Teen Dog is very stoic with the cover this month. The black and white cover with the guitar really gives it this “yeah I don’t care what you think, caz I am in deep thought.” Teen Dog’s deep thoughts are probably about pizza, but yay I have some pretty deep thoughts about pizza myself. So it was a change from what I am used to, but I dug it of course. And there was one moment that Teen Dog actually didn’t think about pizza in this issue, so spoilers ahead. So we start off with the same bright colors and crazy banter, but again this issue was different in a lot of ways. First, the whole issue follows one story of Teen Dog, Mari, and Sara wanting to join Battle of the Bands. I find that this comic usually has mini stories intermixed with larger stories, but this issue focused on one thing. I enjoyed the changed up for sure.It is awesomely amazing that Jake Lawrence can take these simple stories and make them so much more. It takes some skill. For me, I think it involves the whole punk rock feel of the comic.

First you have got your cast. Teen Dog...well just needs no explanation. Mari is probably one of the most relatable characters for girls. She has that hard edge but you just want to cuddle with her too. Sara is the sweet girl next door. and Thug Pug is the angst that all teens feel. I just love when he competes with Teen Dog at Battle of the Bands, but Teen Dog isn’t even competing. That explains teen angst in a nutshell; no logic. The combo of each character lends itself to the funny dialogue.

And that is the second bit. The dialogue is just so much and reminds me a lot of Gilmore Girls quick yet educated speech. It was like if people actually spoke what was on their minds. It is great and highly contagious. You just want to keep reading. Teen Dog and Mari do it best in this mini-series. She thinks too much about life and all it has to offer and Teen thinks too little. In this issue though, the roles reverse a little bit after Teen realizes that can’t play an instrument. He must now question his very existence and persona of a punk rock pup.

Of course the third part of Teen Dog’s success is the setting. The late 80s or early 90s vibe of the whole comic allows for not only the pictures to pop, but for the whole essence to come alive. Let’s face it, things will always be better in the past. I wish we held some ideals of the future but could transport back just for the simple life, and all that fashion. Lawrence creates this world, and readers just can’t get enough.

Teen Dog could possibly be the best thing that has ever happened to me, but then again I did just have an awesome lo mein the other day. But either way, both are equally awesome so check both out.

Score: 3/5

Writer/Artist: Jake Lawrence Publisher: BOOM! Studios Price: $3.99 Release Date: 1/14/15 Format: Mini-Series; Print/Digital