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The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (Collected Editions)
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Vol. 5: Like I'm the Only Squirrel in the World
Everyone gets a week-long break from class, and Squirrel Girl is taking Nancy to visit her parents up in Canada! WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG, RIGHT? Turns out, nothing! It's a great trip and nothing of note happens and our story is actually EXTREMELY DULL. Sorry everyone. No, just kidding! Our story is actually SUPER AWESOME and things get real crazy real quick once a certain super-powered villain nobody has heard of for over a decade reappears! That's right! This comic features mysteries AND Canadians AND camping, not to mention our ALREADY super-enticing focus on squirrel powers! Let's see Howard the Duck promise you THAT.
Collecting: The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl 12-16
Collecting: The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl 12-16
128 pages, Paperback
First published March 22, 2017
27 people are currently reading
763 people want to read
About the author
Ryan North
537 books1,604 followersHi, I'm Ryan! I was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada in 1980 and since then have written several books. You can read my Wikipedia page for more, or check out my author site at RyanNorth.ca!
I'm the author of the webcomic Dinosaur Comics (that's the comic where the pictures don't change but the words do, it's better than it sounds and I've also done crazy things like turn Shakespeare into a choose-your-own-path adventure, write a comic for Marvel about a girl with all the powers of a squirrel, or mess up walking my dog so badly it made the news.
I'm working on more stuff as we speak, hopefully it's good
I'm the author of the webcomic Dinosaur Comics (that's the comic where the pictures don't change but the words do, it's better than it sounds and I've also done crazy things like turn Shakespeare into a choose-your-own-path adventure, write a comic for Marvel about a girl with all the powers of a squirrel, or mess up walking my dog so badly it made the news.
I'm working on more stuff as we speak, hopefully it's good
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 234 reviews
July 22, 2017
The Mew issue was FANTASTIC and the 25th anniversary issue was pretty cool, too. Also, Ant-Man! Overall, this is easily the best Squirrel Girl book so far.
January 7, 2018
If you can get past the fact that these stories make no sense and the art is terrible, there are a few jokes that might make you chuckle. Erica Henderson is capable of better art. The last page in the book shows her character designs for Squirrel Girl and they look better than every single panel she's ever drawn of this comic. I don't get it. All of her characters are drawn doing Elvis impersonations with their upper lip raised and if the characters weren't referred to by name, you wouldn't be able to tell if they are a man or woman.
In the main story, Squirrel Girl teams up with Ant-Man to fight Enigmo, a guy who has taken over the US and Canada by impersonating everyone in the government. And when you hit him he breaks down into smaller versions of himself. Yeah, it makes no sense. Then, there's an issue focusing on Mew the cat. Last is a 25th anniversary issue looking back at Doreen's past birthdays. It was the best issue of the bunch.
In the main story, Squirrel Girl teams up with Ant-Man to fight Enigmo, a guy who has taken over the US and Canada by impersonating everyone in the government. And when you hit him he breaks down into smaller versions of himself. Yeah, it makes no sense. Then, there's an issue focusing on Mew the cat. Last is a 25th anniversary issue looking back at Doreen's past birthdays. It was the best issue of the bunch.
February 26, 2018
Another fun outing for Squirrel Girl. These really are zany fun to read. It is pure entertainment and Squirrel Girl doesn't always result with violence.
I love the last chapter where we seen Squirrel as a child growing up. That was great. The main story of the man who can divide and divide and then come back together - I wasn't really into. It was ok. I do feel like they set up situations simply to bring in different avengers. Do we really need those guys in this story. It does have it's place of fun.
It is still a hilarious story and I will continue on with the story. She is a strong healthy women and it's great for girls. Eat Nuts and Kick Butts.
I love the last chapter where we seen Squirrel as a child growing up. That was great. The main story of the man who can divide and divide and then come back together - I wasn't really into. It was ok. I do feel like they set up situations simply to bring in different avengers. Do we really need those guys in this story. It does have it's place of fun.
It is still a hilarious story and I will continue on with the story. She is a strong healthy women and it's great for girls. Eat Nuts and Kick Butts.
March 2, 2022
I wasn't really into the division guy storyline and I wanted Scott Lang to be a bit more corny and cute than this dude but it wasn't all that bad, all told.
The really good stuff was in watching Doreen grow up in a short run. That was REALLY cute.
Other than that, this was pretty average and the shine might be wearing off a little. Well see on the later volumes, no?
The really good stuff was in watching Doreen grow up in a short run. That was REALLY cute.
Other than that, this was pretty average and the shine might be wearing off a little. Well see on the later volumes, no?
May 17, 2017
Squirrel Girl is a lot of fun to read as usual. In this volume, Ant-man hates Canada, Taskmaster is foiled by house pets, and Hulk is a real jerk. I particularly liked the last issue collected in this volume which shows Squirrel Girl's life growing up. In that story, Doreen Green transforms from a child who feels like an outsider because of her gift to one of the most optimistic and positive heroes in the Marvel universe, all thanks to a little Squirrel named Monkey Joe. Monkey Joe, you're the best.
September 19, 2017
Okay so tiny!Squirrel Girl might have been the best thing ever. Also Ant-Man. And Mew!
Can we get a Nancy issue now pls?
Can we get a Nancy issue now pls?
November 21, 2018
Another volume of Squirrel Girl, another four star review. Ho hum. Ryan and Erica make this look easy.
As always, the book is a delight. Yes, I’ve been singing its praises since volume one, but that's because its praises are still eminently singable. Doreen’s pluck and optimism and can-do determination make her an endearing heroine. The supporting cast is universally excellent--I'm particularly fond of Brain Drain. This volume even features the return of one of SG’s original creators--technically both if reprinting one of Steve Ditko’s original drawings counts--Will Murray who writes part of the 25th Anniversary issue.
The tone of the book continues to fascinate me. Ryan North keeps things just light and humorous enough to be fun, but not so much that it all becomes completely absurd (that's right. There is nothing whatsoever absurd about the Kra-Van, or talking to squirrels, or a nihilist brain in a jar fighting crime, or Canada … okay, maybe Canada is a bit hard to take seriously.) And Erica Henderson’s art is the icing on the cake. There doesn't seem to be anything that she can't draw. Her work reminds me of folks like Joe Staton and C.C. Beck. No, this isn't a dark, gritty, angst-filled roller coaster of a book. And that's just fine.
If you're looking for a fun title featuring an intelligent, plucky female lead who can kick butts (and eat nuts) with the best of them, well, what are you waiting for? Check out this series already! Highly recommended!
As always, the book is a delight. Yes, I’ve been singing its praises since volume one, but that's because its praises are still eminently singable. Doreen’s pluck and optimism and can-do determination make her an endearing heroine. The supporting cast is universally excellent--I'm particularly fond of Brain Drain. This volume even features the return of one of SG’s original creators--technically both if reprinting one of Steve Ditko’s original drawings counts--Will Murray who writes part of the 25th Anniversary issue.
The tone of the book continues to fascinate me. Ryan North keeps things just light and humorous enough to be fun, but not so much that it all becomes completely absurd (that's right. There is nothing whatsoever absurd about the Kra-Van, or talking to squirrels, or a nihilist brain in a jar fighting crime, or Canada … okay, maybe Canada is a bit hard to take seriously.) And Erica Henderson’s art is the icing on the cake. There doesn't seem to be anything that she can't draw. Her work reminds me of folks like Joe Staton and C.C. Beck. No, this isn't a dark, gritty, angst-filled roller coaster of a book. And that's just fine.
If you're looking for a fun title featuring an intelligent, plucky female lead who can kick butts (and eat nuts) with the best of them, well, what are you waiting for? Check out this series already! Highly recommended!
July 10, 2017
This was a bit of a disappointing volume, especially after the more-enjoyable-than-usual volume 4, (which is saying something serious about vol. 4, because Squirrel Girl is always enjoyable). I didn't like Ant-Man, I wasn't a fan of the plot, and there was something lacking here... not sure. I was excited to see Doreen's mom but felt that even with her inclusion this volume was missing some heart. Which is something that seems to come so naturally to these SG comics, so I'm kinda puzzled. I guess maybe there was just a lot going on in this collection, and it wasn't as cohesive as previous volumes have been.
That said, Brain Drain is my everything. MY EVERYTHING. He redeemed a lot of this collection for me.
That said, Brain Drain is my everything. MY EVERYTHING. He redeemed a lot of this collection for me.
February 13, 2025
3.5 stars. This title continues to bring me joy.
February 12, 2018
A nihilistic brain robot! Ant-Man! Mew!! Squirrel Girl's birthday party!!! (at which she punches a Nazi and also Loki was there and it was gr9)
EDIT: OH SHOOT I forgot to mention that it was pro-libraries/library employees, and that is one the top ten ways to get me to like something tbqh.
EDIT: OH SHOOT I forgot to mention that it was pro-libraries/library employees, and that is one the top ten ways to get me to like something tbqh.
July 5, 2017
I mean, it has Ant-Man and Brain Drain and Doreen's mom and Canada jokes aplenty. (Oh! And an issue from Mew's point of view!) Squirrel Girl is the best.
May 2, 2019
I would die for Squirrel Girl
April 10, 2017
Squirrel Girl goes to Canada!
It's more fun than it sounds.
Doreen, Doreen's mum, Nancy, and Tippy Toe team up with the Astonishing Ant-Man to take on a multiplying manipulator that takes over the entire country in three issues instead of a massive event comic! It's a bit long, and I feel like Unbeatable Squirrel Girl is best when doing one or two issue stories that build on each other rather than longer arcs (that Doctor Doom arc from a few volumes ago still haunts me), but it gets a few chuckles.
The Mew-based issue is the best, teaming Nancy's kitty up with Pizza Dog as they assist the Avengers in taking down Taskmaster, all without anyone knowing. I'm a sucker for animals, and this issue is adorable from start to finish.
And then finally, Doreen celebrates her 20th birthday and her 25th anniversary as a comic character with some flashbacks to her past, including a guest spot by Squirrel Girl co-creator Will Murray. A nice trip down memory lane, with a fist-pump of an ending.
And of course, Erica Henderson draws the hell out of everything, as per usual.
It's more fun than it sounds.
Doreen, Doreen's mum, Nancy, and Tippy Toe team up with the Astonishing Ant-Man to take on a multiplying manipulator that takes over the entire country in three issues instead of a massive event comic! It's a bit long, and I feel like Unbeatable Squirrel Girl is best when doing one or two issue stories that build on each other rather than longer arcs (that Doctor Doom arc from a few volumes ago still haunts me), but it gets a few chuckles.
The Mew-based issue is the best, teaming Nancy's kitty up with Pizza Dog as they assist the Avengers in taking down Taskmaster, all without anyone knowing. I'm a sucker for animals, and this issue is adorable from start to finish.
And then finally, Doreen celebrates her 20th birthday and her 25th anniversary as a comic character with some flashbacks to her past, including a guest spot by Squirrel Girl co-creator Will Murray. A nice trip down memory lane, with a fist-pump of an ending.
And of course, Erica Henderson draws the hell out of everything, as per usual.
May 9, 2017
Squirrel Girl, a vegetarian whose superpower is empathy, remains unbeatable in fun volume 5.
Notable: Features issue 15, The Mighty Mewnir, cat protagonist
Quotable: "You can also take out our new book from the library! You might think that people in the business of selling books would be against places where you can read books for free, but here is a secret: libraries are awesome, librarians are even more awesome, and both are among the greatest things civilization has given us. No apologies; it's true."
"This is gonna be great, buddy. We are gonna empathize so hard with conflicting points of view and reach mutually acceptable compromises. You just wait." — Squirrel Girl
Notable: Features issue 15, The Mighty Mewnir, cat protagonist
Quotable: "You can also take out our new book from the library! You might think that people in the business of selling books would be against places where you can read books for free, but here is a secret: libraries are awesome, librarians are even more awesome, and both are among the greatest things civilization has given us. No apologies; it's true."
"This is gonna be great, buddy. We are gonna empathize so hard with conflicting points of view and reach mutually acceptable compromises. You just wait." — Squirrel Girl
April 25, 2017
More Squirrel Girl!
This time she gets to use the square/cube law to defeat Enigmo - never mind that whole huge swaths of the Marvel Universe always ignore the square/cube law because it is inherently anti-pulpy (anything that says you can't make your dog 50 feet high and ride him through town is anti-pulpy).
This time she gets to use the square/cube law to defeat Enigmo - never mind that whole huge swaths of the Marvel Universe always ignore the square/cube law because it is inherently anti-pulpy (anything that says you can't make your dog 50 feet high and ride him through town is anti-pulpy).
July 30, 2017
I found this to be a fun adventure!
Wasn't my favourite out of the series and the plot line of half the issues wasn't my favourite necessarily, but there were aspects that I loved so much and it gave me all the right feelings that you should get when you read The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl!
Doreen Green is my favourite!
Wasn't my favourite out of the series and the plot line of half the issues wasn't my favourite necessarily, but there were aspects that I loved so much and it gave me all the right feelings that you should get when you read The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl!
Doreen Green is my favourite!
July 4, 2017
4.5 stars. This comic is just the absolute best.
July 15, 2017
More awesomeness. (Will a little nihilism to lend it some weight.)
Read as individual digital issues.
Read as individual digital issues.
September 10, 2017
Chht chtty chkkk! If you don't know Squirrelese, that means "Squirrel Girl rules!"
December 28, 2017
It just stays fantastic and hilarious and amazing!
December 31, 2023
4.1/5.0
THE MIGHTY MEWNIR! That is all.
THE MIGHTY MEWNIR! That is all.
February 22, 2018
This series continues to be great <3
July 7, 2021
While much better than the last volume. This comic still reads like the author wanted to write Deadpool but was given Squirrel Girl. The comic has much the same vibe as deadpool but wholesome, no body count and no swearing.
January 27, 2018
This wasn't as enjoyable as previous issues.... Not sure why!? Mood maybe...
May 25, 2017
There's finally a foe Squirrel Girl can't beat: boredom! Doreen is on vacation with her mom and Nancy in the middle of the Canadian wilderness and SG is bored out of her mind. Lucky for her, someone is trying to take over the world...even the Canadian wilderness. So with Tippy Toe, Nancy, her mom, Brain Drain, and Ant Man, SG is out to save the world from a foe who may be a little unbeatable himself. There's also a story where Mew helps save the day. She's not even Cat Thor, just old, reliable Mew! Plus we get to see the origins of SG as she celebrates her 20th birthday (even though it's the 25th anniversary special...which is confusing).
There may come a time when I tire of wit and action, but today is not that day! I'm glad they brought the reformed villain, Brain Drain, back. That nihilistic brain in a jar makes me laugh with his dark outlook on life. The team up with Ant Man is also pretty awesome. That poor guy does NOT want to be in Canada. But lucky for the SG team he's tagging along (albeit reluctantly).
The main villain in this volume was pretty interesting. While he wants to take over the world like most bad guys, his take on world domination is more like an infestation than an all-out fight. I suppose it's a little like the Skrull's in the Secret Invasion storyline, but this guy is all kinds of terrestrial. I love that SG and her pals once again solve things through a mix of science and compassion. Really, it's SG's ability to empathize and keep a cheery outlook that makes her truly unbeatable ;)
There may come a time when I tire of wit and action, but today is not that day! I'm glad they brought the reformed villain, Brain Drain, back. That nihilistic brain in a jar makes me laugh with his dark outlook on life. The team up with Ant Man is also pretty awesome. That poor guy does NOT want to be in Canada. But lucky for the SG team he's tagging along (albeit reluctantly).
The main villain in this volume was pretty interesting. While he wants to take over the world like most bad guys, his take on world domination is more like an infestation than an all-out fight. I suppose it's a little like the Skrull's in the Secret Invasion storyline, but this guy is all kinds of terrestrial. I love that SG and her pals once again solve things through a mix of science and compassion. Really, it's SG's ability to empathize and keep a cheery outlook that makes her truly unbeatable ;)
October 12, 2017
Ryan North, Erica Henderson, and Squirrel Girl herself have once again hit a home run.
I am not usually a fan of “funny”, but The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Volume 5 had my husband and I cry-laughing together – that’s how awesome it is. And my husband doesn’t even read Squirrel Girl!
I know a lot of people don’t like the art style – and, actually, I’m not sure I really like it, either – but it works so freaking well for this cast. Squirrel Girl’s expressions are positively meme-y.
Like I’m the Only Squirrel in the World contains its own self-contained story arc, but it also features two special edition issues. The first is a story from the point of view of Mew, the cat and sidekick of Squirrel Girl’s best friend and roommate, Nancy. Mew’s issue is reminiscent of that perfect Hawkeye comic, but less stylized and much funnier. It works very well both as an homage and as a stand-alone story.
The second special issue is in celebration of the comic’s 25th anniversary and Doreen’s in-story 20th birthday – and it’s an origin story! I love this issue – it’s a perfect blend of actual Squirrel Girl history and in-world characterization of college-aged Doreen.
I’m a bit nervous that Squirrel Girl seems to have been rebooted for 2018, but I have faith in North and Henderson. They really seem to have an unbeatable cast and tone with The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl.
I am not usually a fan of “funny”, but The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Volume 5 had my husband and I cry-laughing together – that’s how awesome it is. And my husband doesn’t even read Squirrel Girl!
I know a lot of people don’t like the art style – and, actually, I’m not sure I really like it, either – but it works so freaking well for this cast. Squirrel Girl’s expressions are positively meme-y.
Like I’m the Only Squirrel in the World contains its own self-contained story arc, but it also features two special edition issues. The first is a story from the point of view of Mew, the cat and sidekick of Squirrel Girl’s best friend and roommate, Nancy. Mew’s issue is reminiscent of that perfect Hawkeye comic, but less stylized and much funnier. It works very well both as an homage and as a stand-alone story.
The second special issue is in celebration of the comic’s 25th anniversary and Doreen’s in-story 20th birthday – and it’s an origin story! I love this issue – it’s a perfect blend of actual Squirrel Girl history and in-world characterization of college-aged Doreen.
I’m a bit nervous that Squirrel Girl seems to have been rebooted for 2018, but I have faith in North and Henderson. They really seem to have an unbeatable cast and tone with The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl.
April 19, 2023
And now for some unadulterated joy!
I love Squirrel Girl, guys. So many other comics these days are all grimdark and unhappy and full of Nazis, and Squirrel Girl is just... the opposite of that? Even Ms. Marvel, beloved of my heart, can sometimes get dark, but Squirrel Girl is bright and funny and meaningful and just fun. She's a delight, you guys.
Okay, so, first of all, if you haven't read Squirrel Girl before, go pick up volume 1: Squirrel Power, because it's worth it. If you have, welcome back! Volume 5 follows our beloved Doreen and our beloved Nancy as they go to Canada on a girls weekend with Doreen's mother-- in a cabin with NO ELECTRICITY. HORRORS.
Meanwhile, in New York, Brain Drain, who has become a (NIHILISTIC and DELIGHTFUL) hero, runs into Enigma, a supervillain who can divide himself and rejoin himself more or less infinitely. This is something of a problem for Brain Drain, but not for the Unbeatable Squirrel Girl! If only she can get back from the middle of nowhere in Canada... All ends happily and joyfully, of course, because it's Squirrel Girl, but read it to find out how. Also, a bonus comic detailing the life and times of Doreen Green! Basically it's a delight and I love Squirrel Girl and I want everyone to at least try it.
I love Squirrel Girl, guys. So many other comics these days are all grimdark and unhappy and full of Nazis, and Squirrel Girl is just... the opposite of that? Even Ms. Marvel, beloved of my heart, can sometimes get dark, but Squirrel Girl is bright and funny and meaningful and just fun. She's a delight, you guys.
Okay, so, first of all, if you haven't read Squirrel Girl before, go pick up volume 1: Squirrel Power, because it's worth it. If you have, welcome back! Volume 5 follows our beloved Doreen and our beloved Nancy as they go to Canada on a girls weekend with Doreen's mother-- in a cabin with NO ELECTRICITY. HORRORS.
Meanwhile, in New York, Brain Drain, who has become a (NIHILISTIC and DELIGHTFUL) hero, runs into Enigma, a supervillain who can divide himself and rejoin himself more or less infinitely. This is something of a problem for Brain Drain, but not for the Unbeatable Squirrel Girl! If only she can get back from the middle of nowhere in Canada... All ends happily and joyfully, of course, because it's Squirrel Girl, but read it to find out how. Also, a bonus comic detailing the life and times of Doreen Green! Basically it's a delight and I love Squirrel Girl and I want everyone to at least try it.
Read
January 19, 2017Wherein a nice quiet holiday in Canada starts out dull, then turns into a team-up with Ant-Man to save the world from a really obscure old villain who has still somehow managed to seize control of everything except Doreen and co. Plus! The 25th anniversary issue, featuring Doreen's incredibly charming origin story, plus some new work from her co-creator who isn't Steve Ditko. Which is far less good than the Ryan North stuff and betrays an appalling ignorance of the difference between screen and book Tarzan, but never mind because the rest of it is still the sweetest comic on the stands.
July 12, 2017
Adorable. Includes two mini stories - one a stand-alone adventure from the point of view of Nancy's cat (which was undeniably awesome if a bit confusing in some panels because, well, cat.) and an 'origin story' which is not an origin story at all, more a bizarrely ordinary growing-up for our favorite girl/squirrel.
As usual with North, there are LOADS of continuity shout-outs and easter eggs.
I was particularly delighted with the guest cover by John Allison, one of my FAVORITE web cartoonists. I squeed out loud.
As usual with North, there are LOADS of continuity shout-outs and easter eggs.
I was particularly delighted with the guest cover by John Allison, one of my FAVORITE web cartoonists. I squeed out loud.
July 15, 2017
Let's be honest here, USG is now one of my all time favs. I think I liked vol. 4 a teeny bit more than this volume, but my overall love for the comic comes in at 5 stars.
I you've somehow made it through 4 volumes of USG and haven't formed your own opinion...???
This volume features many friendly Canadian facts and jokes, the single issue about Mew, positive commentary on diversity, and general silliness. Plus some Doreen backstory that is charming and sweet!
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I you've somehow made it through 4 volumes of USG and haven't formed your own opinion...???
This volume features many friendly Canadian facts and jokes, the single issue about Mew, positive commentary on diversity, and general silliness. Plus some Doreen backstory that is charming and sweet!
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 234 reviews