Independent Opinions, News, and Reviews of Graphic Novels, Manga, and Comic Books
Unicorn Famous is the thirteenth book in the series, collecting the ongoing Phoebe and Her Unicorn comic strip by Dana Simpson. I was surprised to see that it opens with a lengthy sequence about being able to be what you want when you grow up, even if that thing is a unicorn. Of course, they’re magical creatures, so maybe that makes sense, but to a human reader, it’s encouraging, reminding us that we have options and choices. It’s all handled […]
Read more
The latest Phoebe and Her Unicorn collection from Dana Simpson, Virtual Unicorn Experience, is as fresh and funny and entertaining as any of the previous. It’s the twelfth book in the series, so that’s a pretty impressive track record. Since the unicorn Marigold is a magical creature, her sometimes use of spells makes for entertaining visuals, but the realistic elements of this strip are where it excels. In Virtual Unicorn Experience, the friendship between Marigold and the odd but admirable […]
Read more
What can I say about more Phoebe and Her Unicorn books other than the strip is still funny?! (I last recommended Unicorn Bowling last summer, and I was behind in reading them then.) The idea is simple — Phoebe is an oddball kid who has a real, live, magical unicorn for a friend. Her parents and a couple of her classmates know about Marigold (the unicorn). Their different perspectives make for all kinds of humorous moments, whether it’s Phoebe reacting […]
Read more
Unicorn Bowling is the ninth in the Phoebe and Her Unicorn series. (I’m behind; there have been two more books out since this one: The Unicorn Whisperer and Camping with Unicorns.) Most collect the comic strips; a couple are original, longer stories, but this isn’t one of them. That means this book is 170 or so pages of everyday witticisms, with a continuing theme following through at most four or five strips. It’s welcome light entertainment, particularly given how fresh […]
Read more
Out in May is a new addition to the Phoebe and Her Unicorn series of books by Dana Simpson. Today I’ll Be a Unicorn is a board book aimed at preschoolers. It’s short, 12 pages, as typical of the format, and each two-page spread is one image of Phoebe and Marigold (the unicorn). There’s not a lot of art, but the concept is immediately understandable. Phoebe wants to be a unicorn, until she finds out what they eat. It’s cute […]
Read more
Unicorn on a Roll is the followup to Phoebe and Her Unicorn. Dana Simpson continues the whimsy, charm, and comedy of her strip with more kid/fantasy creature adventures. The book begins with a reaffirmation of the friendship between Phoebe and Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, as they reflect on how they met almost a year ago. That conveniently sums up the premise and appeal of the strip for new readers, too, as we see Marigold’s vanity and Phoebe’s crankiness (often spurred by […]
Read more
The original, unabridged text of the founding document of the United States is presented in comic form, with each clause or section of the Constitution illustrated in a single-page panel. Author R. Sikoryak uses the original spelling and punctuation, so, for example, “choose” is “chuse”, reminding us that this is a historical document. End notes tell the reader which clauses have later been superseded. There’s also a list of when the amendments were proposed and ratified. Constitution Illustrated is educational […]
Read more
Cartoon Crossroads Columbus is quite the unusual comic show. It’s a “free, citywide arts festival” involving both downtown Columbus and Ohio State University (particularly the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum). This year, it will be held September 28 through October 1, and they’ve brought on a new staffer to make the experience even better. Long-time comic journalist Tom Spurgeon has been serving as Festival Director, with Jeff Smith (Bone) as President and Artistic Director. This year, he’s joined by […]
Read more