Action Lab Entertainment 2015
Written by Gayle Middleton & Dave Dwonch
Illustrated by Amanda Coronado & Dave Dwonch
Coloured by Bill Blankenship
Maybe i’m getting more mellow in my old age but there really is something just so gosh darn cute about this story. With an American Manga style artwork and a premise that is universal and characters that enchant this story crosses over and is truly an all-ages delight. Destiny Harper felt alone and lost in her life and answered an ad to help take care of babies in a nursery but she wasn’t prepared for what that entails or the world it takes place in. Full of wonderful creatures and characters like the stinkless Stink Bug Rasket by her side she’ll navigate this world and we are along for the adventure of her lifetime.
In Gloomvania where monsters reign in gorgeous victorian attire they celebrate the hideous as sweet and well sweet to them is hideous so naturally the first person Destiny meets is considered an outcast among his own people. A friendship is born of mutual feelings but will this be enough for them to deal with the nursery and fulfill her obligation she unknowingly took upon herself?
The writing really is inventive and well done as Destiny has to overcome her initial feelings of taking care of these babies, vampire, zombie and werewolf varieties. Yes they are cute and yes they appear non-threatening but this world is new and strange for her and as a teenager who already feels lost and alone this is a story about how she finds her inner strength to overcome that which makes her feel most insecure. The message is wrapped up in the story beautifully so while it’s fun and whimsical it’s also empowering to see small changes happen one step at a time.
As the babies are introduced they each already have a lineage and active powers that will test Destiny’s limits to take care of them and keep them in line, though part of this seems more for show than to be truly threatening. Oh and for how long she’ll be shall we say trapped in Gloomvania well that’s revealed too. We see the final member of Destiny’s trusted friends introduced this issue as well. Penelope Rancid oh what a character, translator and somewhat perfect foil for Destiny’s cheerful optimism.
I have to say that i’ve never experienced a shopping trip like this one and I thought Harry’s first time in Diagon Alley was interesting but this is by far more fun! Already the babies make a Prison Stroller Jailbreak and you’d think this was the end of the world but it’s just too stinkin cute! Oh and there’s one more character introduced proving that the popular girl is the same regardless of where they come from.
This is a book many people would say just isn’t for me but honestly without picking up and giving it a try you’d be doing yourself a disservice. Whether you want know it or not this is cute, fun and makes you smile and it’s such the polar opposite of that too dark, gritty and overly dramatic angst filled super-hero titles available. This is a feel good book and we all need to smile and feel better for a short time and this does just that.