Before diving into the specifics of issue #19, it is crucial to understand the landscape Paula Peril occupies. Unlike mainstream superheroes who rely on gamma radiation or spider bites, Paula operates on grit, wits, and a stubborn refusal to stay out of danger.
Set in a timeless 1940s-50s aesthetic (often referred to as "Dieselpunk"), the series follows Paula, a crack journalist for the Daily Clarion, as she uncovers government conspiracies, lost civilizations, and supernatural anomalies. The books are famous for their "T&A" (Tension & Adventure) style—high-octane action mixed with the cheeky, pin-up art style that pays homage to the era of pulp magazines.
For years, the series has thrived on crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo, with creator DeSanto maintaining a hands-on approach to every panel and script. This brings us to the phenomenon of the "Updated" label.
Setting: 1947, Bay City (fictional noir metropolis).
Plot: Paula is hired by a nervous museum curator to retrieve a stolen Aztec obsidian mirror—an artifact rumored to show glimpses of the future. The trail leads from high-society art galleries to waterfront gambling dens. Along the way, Paula teams up with her occasional ally, hardboiled PI Sam Marlowe, and faces off against a mysterious femme fatale known only as “La Sombra” (The Shadow).
The updated edition amplifies the action: the added 4 pages include a harrowing foot chase across rain-slicked rooftops and a narrow escape from a sinking barge. The ending retains the original’s twist—the mirror’s true power is not precognition but persuasion, making anyone who gazes into it suggestible—but now includes a final panel hinting at a recurring enemy pulling strings from the shadows.
By [Your Name] – Comic‑culture enthusiast & longtime fan of the “Paula Peril” saga
The updated edition goes beyond a simple “remaster.” Key improvements include:
Fan reaction to the updated edition has been largely positive:
“The new pages fix the pacing—the original #19 always felt rushed at the end. Now it breathes like a proper noir thriller.” – PulpFan73 (IndyPlanet review)
“Whiting’s art has a raw, energetic charm. It’s not polished like a Big Two comic, but that’s the point. You feel the hand-drawn love.” – ComicWow! (small press blog, 4/5 stars)
One common critique: The lettering in the new pages uses a different digital font than the hand-lettered style of the original pages, creating a slight visual mismatch for eagle-eyed readers. Whiting has acknowledged this but deemed it an acceptable compromise for the expanded story.
