Cover Image: Lackadaisy: Volume 1

Lackadaisy: Volume 1

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Member Reviews

I've been fascinated with Lackadaisy since seeing the crowdfunded animation pilot in 2023. You have a very fun story about Prohibition, underdogs (or rather, undercats in this case) trying to survive during an economic depression, and friendship in the most unlikely places.

St. Louis, Missouri declares their city bone-dry. With Prohibition, no legal breweries are allowed to operate. The Lackadaisy Speakeasy needs regular booze, and patrons. Problem is that the rivals are murderous and willing to cut out competition by any means necessary. But the Lackadaisy employees are loyal and determined to keep their establishment alive.

Really fun, and with many high stakes, Lackadaisy releasing this graphic novel is amazing as the pilot may expand into a series.

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This graphic novel is a visual and narrative feast that sets the stage for what promises to be a roaring good time. The standout feature of "Lackadaisy" lies in Butler's exceptional character art and illustrations. Each character is brought to life with meticulous detail, showcasing the author's talent in capturing expressions, personalities, and the essence of the roaring twenties. The visual richness adds layers to the storytelling, making the world of Lackadaisy immersive and utterly captivating.

Set against the backdrop of a speakeasy, the story unfolds with a troublesome cast of characters who remain fiercely loyal to the establishment, even as its heyday fades into memory. The dynamics and relationships between the characters are expertly portrayed, infusing the story with both humor and heart.

Volume #1 serves as a compelling introduction to the series, laying the foundation for a story that promises intrigue, mischief, and a touch of nostalgia.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

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I absolutely loved it. I am 100% a cat lady, so throw some cats in the Prohibition era and you have my attention. Not only did I love the story line but the art work is beautiful and definitely gave me "Cats don't Dance" vibes which is a fantastic movie. I also read that they based a short film on Lackadaisy. I will now be watching while I try to patiently wait for Vol 2.

St. Louis 0 1927.

Times change. Laws change. People still want booze.

For the better part of a decade, hidden beneath the inconspicuous Little Daisy Cafe, the city's best-kept secret has slaked the thirst of a prohibition-wearied populace.

Lackadaisy.

Unfortunately, the once raucous and roaring speakeasy now rests at a crossroads, its golden age seemingly at an end. Lackadaisy's remaining loyalists are left with few options.

But with all the cunning, tenacity, and sly ingenuity they can muster, they might just have a chance.

And if that doesn't work, fire does.

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I absolutely fell in love the feline characters of Lackadaisy. Butler’s sepia-tone artwork is gorgeous. I love the detailed Prohibition-era costumes and sets almost as much as the hilarious facial expressions. The story is fast-paced and exciting, and while Volume 1 ends in a good place, I can’t wait to find out what happens next.

This book collects the first half of the Eisner Award-nominated webcomic, along with early character sketches, mini-comics, color artwork, and notes.

I highly recommend this collection to anyone who enjoys independent comics, anthropomorphic animals, or simply an interesting historical crime story told via exquisite artwork. Note that it contains violence and is intended for a mature audience.

Thank you to Iron Circus Comics for providing me with an ARC through NetGalley that I volunteered to review.

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**Disclaimer: I recieved a free eARC of this through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this opportunity.  I really liked the art in this story.  The characters being cats was really unique and fun.  However, I found it a little hard to read in places, and the storyline wasn't always clear.  It was decently paced, but I wish it had a different layout.

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I had first learned of Lackadaisy through the animated pilot from Youtube. I have been interested in the series ever since. Getting to see where the series came from in one package was great. The series is very charming and easy to get into.

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Lackadaisy is a historical fiction graphic novel set during the U.S.'s Prohibition era. Bootleggers, and speakeasies and budding romances. And the story is told with anthropomorphic cats. Yeah, you read that right. Walking, talking, shooting, loving, dressed to the nines ... cats.

In an introduction to the ARC reader, author/artist Tracy Butler notes that "grown-up stories told with 'funny animal' characters are popular but rarely produced on a professional and commercial level" and that this book "scratches are rarely-scratched itch." As a very long-time reader of just about every genre I can say that I've never been afflicted with this itch. In fact, I found this book a bit difficult to read because the characters didn't really mean anything to me. They were cats. Was this some strange alternate reality? This made it more fantasy than historical fiction. I just ... I just didn't understand why.

The artwork IS gorgeous. Every panel, every page. Magnificently drawn human-like cats. It was definitely pretty to look at. Butler uses a sepia-tone color scheme to help remind us of the era we're in. You really couldn't ask for a better looking graphic novel.

But this story ... it just is not engaging. Who is this for? Butler says adults in the notes. And there's plenty of violence and bloodshed to suggest that might be true. But the romance is a bit on the light side (yeah ... I don't need to see cats in heat). I'm thinking middle schoolers might enjoy this the most and maybe even learn a thing or two about the Prohibition era. But the story drags and I'm not sure this will hold a young (or even an old) reader's attention for long.

Looking for a good book? Lackadaisy by Tracy Butler is a graphic novel that is pretty to look at but dull to read.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

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I’m not the typical audience for this. However, I really like the detailed artwork and period specific cars, settings…who can resist Prohibition era fashion. I liked the art better than the story, but the action scenes are handled incredibly well. Mild swearing. Well, and of course, all the bootleg. And the weirdness of two animals kissing, but hey, if it floats your boat…

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The art is really cute, but the story is very wordy. I feel like it would be easier to follow if it was a longer book with less panels per page. I love the idea of the Speak Easy and Prohibition but I had a hard time following.

3 stars

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I love that this is such an interesting take on the prohibition and there definitely seems to be a lot of story in there that I can't wait to read about in the next volume!

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I'm a long time fan of Tracy Butler, and to see this book published in this gorgeous format is delightful! I'm especially thrilled that all the little extras made it in at the end - those flashback stories are some of my favourites, and the full colour art is simply gorgeous. Can't wait for the second volume - even though I'd read the story before as a webcomic, it was just as good this time around! Highly recommended.

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I've been reading Lackadaisy as a webcomic for a while now and I absolutely love it! The art is gorgeous, the characters are all extremely well written, and the story is phenomenal! Glad to see that it is getting a graphic novel adaptation.

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Lackadaisy is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel revolving around a speakeasy of the 1920s prohibition era. The characters are all cats. Just like the 1920s there are gangsters, deals under the table, and a lot of tommy guns.

I liked the eccentricity of the characters and the art was phenomenal. The pacing and character point of views was rather hard to follow at the beginning; it would switch from one page to the next. You’re following Rocky, then Ms. M, then others. There are a few things I am trying to figure out, the age range this is written for? And where this graphic novel is going? Since I had trouble following some of the minor intricacies of the plot, I don’t know the reason for some of the characters. I guess that would be made known in future novels. The artwork at the end is great! Love the color formats because it gave a better idea of what the characters looked like.

Illustrations - 5 stars!
Storyline - 2.5 or 3 stars
Overall: 3.5 - round up to 4 stars

Thank you Netgalley and Little Better Publishing Services for this ARC. Looking forward to the next installment.

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I LOVE Lacakdaisy!!! I've been following this artist for forever, since junior high! I knew it was only a matter of time before her work was published on paper as well as a webcomic. Cats in the roaring 20s!!!

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