Review – Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Tricksters #3

Review – Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Tricksters #3

Writer: Amal El-Motar

Artist: Isa Hanssen

Publisher: Boom! Studios

Release Date: May 19, 2021

Synopsis

Have a look at our last review of JIM HENSON’S THE STORYTELLER: TRICKSTERS here.

Meet Reynard, a wily but penniless fox who boasts to his learned friend Stork that he will make himself a fortune at the market, despite having nothing to sell but an empty pouch.
But Reynard’s scheme may come with terrible consequences, both for the customers he cons and for the con-man himself…
Award-winning author Amal El-Mohtar (This is How You Lose The Time War) and Isa Hanssen present the next standalone chapter of this Jim Henson-inspired epic limited series here, with a different acclaimed creative team on each issue!

Writing

The famous tale of the stone soup, where a wily traveller tricks hungry villagers into parting with ingredient to make the soup is referenced here by El-Motar to great effect. Reynard, the Fox, is both likeable and terrible in the tale. He sets out to prove Stork wrong and cons villagers with fantastical tales of battles with giants and stealing their prizes.

By warning each villager that their prize will fail if they open it early sets up great hook where if any look at the actual contents they will find ordinary objects like stones (again) or a pie.

As a fable, this is an interesting tale for kids, Reynard does seem to get away with his tricks and the noble and smart Stork is punished for daring to challenge him.. but as the Storyteller tells him that is how the world works.

It’s good for kids to sometimes not get happy endings, the world is full of arrogant Storks and wily Foxes that will trick them of their money! But as with the second ending, there’s always someone bigger after the tricksters.

Artwork

The book is beautifully hand painted by Isa Hassen and feels old and something you’ve read before. The  youthful art style that is filled with lots of colour will entertain young readers and I could see a nursery or kindergarten teacher encouraging kids to draw their favourite characters or moments after reading.

The subtle way that the panels are bordered by vines and flowers brings warmth and familiarity needed in the book. As a whole, the way the panels are filled with imaginary giants, colts and flowers brings a Grimm fairytale feel to the pages.

Overall Thoughts

This was a fun story that made me want to know more about the adventures of Reynard, I wonder if Amal would be interested in this? The mirror of using the Storyteller in the market to mirror the con artist Fox was not lost and hopefully, parents can warn kids about outlandish sellers. Treat someone you know kids with this issue and you can thank me later. For the age group it’s targeted at this is a perfect five star read.

[yasr_multiset setid=1]

[yasr_visitor_multiset setid=1]

What did you think of our review for The Storyteller? Let us know in the comments and leave your own rating above.

Thanks to the good folks over at Boom! studios for the preview provided for review purposes!

Buy tickets for BGCP Comic Con in and around Glasgow Scotland – BUY TICKETS

Check out all of our Comic, Movie, Television and Videogame Reviews HERE and our Podcasts/Interviews HERE

If you want to be part of the BGCP community, Join us on Discord, Twitter, Instagram etc then click HERE