From the creator of SCOTT PILGRIM! Lottie Person is a glamorous fashion blogger living her best life in L.A. — at least that’s what she wants you to think. CALIFORNIA SCREAMING finds Lottie putting the past behind her and trying to make the best of a bad situation — her life! Lottie’s new bestie is an emotional roller coaster: first she died, and then she killed someone. Who will Caroline hurt next, and what is her brother Virgil doing here? What secret is Detective John Cho seeking in the desert? Why did Cutegirl ghost her sister? Is Normgirl really going to marry Ashley? And what in god’s name did Sunny ever see in Charlene? These questions and many others may possibly be answered in SNOTGIRL, VOL. 2: CALIFORNIA SCREAMING! IGN calls SNOTGIRL “Fresh and different!” and says “its sheer weirdness, creativity and heart will appeal to fans of SCOTT PILGRIM and SECONDS!” Collects SNOTGIRL #6-10.
Bryan Lee O'Malley is a Canadian cartoonist. His first original graphic novel was Lost at Sea (2003), and he is best-known for the six-volume Scott Pilgrim series (2004 to 2010). All of his Scott Pilgrim graphic novels were published by Portland, Oregon-based Oni Press. In July 2014 his graphic novel Seconds was released by Ballantine Books. He is also a songwriter and musician (as Kupek and formerly in several short-lived Toronto bands). -Wikipedia
Reread, 2021: Not much else to add from my first review, other than I still really enjoyed this.
Original review, 2019: I feel like the creators of this heard me joking about how I wish it was f/f and they personally handed it over to me. i'm accepting this win so hard.
but i continue to love this series. it's bizarre and almost hyperbolically unrealistic, aside from there being fantastical elements, but i think it goes perfectly with this book's theme of hollywood glamor and being fake. none of these characters are likable, which is a really fun twist because that means this book basically has no stakes and anything can happen. as always, the art was gorgeous and the dialogue was funny and i just really, really enjoy these books even though it's purposefully hard to wrap your brain around.
3.5 STARS The art and the mystery keep me coming back to this, but the overall story is so damn confusing at times. I feel like the characters were all just a blur and I spent more time trying to figure out what was happening than enjoying the story. I really wanted to like this series, but it just keeps falling flat for me. I may continue just to figure out what the hickidy heck is happening, but I'm not as invested in the characters as I was once.
It’s hard to put into words why I enjoy this series so much, but I think it’s partially because I know people like Lottie and I just can’t help but get engrossed in and laugh at the nonsense adventures she gets up to even though it is played up a little bit compared to those I know. I also really love the murder-mayhem aspect that’s a prominent part of the storyline, it adds oomph and a whole different aspect to the story and makes for some really awesome images. Especially in this instalment, it all gets ramped up and gets really chaotic and weird and murdery and I just lapped it up. It kind of felt like I was on a mushroom trip while I was reading this one, it was just so psychedelic and out there especially right at the end and it was the best trip I’ve ever been on!
The first volume of Snotgirl was great. Not only did it establish a likable yet flawed character in Lottie Person, but it also established an element of mystery and violence, particularly in the later stages of volume one.
Volume two, California Screaming is a major let down. The story largely centers around Lottie's ex, Sunny Day, Lottie's girl-crush and infatuation, Caroline,, and Charlene, the young woman from the previous installment who took a header off a rooftop. While, on the surface, the story has a lot of sub plots to work with, the graphic novel is largely non-eventful and at times tedious.
My rating: 2/5. The art is great as per the first volume, but the story is lacking substance and execution. I don't think I'll return to the world of Lottie again following this outing.
I dig the art, the humor, and the characters, but I find the plot very hard to follow. Maybe wait until it is all done and binge it—though who knows how long that will be.
Things are really starting to get interesting and I want them to solve the mysteries of these deaths. Virgil, Caroline's brother, definitely creeps me out. He spies on the girls and listens to everything they say. Lottie seems a lot more friendly with Meg and Misty in this volume and I must say that I appreciate this. I did not like the part where Caroline gave the girls mushrooms without their knowledge, I do not condone this kind of behaviour. Caroline is just a character that I really don't like and I feel like the story would be better without her.
Now on volume 2, and I’m still obsessed. The dialogue is wildly funny, and I think I’m gonna share some pictures of my favorite panels once I’ve finished volume 3 because they’re the definition of humor.
My one issue with the story is that it is a bit too confusing for my taste. Although I love that at its core, Snotgirl is a psychological thriller, I feel as though the plot points are delivered a bit too slow for any pieces to be puzzled together. I love feeling truly lost in a story, but often times, it doesn’t even feel like there is an escape to the maze. The maze is more like a square. I mean, I haven’t even finished the story in full, so maybe I should wait. I’ll report back to you when I’m finished.
Nonetheless, I still love the way the characters are all written because each and every one of them are despicable. There was a special note from the cartoonist at the back of this volume that detailed her process in choosing who wore what outfits, and since nearly all the people are fashion bloggers, it was lovely to see why she designed certain pieces specific to their characters.
And lastly!! WE GOT THAT WLW KISS. I knew it was coming. Don’t really know if I like Caroline, but I will defend Snottie to the death, and if she likes Caroline, then fine. I’ll like Caroline too. I’m planning on tearing a page out of just the two of them and hanging it up on my wall. This volume was very entertaining, and I still recommend you pick it up.
I love the art in this series. The fashion is always amazing. What I also love is that both volumes in this series are faking weird. You don't know what's real or what's not and everyone is making bad fucking decisions.
Another cool addition into the Snotgirl graphic novel series, filled with beautiful artwork and a storyline that keeps you guessing; another cliffhanger at the end so I'm going to need Vol. 3 right away! ✅
This series just isn't working for me. It's all over the place and doesn't seem to make much sense. I read this one in hopes that the rest of the story would begin to make sense, but unfortunately the series just became more confusing. I don't really see this story going anywhere and I'll be extremely surprised if I pick up another volume. the artwork is amazing though. haha
What the hell have I just read? I know it doesn’t make sense, and yes, some parts confused me (especially the ghosties and Virgil scene) but I loooove it!!!
This was really fun like the first trade! The mystery is still there and the humour...it’s a good story to follow and as always Lottie is questioning everything going on. We also meet Virgil in this trade - he’s pretty shady for sure....with ghost girl and that I think he’s partaking in some scary past times...
I am really enjoying this graphic series! I don't know what it is exactly because Lottie really isn't a likable heroine and maybe it's just the art that really draws me in but I can't wait to for the next volume!
Like I didn't even know what was happening and pretty much all of the storyline was one mayor blur which I couldn't describer. I was hoping that this was going to be one cutesie f/f graphic novel, but it didn't turn into that at all. We mainly got a deranged serial killer and a plot that didn't make any sense.
Therefore these two stars are for the art style and all of the beautiful illustrations only
notes from re-read april 2022: so silly. I love it
I really really like this series! it does not take itself too seriously and once you understand that, it gets so much more enjoyable. I love a good mystery with some humor and silliness attached to it. the art is spectacular and I can’t wait to figure everyone out!
Okay, now I'm REALLY confused with the plot(?!). XD
Out of all Lottie's friend I like Meg the most. Or Normgirl, like she calls her. Cutegirl is a spoiled brat and even though her outfits are cute- I think she's evil.
two stars ∗ definitely didn’t enjoy this as much as the first, but i did like the color pallet for this novel a lot more. overall this was a funny and quick read!
I probably should have re-read the first one before going into this one, since it's been so long. But, I still enjoyed this volume and I feel like I liked this one more than the first one.
I'm giving this a 3, but really it's almost to a 3.5. I'm getting into the plot a bit more and I'm starting to get more of a feel for the weirdness that comes with this comic and it's something I can see myself liking. I'm still not in love with any of the characters (I'm really into more character-driven stuff). But I am willing to continue the series and see if I can really get into the groove of it.
Myslel jsem si že znám Snotgirl a vím co od ní čekat, ale tohle byl pěkný facepalm. Divné výjevy jedné z postav kde sedí u televize v Motelu a teče jí krev z hlavy a přitom tam její brácha někoho vraždí. Jedna z postav porodí a olizuje zeleného psa s korunkou. Wrestling dvou nahých chlapů v sauně, a jednomu z nich se postaví jeho "ZORD" jak on tomu říká. Pak je tam divný týpek co všechny stalkuje a vydává se za fyzioterapeuta, poslíčka a do háje. Fakt nechápu co se dělo, ale bylo to mega super. O Malley načal mega bizarní lehce surrealistický trip, kde nevíte co se do háje má stát.
Pokud máte rádi divné věci tak tohle je must read. Je to skvělá parodie na dnešní blogerky a prakticky tyhle fejk Hipstery. Do toho tam jsou ještě vmícháni bizarní charaktery a fakt nevím co dál. Fakt mě to bavilo a dvojka je ještě více crazy než jednička.
in this second volume of snotgirl, lottie doesn’t know what to expect from caroline next, especially once she meets her brother, virgil. this was an interesting sequel. i loved the art, and the story is continuing to pick up. i can’t wait to see what the next volume has in store!