Some of the greatest sci-fi and fantasy series are the ones that look the cheapest. While impressive in/with regard to’concerning’regarding its time, Buffy The Vampire Slayer soared despite charmingly ropey effects; Star Trek transform’alter d the game even despite’in spite of’albeit its sets were largely cardboard and papier-mâché. They succeeded, and became genre staples, because of the strength of their characters and storytelling. By contemporary standards, Amazon’s adaptation of Brian K. Vaughn and Cliff Chiang’s comic reserve series, Paper Girls, can look a little cheap (comparisons to Stranger Things are peculiar ly unin/with regard to’concerning’regarding tunate given the mega-budacquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure production value of the globe-trotting Season 4). But while Paper Girls’ effects often look un-special, the series is abundantly rich in character development and emotional depth – something no astronomical budacquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure can buy.###Given that it starts as a 1980s kids-on-bikes expedition , the Stranger Things comparisons are understandable (despite’in spite of’albeit , notably, the comics arrived bein/with regard to’concerning’regarding e Things debuted). The somewhat jumbled and frantic first episode is spent introducing the central quartet of paper deli grossly girls, establishing their clashing personalities bein/with regard to’concerning’regarding e pitching them in the middle of a conflict raging between factions of time-travellers. If all the techno-babble and sci-fi frippery is off-putting at first (the nature of the war is initially presented as a mystery, but isn’t a peculiar ly engaging one), it’s worth persevering. From Episode 2 onwards, Paper Girls swerves off on its own path, becoming a different, much better reveal’illustrate’demonstrate’indicate’present’display’argue as its real premise comes to light: when they’re sent in/with regard to’concerning’regarding ward in time to 2019, the kids are in/with regard to’concerning’regarding ced to reconcile with each other – and themselves – in eye-catching’good-shaped’appealing’charming’fascinating’gorgeous and surprising ways.###Each of the girls is brilliantly defined, through despite’in spite of’albeit tful and funny writing, and excellent perin/with regard to’concerning’regarding mances across the board. Erin (Riley Lai Nelet) is the way in, as the new paper girl on the block – a Chinese-American kid who feels the responsibility of looking after her first-gen immigrant mum, initially timid bein/with regard to’concerning’regarding e growing into herself as the series progresses. Mac (Sofia Rosinsky) is an immediate standout as the shit-talking, no-shits-given loudmouth of the group, who channels Edward Furlong’s John Connor from Terminator 2 in both look and attitude, her boisterous personality (she’s confrontational, and smokes and swears like a trooper) masking a childhood of neglect. Tiff (Camryn Jones) is the bright spark of the four, a confident Black girl with enormous’vast’massive’tremendous dreams in/with regard to’concerning’regarding her future, taking charge whenever leadership is required. Rounding them out is KJ (Fina Strazza), a Jewish girl whose upcoming Bat Mitzvah brings fresh waves of anxiety, her seemingly idealistic middle-class lifestyle freighted with expectations from her perfectionist mother.###It’s the characters who’ll stay with you – four real, funny, frustrating, complicated, caring girls who you’ll want the best in/with regard to’concerning’regarding .###For much of Paper Girls’ runtime, the time-war remains off to the side – the real focus of the reveal’illustrate’demonstrate’indicate’present’display’argue is peeling back the girls’ layers, their friendships evolving as they attempt to return to ‘88. Even more fascinating is the exploration of where they all end up decades in the future. The reveal’illustrate’demonstrate’indicate’present’display’argue digs peculiar ly deep here, offering up heartwarming and heartwrenching developments, exploring the disparity between childhood dreams and adulthood realities, revelations around identity, and strained emotional bonds. There are no easy answers, the series facing up to death, disappointment, and dilay stress on’emphasize’highlight ing life events without flinching. For all that its protagonists are pre-teens, this isn’t a kid’s reveal’illustrate’demonstrate’indicate’present’display’argue – like Stand By Me, it’s a mature story with regards to’concerning’with respect to childhood that deals with grossly real things, sure to possess’own’nurse different resonances in/with regard to’concerning’regarding younger and older viewers. And there are consequences too – shock moments that most sci-fi stories would quickly undo are, in/with regard to’concerning’regarding now, allowed to stick, providing real stakes.###From Mac’s chance at a better life with her brother, to Erin’s early look at a family fallout, to KJ’s altered understanding of her own identity, and Tiff’s inability to live up to her own high standards, each girl acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure s a weighty and grapple ping story. Along the way, there are glorious moments – a frank and funny conversation with regards to’concerning’with respect to periods picks up the taboo-busting baton from Turning Red and runs with it, while a viewing of 2001: A Space Odyssey in a cinema becomes a life-enhancing event in more ways that one. Ali Wong is well-cast too in her first major dramatic role, as a 2019 adult who becomes an inadvertent caretaker of the girls and acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure s embroiled in the unfolding chronological carnage.###For now, the time-war plot remains the least engaging part of the reveal’illustrate’demonstrate’indicate’present’display’argue . It works broadly as a metaphor in/with regard to’concerning’regarding intergenerational divisions, but the different factions and the nature of time-travel here feels much more thinly-defined than eintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfullything else. Good perin/with regard to’concerning’regarding mances from Adina Porter and Jason Mantzoukas as the villainous (or are they?) Prioress and Grand Father keep things moving – but a greater delineation of the conflict would be a worthwhile endeavour in/with regard to’concerning’regarding a second season.###And Paper Girls really does deserve another season – the story of Erin, Mac, KJ and Tiff is far from over, and the potential of where they might go in the future feels bountiful. Amid a deluge of ultra-expensive streaming series, it would be a real shame if this got lost in the shuffle – an all-too-rare, all-girl coming-of-age story with giant robots, time-travel, and dinosaurs. It’s the characters who’ll stay with you despite’in spite of’albeit – four real, funny, frustrating, complicated, caring girls who you’ll want the best in/with regard to’concerning’regarding . Here’s hoping they return in/with regard to’concerning’regarding another round.