Beautiful black and white art with an intriguing story makes this a very engaging and enjoyable comic. A young boy encounters a giant, sword wielding teddy bear in a mysterious forest. The bear is friendly, and the boy needs a friend. Waking from a dream, a demon menaces the boy, the bear defends him.
Benjamin Mikkelsen’s art is astonishing. It has detail and clarity that draws in the reader. The cast are strongly expressive and move within their context naturally and easily. The character work is superb, bear and demon are full of energy and purpose.
The art supports the simple story and allows it to breathe. A vulnerable boy need protection. There is so much space in that idea that could be filled out. Benjamin Mikkelsen has chosen an intriguing route. The shifts from the real to the fantastic are not just imaginary, the threat is real and so is the response. This gives the story dramatic weight and heft. The stakes feel significant; the reader is drawn into the struggle.
Stuffed is a great comic by a wonderfully talented creator.
