Lions, Tigers and Bears # 2

Comic book: Lions, Tigers and Bears
Author: Mike Bullock
Artist: Jack Jawrence
February 2005
Genre: Action, Supernatural
Image comics
Reviewed by: Allen Klingelhoets


I really enjoy reading Lions, Tigers and Bears. I could hardly wait to read issue # 2. I wondered what was going to happen to Joey after he was sucked into Stuffed Animal Kingdom?
I loved seeing emotions of Joey. Facial expressions and reactions were genuine. I really felt Jack Lawrence captured how Joey would react when attempting to ride Ares. I was glad Night Pride was able to protect Joey when he entered Stuffed Animal Kingdom. Beasties were quickly scared away by Venus and Minerva. I wondered how Joey was going to return home after being taken to Stuffed Animal Kingdom?
I noticed Minerva said: “Never had a child been in Stuffed Animal Kingdom before and no scroll was present to open tree portal.” It seemed like very difficult situation for young Joey. I think only a child could have confidence to be brave in new world.
I instantly caught Ares “Be Brave!” reference to Joey. I look forward tor reading more about Tiger Man in trade paperback. I laughed until tears came out of my eyes when Joey tried to ride Ares. I felt it was going to be long ride to see King Bear.
I was stunned by images on trip to The Crystal Castle. I never recognized some of creatures in grove. I really hope King Bear will find a way to get Joey home! King Bear looked exactly like Teddy at Joey’s Grandma’s house. I know they are one and the same bears.
I liked way King Bear revealed in every generation there is one human that is granted the right to forge life force of stuffed animals in Joey’s home world. Stuffed animals have some sort of gift like precognition. Each stuffed animal is created to protect children from Beasties. I learned gift was taken away during great battle when agents of Valtraax took River Rock.
I wondered about Henry Bear. I noticed reference was made on Grove about Henry Bear. He must not have survived battle with Beasties . Issue was dedicated to Henry Bear. I wondered if this was Mike Bullocks stuffed animal from child hood?
Little Birdie was very important to story. I wondered about his reference to Pallo about “the cage.” I had no doubt Joey would not go for idea of being soul mates with Courtney. Joey is only a small child. The last thing on his mind would be kissing a girl.
Magic of imagination seems to be Key for Joey and Night Pride to protect
Courtney from Grumbler and Mumbler. It seemed natural for Commander Pallo to say secret code from Tree scroll to tree portal which opened door to Courtney’s bed room. I was glad Little Birdie helped get scroll to tree portal. “Hocus, Pocus.” Would have probably worked just as easily as chant ”ene,meene,myne.....moe!”
Oh No! Night Pride is too late!
Beasties have already arrived to capture Courtney I hope her stuffed animal that she is sleeping with can offer protection. I quickly noticed her stuffed animal was Major Orson. I can hardly wait to get my hands on issue # 3 to find out how this cliff hanger is going to be solved.
There were two mini-series in comic book form. Both were collected in graphic collected editions. There also was third series only sold in graphic novel format from Hermes Press.
Mike Bullock went on to write a series called "Gimoles". Lions, Tigers and Bears is all age series as was Gimoles. Mike than went on to write The Phantom series.
This is Wikipedia information about Lions, Tigers and Bears.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lions,_Tigers_and_Bears_(comics)


Allen Klingelhoets