REVIEW: I Hate Fairyland, Vol. 2 #1

3.58/5.0 Stars

Rating if the Book Were a Movie: PG-13

Creative Team:

• Writer: Skottie Young
• Artist: Brett Bean
• Colors: Jean-Francois Beaulieu
• Letters: Nate Piekos
• Cover: Skottie Young
• Editor: Joel Enos
• Publisher: Image Comics

Ratings:

• Story: 3.5 Stars
• Artwork: 3.5 Stars
• Cover Artwork: 3.7 Stars
• Dialogue: 3.6 Stars
• Editing: 3.5 Stars
• Mechanics: 3.7 Stars

About the Book:

In volume one of “I Hate Fairyland” we met Gertrude, a sweet little girl who wanted to visit the magical world of Fairyland. One day her wish comes true. She is whisked away to Fairyland. After seeing everything there is to see Gertie asks if she can go home. Fairyland’s queen gives Gertie a key to the gate that will allow her to exit Fairyland. All Gertie has to do is find the gate. 

After 30 years of searching, Gertrude didn’t find the gate. During this time she never physically aged. When Gertrude finally leaves Fairyland, mentally she’s in her late thirties and has all of the emotional baggage that comes with it. 

In the first iss of “I Hate Fairyland”, Vol. 2 we see how Gertie is handling physically being a young adult in our world. She has a high tolerance for alcohol and a low tolerance for stupidity. This combination makes it very difficult for her to hold down a job. Now Gertie has someone that believes nobody is more highly qualified than her for the job they have in mind. Will Gertie be able to handle it though?

Reader’s Notes:

The original “I Hate Fairyland” series held a special place in my heart because I had never read anything quite like it before. I loved every muffin fluffin’ panel. Volume 2 pulls us right back in as we watch Gertie’s struggles to maintain employment and sobriety.

It makes sense. The poor girl’s formative years were spent in Fairyland, where moral values didn’t hold as much of a premium as they do here. It’s easy to see why she has anger issues. In that world she could just lash out. Here there are ramifications for doing so.

I loved this cover. When it hit the shelves I was thinking, “There’s our little girl. She’s all grown up now!” as she sports a maniacal grin and a shirt that says, ”Fluff Off”. I would have been fine with something a bit more chaotic; but this works.

The artwork on the interior pages helps complete the ambience. It’s fun and whimsical, helping the reader laugh at scenarios. I loved Gertie’s facial expressions as she listened to the customers in the restaurant. I don’t blame her for deciding that enough was enough. Sometimes I feel that way in my 9-5.

As a geek on a budget, I’m all in on the second volume of “I Hate Fairyland”. It’s filled with laughs as we see our heroine trying to make her way through day to day life. I’m very eager to see where this story is going!