Jellaby Volume 1: 04/05/09

Jellaby Volume 1 by Kean Soo was short listed for the Cybils this year. It is one of a number of graphic novels set in Canada from the short list. It follows Portia Bennett's friendship with a purple monster she's named Jellaby and her goal to help it get home. Her only clue is a photograph of a mysterious door in nearby Toronto. Can she get Jellaby there safely and find the door?

Jellaby begins like a lot of the manga I've read: in school bringing together an unlikely set of characters into a friendship based around something fantastic (in this case the existence of Jellaby). Although Portia is a bit of a loner at school and a latchkey kid at home (single mother with a busy schedule), she becomes friends with Jason, a kid who is fond of carrots and ramen.

Since this book is only volume one, the answer behind the mysterious door is not answered. The characters and plot is entertaining. Soo's illustrations are cartoonish and charming. They fit well with the story and are fun to look at all by themselves. To keep with the purple jelly theme most of the illustrations are done in shades of purple except for the orange carrot on Jason's shirt.

The second volume, Jellaby: Monster in the City is now out and I'm looking forward to reading it when I get the chance.

Comments (2)

Comment #1: Monday, April, 6, 2009 at 08:28:00

nimrodiel

the charecters from Jelleby also pop into several of the Flight graphic novel collections.

Comment #2: Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 22:54:00

Pussreboots

Thanks for the heads up. I really enjoyed Jellaby and expect I will be reading more of Kean Soo's books in the near future.