Monster on the Hill

May 20, 2013
Lots of folks enjoy a good scare, and that’s certainly true of the inhabitants of the alternate England in this goofy adventure from Harrell, creator of the comic strip Big Top. The year is 1867, and monsters are terrorizing England’s towns—much to the delight of their citizens (it’s great for tourism). The one exception is Stoker-on-Avon (one of many nods to classic literature that Harrell tucks into the story), whose monster, Rayburn, is rather depressed. “Day 536 Without Monster Attack,” shouts a newspaper headline. “Disappointment Palpable in Streets.” It’s up to a semi-disgraced scientist/inventor, Dr. Charles Wilkie, and Timmy, a “town crier/street urchin,” to help Rayburn get his groove (and growl) back. Harrell’s exuberant, cinematic cartooning plays up the fun of his mashup concept; despite the 19th-century setting, the dialogue is determinedly modern (with references to Hot Pockets, group hugs, and “deep tissue work”) in a way that recalls the Shrek films. But the anachronisms in no way damper the fun—the jokes pile up as quickly as the carnage when Rayburn monsters up to save his town. Ages 10–up.

Starred review from June 15, 2013
In an alternative 19th-century England, monsters both thrill and protect their towns. In Stoker-on-Avon, the townsfolk have been feeling a bit dismayed; their monster, a horned, winged creature named Rayburn, hasn't attacked in nearly seven years, and his lack of ambition serves as a constant embarrassment to his village. A disgraced doctor is asked to help "fix" the melancholic monster, and once he accepts, he discovers that a precocious street urchin has stowed along for the ride. The pair and the bummed-out beast set out to visit one of Rayburn's old creature friends, a savage-looking beast with a heart of gold popularly known as Tentaculor, but affectionately to his friends as Noodles. This leaves Stoker-on-Avon vulnerable and without a monster. Rayburn's absence is intuited by an abominable being known as the Murk, a mixture of mud, hair, and pure, unrefined evil. Faced with the imminent destruction of his town, Rayburn must overcome his dolorous disposition and rediscover his true terrifying powers. More at-home than anomalous, Harrell's world is easily accessible, a place where monsters seamlessly blend into 19th-century England. Touching deftly upon well-trod themes and with a deliciously cinematic sense of both framing and pacing, this indie charmer is both quirky and novel; expect it to appeal to fans of Jeff Smith's Bone series. Just plain monstrous fun. (Graphic fantasy. 9-12)

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November 1, 2013

Gr 3-5-Families from the town of Stoker-on-Avon are forced to go on vacation to get a decent monster thrill since their own monster inspires very little fear. In an effort to help him get back his confidence, a lovable, scrappy orphan and a mad genius doctor take him on a journey to reunite with other monster friends. Unfortunately this leaves their town open to attack by the dreaded Murk. The three manage to save the day without any real gore or over-the-top violence. This amusing tale set in an 1860s England in which every town has its own monster will please elementary students. Harrell's cartooning style is colorful and approachable. While it is not particularly innovative, it is well suited to the light and humorous story. The dialogue is full of witty quips and an interesting mix of modern British slang and formal old-fashioned phrasing. Harrell is best known for his syndicated comics, and his first stand-alone book will appeal to children looking for a funny adventure.-Elizabeth Nicolai, Anchorage Public Library, AK

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