The Smurfette by Peyo

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Title: The Smurfette by Peyo

Notable: Book #4 in The Smurfs Graphic Novels series

Premise:

In this volume we learn about the origin of Smurfette and witness a Smurf famine.  Includes “The Smurfette,” and “The Hungry Smurfs.”

My thoughts:

I’m so sad to say that this is probably my least favorite Smurf graphic novel.  Boohoo!  I love Smurfette, but her origin tale is messed up!  Most Smurf fans know that the original Smurfette was made by Gargamel to sow discord in the Smurf village.  Though she isn’t evil, she is annoying in her original form.  She also looks a little frumpy, with a simple dress and stringy black hair.  When Smurfette complains about her looks, Papa Smurf comes up with a potion to beautify Smurfette.  Once she’s pretty, the rest of the Smurfs bend over backwards to do her will, even when her requests are dangerous and ridiculous.

The underlying message in this story bugged me so much!  The original Smurfette is “ugly” and annoying.  The male Smurfs see her as a nuisance because she can’t stay out of their business, talks all the time, and tells them what to do.  When she becomes pretty, she’s still portrayed in an unfavorable light as being manipulative, subversive and self-serving.  Either way, Peyo paints the sole female character in a very unflattering light and it feels like he’s making a broad commentary on the female race as a whole.  It felt sexist to me and I couldn’t really enjoy the story.

I recommend The Smurfette to fans of the Smurfs who want to know where Smurfette came from!

Possible Objections:

• A male chauvinist flavor to the story

Rating: 3 Stars

Until next time…

Lori

February 11, 2018 by Categories: Graphic Novels - Juvenile & YATags: azrael, book, cartoon, comic, gargamel, graphic novel, papa smurf, review, smurf, smurfette Leave a comment

The Aerosmurf by Peyo

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Title: The Aerosmurf by Peyo

Notable: Book #16 in The Smurfs Graphic Novels series

Premise:

In the main story, the Flying Smurf finally comes up with a plan that will allow him to fly–an airplane!  He gets to put his piloting skills to use when Smurfette is captured by Gargamel and Flying Smurf stages a rescue.  Includes “The Aerosmurf,” “The Masked Smurf,” “The Firesmurfs,” “Gluttony and the Smurfs,” “The Smurf and his Dragon,” and “Jokey Smurf’s Pranks.”

My thoughts:

This book contains several different Smurf stories, but my favorite would probably be “The Masked Smurf.”  One of the Smurfs dresses up in a mask and cape and plays pranks by throwing a pie in the other Smurf’s faces.  He even goes so far as to solicit requests for Smurfs to pie.  Papa Smurf gets to the bottom of the mystery by putting white ink on his request and then he checks the Smurfs’ hands to see which one is covered in ink.

All of the stories in this volume are enjoyable, and it’s one of the more strongly entertaining Smurf graphic novels.  Great for kids!

I recommend The Aerosmurf to all Smurf fans!

Rating: 4 Stars

Until next time…

Lori

January 22, 2018 by Categories: Graphic Novels - Juvenile & YATags: azrael, book, cartoon, children, comic, elementary, gargamel, graphic novel, juvenile, kids, papa smurf, review, smurf, smurfette Leave a comment

The Smurfs and the Howlibird by Peyo

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Title: The Smurfs and the Howlibird by Peyo

Notable: Book #6 in The Smurfs Graphic Novels series

Premise:

In the main story, a baby bird accidentally ingests some faulty fertilizer and he grows into a dangerous pest who terrorizes the Smurf village.  Includes “The Smurfs and the Howlibird,” and “The Smurf Express.”

My thoughts:

I am so close to being caught up with my Smurf graphic novel reviews and you have no idea how relieved I am.  Only one more after this one!  In the Howlibird story, the bird ends up being an absolute menace.  He ruins many of their houses, wrecks the bridge, destroys the well and generally tries to hurt the Smurfs.  Eventually the Smurfs are able to get some of Gargamel’s potion to make things small and feed it to the bird.  Even though the Howlibird is still as cantankerous as ever, he’s too small to do any damage.

In “The Smurf Express,” Handy builds a train and track to help haul supplies from the woods back to the Smurf village.  Gargamel discovers the tiny tracks which he changes so that they lead to his house.  He captures some of the Smurfs, but Papa Smurf stages a rescue and changes the tracks so that Gargamel can’t follow them back to their village.

I recommend The Smurfs and the Howlibird to Smurf fans.

Rating: 3 1/2 Stars

Until next time…

Lori

January 20, 2018 by Categories: Graphic Novels - Juvenile & YATags: azrael, book, cartoon, children, comic, elementary, gargamel, graphic novel, juvenile, kids, papa smurf, review, smurf, smurfette Leave a comment

The Return of the Smurfette by Peyo

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Title: The Return of the Smurfette by Peyo

Notable: Book #10 in The Smurfs Graphic Novels series

Premise:

In the main story, Smurfette returns and announces that she will marry the Smurf who brings her the moon.  Can you guess whether not anyone is successful?  Includes “Romeos and Smurfette,” “The Return of the Smurfette,” “The Smurf Garden,” “The Handy Smurf” “Halloween” and “Smurferies.”

My thoughts:

It’s gratifying to see Smurfette featured in several stories!  This book shows a lot of male Smurfs smitten with Smurfette and trying to get her to marry them.  They show off their skills in a bid to impress her, but she can be a bit fickle in love.  In the end Smurfette decides that perhaps she’s not quite ready for marriage.

I really enjoyed the “Smurferies” at the end of the book.  It’s a series of one-page comics which share short Smurf lessons.  Sort of like Aesop’s fables.  They’re short and pithy, and will make you as wise as Papa Smurf.  The one where they’re having a costume party is so cute and funny!

I recommend The Return of the Smurfette to everyone who loves Smurfette.

Rating: 4 Stars

Until next time…

Lori

January 19, 2018 by Categories: Graphic Novels - Juvenile & YATags: azrael, book, cartoon, children, comic, elementary, gargamel, graphic novel, juvenile, kids, papa smurf, review, smurf, smurfette Leave a comment

The Smurfs and the Egg by Peyo

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Title: The Smurfs and the Egg by Peyo

Notable: Book #5 in The Smurfs Graphic Novels series

Premise:

In this book, the Smurfs discover a magic egg, Gargamel becomes a Smurf, and a freak accident results in a new Smurf.  Includes “The Smurfs and the Egg,” “The Fake Smurf,” and “The Hundredth Smurf.”

My thoughts:

In the first story, the Smurfs want to bake a cake but they need to find an egg.  They go through all kinds of shenanigans to get one and then when it gets back to the village, they discover that it’s a magic egg that will grant them any wish.  The Smurfs wish for all kinds of crazy things until Papa Smurf sees the mayhem it’s causing and wishes everything back to normal.

In “The Fake Smurf,” Gargamel makes a potion to turn himself into a Smurf to infiltrate the village.  He follows another Smurf back to the village and quietly tries to sabotage everybody else.  As with most of his plans, this one fails and Gargamel changes himself back to try and capture the Smurfs.  His potion returns him to the right shape, but not the right size — he’s a tiny Gargamel!

I recommend The Smurfs and the Egg to Smurf fans.

Rating: 3 1/2 Stars

Until next time…

Lori

January 19, 2018 by Categories: Graphic Novels - Juvenile & YATags: azrael, book, cartoon, children, comic, elementary, gargamel, graphic novel, juvenile, kids, papa smurf, review, smurf, smurfette Leave a comment

Smurf Vs. Smurf by Peyo

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Title: Smurf Vs. Smurf by Peyo

Notable: Book #12 in The Smurfs Graphic Novels series

Premise:

In this book, we meet Gargamel’s cousin, Barbapapa, and the Smurfs engage in civil war!  Includes “Smurf Vs. Smurf,” “The Painter Smurf,” “The Smurf Vacation,” and “Easter Smurfs.”

My thoughts:

This is another average Smurf graphic novel.  It’s not my favorite, but it did have one story in particular that was very interesting.  “Smurf Vs. Smurf” is basically the Smurf version of civil war.  The North and South Smurfs start fighting over how words should be said.  Yeah, it’s that trivial.  Papa Smurf goes to Gargamel for help to try and get the Smurfs to stop fighting.  Papa Smurf and Gargamel switch bodies and Papa Smurf (who looks like Gargamel) returns to the village so that the Smurfs will unite against their common enemy.

The story trivializes the concept of civil war, and I’m certainly not defending it, but it’s usually started over something slightly more important than word usage.  In using such an absurd example though, I think Peyo was trying to show kids that civil war is sometimes not justified.

I recommend Smurf Vs. Smurf to all of you who love reading about the Smurfs!

Rating: 3 1/2 Stars

Until next time…

Lori

January 18, 2018 by Categories: Graphic Novels - Juvenile & YATags: azrael, cartoon, children, comic, gargamel, graphic novel, juvenile, kids, papa smurf, smurf, smurfette Leave a comment

The Strange Awakening of Lazy Smurf by Peyo

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Title: The Strange Awakening of Lazy Smurf by Peyo

Notable: Book #17 in The Smurfs Graphic Novels series

Premise:

In the main story, the rest of the Smurfs play a practical joke on Lazy Smurf when he’s caught sleeping while the rest of them are working.  The other Smurfs put on costumes and makeup to look old, and stage the town to look like it’s in a state of decay.  When Lazy wakes up, he thinks he’s been sleeping for many years and now it’s his job to take care of all the aging Smurfs.  Includes “The Strange Awakening of Lazy Smurf,” “Gargamel and his Nephews,” “Gargamel’s Twin,” “The Ogre and the Smurfs,” “Disco Smurf,” and “Surfing Smurf.”

My thoughts:

My favorite stories from this book are the ones featuring Gargamel’s family.  His brother ends up being a really nice guy who befriends the Smurfs on his way to visit Gargamel.  The story with his nephews is one of my favorite Smurf stories.  The young boys get lost in the woods and the Smurfs take them in and care for them until they can be returned to their uncle.  The boys know they’ll get in trouble if their uncle finds out they’ve been with the Smurfs and haven’t helped him in his quest to catch the Smurfs.  So they devise a plan to give Gargamel a false map to the Smurf village so that they can escape and return home.  His nephews look hilarious with their little, round, bald heads!

I recommend The Strange Awakening of Lazy Smurf to Smurf aficionados.

Rating: 4 Stars

Until next time…

Lori

January 16, 2018 by Categories: Graphic Novels - Juvenile & YATags: azrael, book, cartoon, children, comic, elementary, gargamel, graphic novel, juvenile, kids, papa smurf, review, smurf, smurfette Leave a comment

The Smurf Apprentice by Peyo

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Title: The Smurf Apprentice by Peyo

Notable: Book #8 in The Smurfs Graphic Novels series

Premise:

The main story is about a Smurf who sees Papa Smurf’s awesome ability to make magical things happen with his laboratory concoctions, and wants to do magic himself.  Includes “The Apprentice Smurf,” “Smurf Traps” and “The Smurfs and the Mole.”

My thoughts:

In the first story, the unlucky Apprentice Smurf tries out some magic he stole from Gargamel, not knowing what he’s made, and ends up turning himself into a lizardy Smurf.  The poor guy goes back to Gargamel’s to try and find an antidote, but is captured.  Of course, the rest of the Smurfs come to the rescue and they figure out a way to return him to his former blue cuteness.  🙂

In “Smurf Traps” Gargamel actually uses his noodle to devise some traps that are irresistible to the Smurfs.  Brainy is targeted with a giant book, Jokey with a wrapped gift, and Greedy with an enormous cake.  Papa Smurf finds a way to rescue his little Smurfs and entices Gargamel into a trap of his own.

I recommend The Smurf Apprentice to Smurf fans everywhere!

Rating: 4 Stars

Until next time…

Lori

And yes, I did take a picture of the book in a hole in our wall–courtesy of the previous occupants!

January 16, 2018 by Categories: Graphic Novels - Juvenile & YATags: azrael, book, cartoon, children, comic, elementary, gargamel, graphic novel, juvenile, kids, papa smurf, peyo, review, smurf, smurfette Leave a comment

Smurf Soup by Peyo

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Title: Smurf Soup by Peyo

Notable: Book #13 in The Smurfs Graphic Novels series

Premise:

In the main story, a giant named Bigmouth shows up on Gargamel’s doorstep and demands something to eat.  Gargamel feeds him, but when he’s eaten everything edible in the house and still wants more, Gargamel tells him he should try Smurf Soup.  Includes “Smurf Soup,” “Gargamel and the Crocodile” and “The Clockwork Smurf.”

My thoughts:

Bigmouth is a fun character and it’s fun to see the different ways the Smurfs try to pacify him while coming up with a plan to make Smurf Soup that won’t actually harm any Smurfs.  Papa Smurf’s plan is ingenious and it totally turns the tables on Gargamel and gets him in trouble with Bigmouth.

“The Clockwork Smurf” is another enjoyable Smurf story.  Handy Smurf builds a Clockwork Smurf to help him with work around the house, but Gargamel captures him and builds an evil replica.  This new Clockwork Smurf feeds the rest of the Smurfs a potion which turns them into ugly-looking little monsters.  Never fear — Papa Smurf cooks up an antidote and they give Gargamel a dose of his own medicine!

I recommend Smurf Soup to Smurf fans everywhere!

Rating: 4 Stars

Until next time…

Lori

January 15, 2018 by Categories: Graphic Novels - Juvenile & YATags: azrael, book, cartoon, children, comic, elementary, gargamel, graphic novel, juvenile, kids, papa smurf, review, smurfette, smurfs Leave a comment

The Smurf King by Peyo

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Title: The Smurf King by Peyo

Notable: Book #3 in The Smurfs Graphic Novels series

Premise:

When Papa Smurf goes away on a trip, one of the Smurfs decides that they should vote to decide who is in charge while he’s gone.  This Smurf makes promises to the other Smurfs so they’ll vote for him.  When he gets elected, the power goes to the Smurf King’s head and his subjects start to regret their decision.  Includes “The Smurf King” and “The Smurfony.”

My thoughts:

This is quite a politically charged Smurf story!  Though the story is aimed at kids, any adult reading it will pick up on the subtle commentary made about any political system in which one person holds power over another.  The Smurf King ends up turning into a bit of tyrant and feels that he has the right to rule over the others.  He makes them build a grand palace and throws Jokey in prison.

Eventually the others become so frustrated with his high-and-mighty ways, that they defect to the woods to build a new village.  They no longer want a King to rule over them, and pretty soon Papa Smurf returns and puts everything to rights again.

I recommend The Smurf King to fans of the Smurfs.  If you enjoy political commentary, this is a fun way to get a dose of it!

Rating: 4 Stars

Until next time…

Lori

January 15, 2018 by Categories: Graphic Novels - Juvenile & YATags: azrael, book, cartoon, children, comic, elementary, gargamel, graphic novel, juvenile, kids, king, papa smurf, political, review, smurf, smurfette Leave a comment

The Smurfs and the Magic Flute by Peyo

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Title: The Smurfs and the Magic Flute by Peyo

Notable: Book #2 in The Smurfs Graphic Novels series

Premise:

This is a story about a magical flute which makes people dance and how a dishonest man named Oilycreep uses it to steal from others.  He conspires with Lord Mumford to use the flute to start a war and gain additional lands, but the Smurfs save the day by making a new magical flute to thwart their evil plans.

My thoughts:

In my opinion, this is possibly the best Smurf graphic novel.  The story is complex and it brings in a lot of elements that are outside of just the Smurf village itself.  Johan, Peewit and Homnibus, recurring human characters throughout the series, have major roles in this story.  The Smurfs are brought in almost as supporting characters.  Their role is to make the new magical flute and help stop Oilycreep and Lord Mumford.  Their village is definitely in the early stages of its development in this story.  It’s not pictured as this cute little village that you can get to just by taking a nice stroll through the woods.  The landscape around the Smurf village is pretty bleak, and the Smurfs and their houses look quite different from later renditions.

Although the illustrations have more of an old-fashioned look to them, the story is great.  I love the complexity of it and the human characters give it a different kind of flavor from most of the Smurf graphic novels.

I recommend The Smurfs and the Magic Flute to fans of the Smurfs.  It’s one of the best!

Rating: 4 Stars

Until next time…

Lori

January 14, 2018 by Categories: Graphic Novels - Juvenile & YATags: azrael, book, cartoon, children, comic, elementary, gargamel, graphic novel, juvenile, kids, papa smurf, review, smurf, smurfette Leave a comment

Forever Smurfette by Peyo

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Title: Forever Smurfette by Peyo

Notable: Unnumbered volume from The Smurfs Graphic Novels series

Premise:

This volume follows Smurfette on several classic Smurf adventures.  Includes: “A Kiss for Smurfette,” “Baby Owl,” “Little Red Riding Smurf,” “The Haunted Castle,” and “Bombollino Visits the Smurfs.”

My thoughts:

I really liked this Smurf graphic novel and it has become one of my favorites.  I’ve always been a fan of Smurfette (hasn’t every little girl?), so it’s a real treat to see an entire book full of stories where she features as a main character.  She just brings something special and unique to the stories that you don’t get with the male Smurfs.

My favorite story is “Baby Owl” in which Smurfette finds a baby owl and cares for it until it gets big.  She puts up a home for it in the forest, but one day discovers that her owl has left the nest.  Smurfette is devastated until one day, the owl returns with a mate and two owlets of its own.

I recommend Forever Smurfette to fans of the Smurfs–especially those who love Smurfette!

Rating: 4 Stars

Until next time…

Lori

January 14, 2018 by Categories: Graphic Novels - Juvenile & YATags: azrael, book, cartoon, children, comic, elementary, gargamel, graphic novel, juvenile, kids, papa smurf, review, smurf, smurfette Leave a comment

The Baby Smurf by Peyo

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Title: The Baby Smurf by Peyo

Notable: Book #14 in The Smurfs Graphic Novels series

Premise:

A stork mistakenly delivers a baby Smurf to the village and everyone becomes attached to their new little charge.  When the stork returns some time later with a note stating that they made a delivery error, Grouchy Smurf escapes with the baby into the woods.  He braves all kinds of difficulties trying to care for Baby Smurf in the wild, but eventually realizes that he’ll have to return to the village for the sake of the baby.  Includes: “The Baby Smurf,” “A Smurfing Party,” and “The Weather-Smurfing Machine.”

My thoughts:

This is a really, really cute Smurf story.  Okay, most of them are, but this one takes it a step further by introducing a tiny Smurf baby!  I absolutely LOVE babies!  It’s fun to see how the different Smurfs try to cater to the baby and keep him happy with their various skills.  Even Grouchy, that eternal complainer, finds that he can’t imagine living without Baby Smurf.

“A Smurfing Party” is a funny little story about how Gargamel tries to crash a party hosted by the Smurfs.  He pulls an old rabbit suit out of a trunk and dresses up, thinking he has fooled the Smurfs with his clever disguise.  The joke is on Gargamel though, when the Smurfs play some practical jokes on him!

I recommend The Baby Smurf to fans of the Smurfs.  Happy Smurfday to you!

Rating: 3 1/2 Stars

Until next time…

Lori

January 14, 2018 by Categories: Graphic Novels - Juvenile & YATags: azrael, book, cartoon, children, comic, elementary, gargamel, graphic novel, juvenile, kids, papa smurf, review, smurf, smurfette Leave a comment

Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor Complete Year One by Nick Abadzis & Robbie Morrison

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Title: Doctor Who : The Tenth Doctor Complete Year One by Nick Abadzis & Robbie Morrison

Premise:

The Doctor recently had to leave Donna Noble behind and is currently traveling alone.  During one of his adventures he bumps into a young lady named Gabriella Gonzalez, whose family is caught in the middle of an alien invasion.  Gabby helps the Doctor set things right and accompanies him on several more intergalactic journeys.  Includes comics #1-15 of the Tenth Doctor Year One series.

My thoughts:

I saw this at the library and just had to check it out!  Doctor Who?  Yes, please!  This is my first foray into Whovian comics.  I sort of expected this book to feature characters we had met in the TV series, but it brings in a whole new cast of characters.  At first I wasn’t sure about Gabby, but after getting to know her through the stories, I’ve come to appreciate her spunk and determination.  The storytellers did a great job of capturing David Tennant’s portrayal of the Doctor on the written page–his mannerisms, way of speaking, looks.

Don’t expect a completely seamless artistic experience when cracking open this big, honking book.  It was illustrated by a variety of artists, some of them with widely differing styles.  One of the stories is fairly gruesome as it deals with the subject of WWI.  I wouldn’t want my middle schooler getting his hands on that, but you’ll have to be the judge for your own kids.

I recommend Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor Complete Year One to Doctor Who fans.  If you love David Tennant, you will want to see the Doctor’s additional adventures!  I can’t wait to get my hands on the rest of these!

Possible Objections:

• Some violence & gore (particularly in “The Weeping Angels of Mons”)

Rating: 4 Stars

Until next time…

Lori

January 14, 2018 by Categories: Graphic Novels - AdultTags: adult, adventure, alien, bbc, book, collection, comic, doctor who, fan, graphic novel, outer space, review, sci-fi, teen, tennant, tenth Leave a comment

The Purple Smurfs by Peyo

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Title: The Purple Smurfs by Peyo

Notable: Book #1 in The Smurfs Graphic Novels series

Premise:

This is the first book in the Smurfs Graphic Novels series.  The main story is about how the Smurfs turn “rabid” and purple when stung by a particular insect.  Papa Smurf discovers an antidote, but will he be able to keep it from spreading?  Includes: “The Purple Smurfs,” “The Flying Smurf,” and “The Smurf and His Neighbors.”

My thoughts:

Since I like to do things my own way, I read the first book in the series way, way out of order.  Honestly, it didn’t make a lick of difference.  The main story about the purple Smurfs is kind of strange.  It reminds me a little of Lord of the Flies, with Smurfs basically becoming violent social misfits and spreading their toxic ways to others.  Not a bad story line, but perhaps not what you’re expecting from cute little Smurfs.

The story about the Flying Smurf is really cute, too.  That poor guy goes to so much trouble to fly and when he finally does, it’s too much for him to handle.  This one strikes me as a classic Smurf story and it was my favorite in the book.

I recommend The Purple Smurfs to fans of the Smurfs.  Even though this is the first book in the series, it isn’t necessary to read them in order.  Be a rebel!

Rating: 4 Stars

Until next time…

Lori

January 13, 2018 by Categories: Graphic Novels - Juvenile & YATags: azrael, book, cartoon, children, comic, elementary, gargamel, graphic novel, juvenile, kids, papa smurf, peyo, review, smurf, smurfette Leave a comment