Review – Bee and PuppyCat #3 (BOOM! Studios)

August 26, 2014

2–3 minutes

Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Writer(s)/Artist(s): Tait Howard, Madeline Flores, Ian McGinty, Anissa Espinosa
Release Date: 27th August 2014

This week Bee and Puppycat #3 deviates from the formula set up by sister publications such as Adventure Time and Bravest Warriors. Rather than have one main story and a back-up (usually done in a unique art style and featuring a self-contained plot), Bee and Puppycat #3 instead has four stories of varying art, plot and length. While this is a bonus for those eager to see talented artists bring the adorable world of Bee and Puppycat to life in unique ways, this approach unfortunately fragments stories which, in my opinion, already had some issues.

The art of course varies across this anthology, with no one section failing to please the eye. The standout is the final story, by Anissa Espinosa, which takes a less cartoony approach to the series. A single page effort also stands out with its crayon-art serving a single joke. The stories which hold most closely to the style of the show make good use of simple expressions, and something which I like to call the “Scott-Pilgrim-character-looking-bored-or-angry-face” to convey the more lethargic parts of Bee’s character.

What the art gains from the anthology approach, the stories unfortunately loses. The stories in Bee and Puppycat were already somewhat anaemic, with the large panel size already making for a quick read, but with four in one comic nothing really feels important enough. The only returning storyline comes back, but is over within three panels. This makes storylines hard to remember over the space of a month. I’d rather see the entirety of these stories, instead of fragments. The best example of this problem is the Espinosa story, which is about making a kite but somehow manages to end in a ‘To be continued”.

Ultimately, these stories remain cute and have nice little jokes within them, but the fragmentation ultimately makes the comic feel like less value for money when nothing seems to have been achieved in any story section. I am also beginning to feel that while the webshow manages to appeal to all ages, the comic fails to contain anything of real substance for older readers.

Rating: 2/5

PREVIEW ARTWORK.

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