This October will see a new series from Boom! Studios hit shelves. Having won the Harvey Award for his run on The Muppet Show Comic Book and captivated audiences with his work on Thor: The Mighty Avenger, the anticipation for Roger Langridge’s latest comic, titled Snarked, is white-hot. Debuting with a special $1 introductory issue #0, this new series is a warped take on the classic ‘The Walrus and The Carpenter’ from Through the Looking Glass. Yes, the same Walrus that inspired the Beatles song ‘I Am the Walrus.’ But is it any good?
The similarities with Lewis Carroll’s characters are minimal, and this is definitely a wide reinterpretation. The Walrus of the piece is one Wilburforce J. Walrus, a well dressed dandy, quick tongued, unashamed and always looking for the next scheme to come a-calling. His partner in this double act is Clyde McDunk, the ‘Carpenter’, a right royal doofus, a stooge for Walrus to wreak havoc with. Buck toothed and innocently bereft of intelligence, he is the perfect counterpart for the Walrus’ plans.
So the story begins, not with origins or back story, but straight into their first comic caper. The troublesome two embark on the premise of passing themselves of as the princess’ ballet instructors in an attempt to steal some food. The interactions between the pair let us know exactly how their relationship works and lays the tracks for the longer story arc regarding the King, his absence and his young children.
This eight page preview is a good indicator of things to come, Langridge has a great talent for comic book humour and he handles this new series with aplomb. Snarked should nestle in amongst Boom’s other All-Ages titles nicely. For only a dollar there is little excuse for not picking it up, though half the material here is, in fact, bonuses such as sketches, art work and a faux letters page.
This title is warm, fun and is an innocent delight. The tone is perfectly cast for young children, but equally captures a sense of story to entice slightly older readers and will no doubt be one that parents are happy to read aloud to their children.
Snarked #0 will be release in August 2011 for only $1, still not sure? Take a look at the preview below.
Snarked is going to be sooooo much fun!