Reed Gunther Volume 2 TP
Reed Gunther and his bear, Sterling, are back for more madcap adventures in another rollicking all-ages comic. In a series of loosely linked vignettes, Reed, Sterling, and Starla amble around the frontier, helping people in trouble and sometimes starting some of their own while battling a reverse werewolf, zombie skeletons, and a creepy, devilish figure intent on stealing their souls. The highlight of this volume, though, is the charming backstory of Reed’s blundering childhood, culminating in an inept, fake-mustache-wearing neophyte cowboy triumphantly finding his bear companion on a trip through the woods and having his first taste of saving the day. Chris Houghton’s colorful, playful artwork is full of humor and imagination, and it’s at its best when Reed, Starla, and Sterling work together to battle tough guys and monsters in a series of havoc-wreaking punch-ups. This laugh-a-minute collection is teeming with goofy humor silly enough to delight kids and adults. Slapstick sight gags and expert comedic timing worthy of Adventure Time or SpongeBob SquarePants make this a natural crossover for cartoon fans. Grades 5-8. --Sarah Hunter