Creative Team: James Watson (Writer), various artists (notably Dale Cipps/Photography by W.R. Photographic for the cinematic versions). Publisher: Atlantis Studios Format: Digital/Print (Deluxe Edition)
| Feature | Details | |---------|---------| | Original Release | circa 2011 (as part of the original Ape Entertainment run) | | Updated Edition Release | 2023–2024 (digital via Gumroad/DriveThruComics; limited print via IndyPlanet) | | Page Count | 28 pages (original was 24) | | Format | Standard comic (6.625" x 10.25") / Digital PDF | | Story Title | "The Serpent’s Smile" (retains original plot but with new dialogue, art fixes, and 4 new pages) |
The updated edition goes beyond a simple “remaster.” Key improvements include: paula peril comics 19 updated
Paula is often portrayed as the plucky, unstoppable girl reporter. Issue #19 shows her vulnerability. There is a sequence in the second act where she is genuinely terrified. The updated lettering and facial rendering sell this fear.
We also see a more ruthless antagonist. The villains in Paula Peril can sometimes be cartoonish, but the antagonist here (a high-ranking Syndicate enforcer) is cold and methodical. This contrast highlights Paula's resilience. She escapes not through luck, but through grit, making the climax of the issue feel triumphant in a way earlier issues did not. Paula is often portrayed as the plucky, unstoppable
The narrative in Issue #19 adheres to the classic "Paula Formula" but executes it with a higher stakes thriller approach.
Fan reaction to the updated edition has been largely positive: “The new pages fix the pacing—the original #19
“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.
The subtitle of this release, often marketed as the "Updated Edition," refers to the dialogue and panel flow. Early Paula Peril comics had a distinct 90s indie feel—dense with narration boxes. Issue #19 strips much of that back. The storytelling is more cinematic, relying on visual cues rather than internal monologue. This makes the 2024/2025 printing of #19 arguably the most accessible issue for new readers in years.