A charming all-ages comic, Sketch Monsters is the whimsical story of eight-year-old Mandy, who expresses her repressed emotions through her drawings. These giant crayon creatures then come to life and proceed run to and fro across town, causing havoc in their wake.
I first discovered this book at the Oni Press panel at New York Comic Con, and was smitten after seeing a few small samples. Joshua Willamson’s story is quick-moving and without pretense, and Vinny Navarrete’s artwork is a joy to behold: the clean lines used for the settings and human characters contrast beautifully with the free-form mayhem of colors that delineate Mandy’s monstrous creations. The action is clean and crisp, and the storytelling precise. It’s a short but memorable read with plenty of room for sequels, and suitable for fun-loving people of any age… Put it on your holiday shopping list for any kids you know, and grab a copy for yourself while you’re at it.
Sketch Monsters Vol. 1 is released today, from Oni Press. It’s available through all good comic shops and bookstores, or online from Forbidden Planet or Amazon.