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‘Little Nemo Return to Slumberland’: Detailed Dream

‘Little Nemo Return to Slumberland’: Detailed Dream

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Colorist Nelson Daniel
Letterer Robbie Robbins
Writer Eric Shanower
Artist Gabriel Rodriguez
Publisher Ted Adams
Published by IDW Publishing

Beautiful and overflowing with elegance. These are the words which match perfectly with ‘Little Nemo Return to Slumberland.’ The comic finds its roots from Winsor McCay’sLittle Nemo in Slumberland comic from the early 20th. ‘Little Nemo Return to Slumberland’ builds slowly on a tale of Slumberland once the original Nemo is no longer the Princess’s playmate. The writing is well thought out and characters are planned with care as the plot unfolds in time. Supporting the grand writing is the artwork. Stunning, detailed, and class in its appearance, the art creates a dreamy state that places the reader in the middle of the action.

King Morpheus, ruler of Slumberland, wishes to find his poor daughter the Princess a playmate for she is sad without one. The wise men of the kingdom go about search for a new playmate and suggestions come pouring forth. The name which stands out is of one James Nemo Summerton. The Princess upon hearing the name of Nemo, she decides that he must invite James to become her new playmate at once. King Morpheus happily approves of his daughter’s choice and sends off a servant, Popcorn, to invite James to Slumberland. The king first sends Popcorn to bring back James, but the young boy rejects the idea of playing with a princess. Another attempt is made with the servant, Bon Bon, who manages to get James to visit Slumberland with the promise of returning home should he not like the kingdom. The tale continues from there about the type of adventure James has in Slumberland.

Rodriguez’s art is fantastic. He crafts the locations of Slumberland with the utmost attention to detail. Such as the garden in the palace. The plants have fine curves and shading like fine art. Rodriguez gives time and care to make the scene feel real and still maintain a fantasy aspect through the odd plants. Rodriguez stand out even more with his attention to perspective such as when James goes with Flip to the Tessellated Tower. The doors can be upside now and stairs can be endless in the tower. It is a surreal place of impossible angles and shapes that highlights the possibilities of the world of Slumberland. Furthermore, Rodriguez characters and their designs are great for their fantasy and dreamy elements. For example, the character of Bon-Bon is designed to make the reader think of the candy. Bon-Bon’s design clearly shows the servant is a candy, yet is a royal servant off of his European like clothing. Rodriguez helps make each character feel like an individual.

The comic is a must read! ‘Little Nemo Return to Slumberland’ offers grand writing with steady pacing and artwork which must be seen. Readers will feel like they themselves are in Slumberland as they follow James. It is a fun adventure packed with trills, chills, and wonder. Give it a read and you will want to continue on.

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Bon-Bon’s design is wonderful colorful and well done.

 

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