Mr. Big
A Tale of Pond Life
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- $8.99
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
In a watery world where only the strong survive, the reptiles and fish living in a small pond launch a plan to eradicate Mr. Big, a snapping turtle that is terrorizing them. Despite a few protests from some pond dwellers, who warn of the potential consequences this could have, the animals solicit the support of a murder of crows to carry out their plot. But the scheming crows have their own motives to kill the large reptile and decide to use this opportunity to do so. However, as the plan is put into action, a different, greater terror has found itself a member of the pond. Will Mr. Big be ousted forever? Or will the pond dwellers come to realize that even the old snapping turtle might serve his purpose in their small environment? And what will become of the new threat to those living in the peaceful pond?
This stunning graphic novel written for young readers illustrates the delicate balance that exists in small, self-contained, natural ecosystems and the relationship between predator and prey. Mr. Big is perfect for the classroom and will appeal to children interested in nature and comics.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Ten years ago, the husband-and-wife team of Carol and Matt Dembicki self-published a 20-page comic about a snapping turtle, Mr. Big, and his pond. This compilation unites that story and several that followed, newly colored by Jason Axtell. Themes of life, death, and balance within nature run throughout, and the major story line follows an attempt by some of Mr. Big's fellow pond denizens to evict him ("How much destruction has he caused? How many more must perish?" asks the mother of two young fish that got too close to Mr. Big's territory). But in trying to remove the devil they know, the animals create openings for unpredictable new predators, including an invasive snakehead fish ("This world is vastly different than his. But he adapts... quickly"). Filled with naturalistic detail, Matt Dembicki's artwork switches perspectives fluidly, moving above and below the water to stay close to the action; during a climactic underwater battle, his panels churn and bend, as though warped by the force of the combatants' movement. Although the story's ecological message lands a bit heavily, it's a lavish portrait of a vigorous ecosystem. Ages 7 10.
