Mike Bullock and Jack Lawrence return with their novel childhood fantasy series, this time, landing back at Image Comics. What stands out as the property's greatest asset is Lawrence's depiction of the magical animals from which the book derives its title, and the designs remain as striking and comforting as ever. But Bullock deserves a good bit of credit with this second series, as he's crafted a script that's accessible. One needn't have read volume 1 of this title in order to hop on board and enjoy this new mini-series. The characters, concept and conflicts set out clearly. Calvin & Hobbes meets The Chronicales of Narnia in this light but diverting read.
Joey and Courtney are enjoying a wonderful friendship, brought together by a common bond: their magical champions, in the form of stuffed anmials crafted by Courtney's family. Courtney begins to wonder, though, that perhaps the existence of the malevolent Beasties is a cosmic answer to the heroic stuffed animals, and if the heroes weren't around anymore, perhaps the monsters wouldn't be either. Before they can consider that profound puzzle, they learn of a coup in the Night Pride's kingdom, and it appears Courtney's friend, the bear Orson, may be one of the first casualities of war.
The animal and monster designs through the book are inventive and eye-catching, and I never tire of seeing their glowing eyes. I think the real appeal of the heroic characters is the combination of fierceness in those eyes and the soft, comforting, cuddly looks that have been incorporated into their feral forms. Some of Lawrence's art in this book remninds me of the style one can see in Disney's Robin Hood animated film from decades gone by. The colors are really vibrant as well, and that's a big part of the energy and magic that are such an integral part of the visual strength of the book.
Bullock establishes an epic feel in the latter part of the issue with the eruption of a war in the magical animals' world. The news of the crisis comes rather quickly and conveniently, but it's understandable, given that this is a limited series and the writer can't just ease us into the plot gradually. The jarring emergence of that violent plotline doesn't distract for too long, as Bullock's accessible script gets the reader involved in the fates of the characters rather quickly.
The most interesting part of the story comes in the opening scenes between Joey and Courtney. Courtney's doubt of the need for her family's magical trade is a rather unexpected but intriguing notion. Her theory is a bit abstract and advanced for a kid, but Bullock's script still maintains a young and innocent tone in her dialogue, making it much easier to accept from her. I truly hope it's Courtney's idea that serves as the core plot for this series, as it's far more novel and interesting than a fantasy war. 7/10
