NOTHING CAN POSSIBLY GO WRONG review

(Review by Melody Werner)
Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong is a 2013 original graphic novel published by First Second Books. A coming of age/high school comedy written by Prudence Shen and illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks (who also co-wrote). As I've grown a newfound enthusiasm for First Second (thanks predominantly to Anya's Ghost and a hankering for other one and done stories), NCPGW was an easy pick for me. So, how is it, and is it worth giving a go? Superb, and yes.

Hicks's monochrome, cartoonish art holds up mostly on how stylized it is, and how good that style is. Especially when taking some inspiration from manga in terms of hyperbolic facial expressions. As you might know, I dig that style quite a lot when I think it's done well, and the art here is , in my arrogant opinion. The character designs are suitably simple (given how this is a madcap high school story), but each character is distinct from one another visually. You never go "Oh, which character is that one supposed to be?" as they aren't designed in ways which make them look near identical, as can be the case with other monochrome OGN's. The panel-to-panel flow is buttery smooth with minimal hiccups, and it's nicely polished and areas such as lettering. The cover is nice and gives an idea of what to expect from the book.

NCPGW's greatest strength is with its comedy, as it's a damn hilarious read. The humor mostly relies on banter, visual gags, and comedic character actions. The delivery is on point. The banter is cleverly written and had me chuckling often. The visual jokes are charming and numerous. The characters are extremely funny. Speaking of characters, this book's cast is both very likeable and fleshed out. Nobody is really perfect--there are no Gary Stu's or Mary Sue's--and they are just well thought out, flawed characters. Not a Batman in sight. The dialogue is also standout, due to how natural and well written it is.

The narrative is winding and unpredictable... yet I feel it's missing something: finality. The conclusion itself is sweet and all, but I don't think it's completely satisfying. The resolution feels underdeveloped, it didn't make me think "Wow, these characters sure have learned an important lesson and grown because of it.", as a resolution like it ought to. As such, it lacks the same impact of something like Anya's Ghost . Though it still stands up because the rest of the book is so great and the ending besides that is still well thought out. The pacing is lighting fast, but fortunately the plot does not feel rushed. A lot happens and it is engaging thanks to solid pacing.

Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong is a fantastic read, which is wildly entertaining. It stands out as one of the greatest comics I've seen in its class. Even if slightly below Anya's Ghost (which I consider to be the cream of the crop). If you're looking for an extremely fun OGN, then NCPGW would be a good pick. Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong gets a 9/10.

Excellent

Summary:
An insanely enjoyable, humorous, charming, and natural original graphic novel. Great artwork, exceptional characters, and a spontaneous plot are all positives. It falters somewhat, as it feels a bit inconclusive.

(originally posted: 8/26/2017)