Stag-B quickly begins to see Rhino-B as superior – after all, his friend is apparently full of random survival skills.Īs Stag-B watches Rhino-B set up camp, the flames of the campfire – the fire that Stag-B couldn’t figure out how to create – are reflected eerily in his eyes, as his feelings well up and eventually explode. He can’t tell which plants are safe and which are poisonous, he doesn’t know how to effectively build a fire, and the longer they stay out in the forest, the more uncomfortable Stag-B feels. The book begins with a gentle, fairly safe exploration out in the world – the boys go camping! Rhino-B proves to be a knowledgeable camper, but Stag-B struggles.

Laura Knetzger’s second Bug Boys book with Random House Graphic, Bug Boys: Outside and Beyond, brings more sweet stories about growing up and expanding one’s view of the world.īug Boys: Outside and Beyond Laura Knetzger (Writer & Art), Lyle Lynde (Colors)Īs the title suggests, this new collection focuses on stories that bring Rhino-B and Stag-B outside the comfort of their cozy home in Bug Village. Protagonists Rhino-B and Stag-B often spend their stories worrying about what it means to grow up and become an adult, but they meet adult mentors who teach them gentle lessons, and guide each other through. Bug Boys has always been a comic that brings such sweetness. I'm certainly curious to see what else she comes up with in comics.Sometimes, especially when the world is terrible, you just need something sweet.

Not everyone will enjoy the artwork, which is deliberately very cartoony, but for the most part it worked very well. Think of it as the graphic equivalent of a Winnie the Pooh story. Some of the philosophizing will also be over the heads of the youngest readers, but for older kids up through adults, this might make an entertaining read. The humor isn't of the gross-out variety, more light slapstick and wordplay, so it's actually a bit sophisticated compared to something like Dav Pilkey's work. There is some element of danger and risk in their adventures, but for kids who are getting to the point where that's what is supposed to be happening in their lives, it's just right.

The characters themselves are the bug equivalent of older children, and behave about like that, but the mixture of characters and personalities is what makes the stories interesting. Too often, 'all ages' comics are assumed to be for very young kids, but in fact, this really just is one that's suited for all ages. This is a very sweet collection of stories that may resonate with a variety of ages.

Bug Boys by Laura Knetzger