First there was the movie Sgt. Stubby, which told the amazing true story of history's most decorated military dog. Then everyone's favorite four-legged hero got his own comic. Now you can bring Stubby's continuing "tail" into your home with Stubby & Friends, Volume 1!
Written by Scott Christian-Sava (Animal Crackers; Spider-Man) and illustrated by Tracy Bailey (Kung Fu Panda), Stubby & Friends is guaranteed to please everyone from dog lovers to history buffs to comic aficionados.
With their soldiering days behind them, Stubby and his human companion Robert Conroy experience farm life in the south of France—a far cry from the busy city streets of home in the USA. With the assistance of a couple dim-witted pooches and a house cat with some serious attitude, join Stubby and his pals (both the two- and four-legged variety) on an all-new series of hilarious adventures!
The author plays up cultural stereotypes: Colette, for example, evinces a haughty love for French food and culture; Stubby is a can-do American who loves pizza; and Benson misses British tea-time and boasts to the others that corgis founded the American colonies. Sava also emphasizes their identities as animals; the dogs are rambunctious and energetic, while the cat is pampered and has a flair for the dramatic. The animals don't actually speak, but they can hear each other's thoughts. This effective technique allows Sava to give them human personalities while still allowing them to be animals. Bailey's illustrations establish a distinctive look for each character and maximize their emotional expressiveness.
Those familiar with the source material may be surprised to find that the war is barely mentioned. This volume focuses on animal hijinks (attempts to avoid baths), gently humorous domestic situations (anticipating and begging for delicious meals), and Stubby's gregarious nature. The gentle gags and antics of the animals are enhanced by the slightly exaggerated quality of the art, making this an ideal comic for kids who love animals.
Takeaway: Kids who love animals will enjoy the gentle humor, expressive drawings, and silly antics of three dogs and a cat who become a makeshift family.
Great for fans of: Jim Davis’s Garfield at Large, Patrick McDonnell’s The Mutts Diaries series.
Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: B
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
