that month." For collectors: Yes. The low print run, unique cover art (featuring Paula holding a broken camera lens reflecting a skull), and rising interest in 90s indie horror make this a solid mid-tier investment. As Paula photographs the scene, she hears morse
Whether you are a seasoned longbox diver or a digital-age fan looking for strong female protagonists, Paula Peril Comics 19 represents a pivotal moment in indie publishing. This article explores the history, plot, artistic merit, and collectibility of this specific issue. Before dissecting Issue #19, it is crucial to understand the landscape. Paula Peril is not a superhero. She has no gamma-ray-induced strength or alien heritage. She is, at her core, a photojournalist and adventurer who stumbles into mysteries involving lost cities, Nazi relics, Soviet spies, and preternatural phenomena.
Have you read Paula Peril Comics 19? Share your thoughts or your own copy’s grade in the comments below—and keep your eyes open for glitches in reality. In the sprawling world of indie comics, few
By the time readers reached Paula Peril Comics 19 , the character had already survived voodoo cults in New Orleans, dinosaur encounters in South America, and doppelgänger assassins in Berlin. Unlike the more action-heavy previous issues, Paula Peril Comics 19 leans into psychological horror and conspiracy. The official synopsis reads: "When a routine photo assignment in the Mojave Desert leads Paula to a forgotten military bunker, she uncovers 'Project Chimera'—a failed WWII experiment in sensory manipulation. But the ghosts of the bunker aren't metaphorical. As reality begins to glitch around her, Paula must trust her instincts over her own eyes." Plot Breakdown (Spoilers Ahead) The issue opens with Paula driving a 1948 Willys Jeep across a salt flat. She is hired by a retired General to document abandoned munitions depots. However, upon entering Bunker 19, she finds the corpses of soldiers sitting at their desks—frozen in 1945, yet perfectly preserved.