This review contains spoilers.

So I absolutely loved the last issue of Josie and the Pussycats, and I was surprised and disappointed that volume 2 was the final volume. It only containted 4 stories which was one less than volume one but they felt shorter. I had thought the point was to keep a comic book running forever.

Anyway to the actual plot. It still contained the fun action packed cartoonish plots of mystery and man cap hijinks with a dash of realism but I feel like it lost its focus on character development. The first story was great at this with the relationship between Josie, and the Cabot twins but afterwards it was all lost. It mainly was on solving mysteries.

The ending was unfortunately crowded with the induction of the Archie’s, and past villains/friends from the vol 1 joining the fray for the big finale. I get the idea of joining all the people they met on their road trip but it just got mushed together. On the upside the various pop culture references were toned down.

Now to the characters themselves! 

Josie: This volume continued with the problems concerning her ambition and drive and dependency on herself instead of leaning on her friends. There was no real new developments on her front. However there was some good drama between her and the Cabots with their past grudges and how she tried to rebuild a friendship with Alexandra despite the fact that Alan and Alexandra started to date.

Valerie: Like I said before, it seemed all character development was focused in vol 1. There was some mentions of how Valerie was concerned about her future, and that she wanted to do more than just be a rockstar. It was slightly resolved as they promised to give back more to charity and not be so concerned with fame as to not accept small town venues. Get back to their roots and such. But I wish her past was expanded upon. 

Melody: Sweet sweet adorable girl. She is a joy to read and her enthusiasm and love for life is still like a giant puppy. Great one for character relief. I just wish she got her own arc as well. If Bennet could give hidden depths to the Cabots and Alan M., surely she could do the same for Melody if she had more runtime. 

Alan M: Ahh yes, Alan M. He found love and not where I expected. Apparently the classic Josie and Alan pairing will not be. At least not here anyway. It sorta fits that he ends with Alexandra considering the two’s, how do I say, sometimes oblivious treatment of others. At least, he loosened the reins of managing the Pussycats and allowed them to do their thing although they did it without his knowledge.

Alexandra Cabot: She changed so much and I loved it! If anyone was given a major character development, she is the one and it paid off. It was fulfilling to see her love someone other than herself and to care enough to think about Josie’s feelings about her dating with Alan M. But don’t worry, she still maintained her snark and I saw Veronica approve. I always thought these two should be besties.

Alexander III Cabot: It was great to see him get some character development alongside his sis and in the best way possible! Highlighting their deep family bond. It was sweet although totally out there to avenge his sister’s sadness by kidnapping Josie and the Pussycats but it’s the thought that counts. He also tried to make a play for being the Pussycats manager which would have brought everything to the status quo.

However that brings me to another nitpick. I was surprised Bennet went to giving the manager position to a totally unknown guy. That would have been fine but I think it would have made more sense if J&P got a vol 3 so we could get to the new manager better.  

Final nitpick, they changed illustrators for the final two issues and their art was not as good as Mok’s. It made everyone look too cartoony.

While this book was decent, it did not maintain the momentumn o the first and any potential plans for the future were sadly cut short, making this book, 3 stars.