Monster on the Hill ( Family Comic Friday)

   The British township of Stoker-on-Avon has a bit of a problem; a monster named Rayburn. Whereas the other towns have their own personal monsters that regularly attack them, Rayburn just hides in his cave overlooking Stoker-on-Avon and mopes.

    Now this sort of arrangement would be a dream come true for the people of Tokyo. But in the English countryside, these frequent attacks are a thing of pride for each borough. It's also an important source of income in the form of the tourist trade.

    In danger of bankruptcy, the Mayor of Stoker-on-Avon appoints Dr. Wilkie, an eccentric scientist considered the town quack, to get Rayburn back into fighting shape. Assisted by the fearless paperboy,  Timothy, the doctor begins his quest to reform Stoker's wayward monster on the hill.

    This was a very good graphic novel. The book is set in rural England during the height of the Victorian era. It's a very British story with a quirky premise, dry humor, and a little bit of magic, mirth, and mayhem.

   Yet the book is actually written by American author and illustrator Rob Harell (Adam@home). Harrell had me completely fooled. I felt like this was a work by one of the Pythons or Terry Pratchett. I think that is a shining example of his talents. ( He's also an accomplished painter... Here's a link to some of his breathtaking works.)

    There's nothing parents would object to in this book. Tthe book is very funny and expertly drawn. I think readers aged 9-15 will  enjoy this book the most. Younger readers will like this graphic novel too, but there are some pretty big words and they might need an older reader to help with those.

   Now if you little one might be scared of Monsters, then you may want to wait on this a little while. However, Monster on the Hill is not a scary book, nor is it gory. There is a bad guy in this book that Rayburn and friends eventually have to face, but that monster looks like a giant mountain lion made of dirt.

    I also think that Monster on the Hill would make a great animated movie. But if they do, please don't make it CGI Are you listening, Rob Harell? Reading this book, I kept hearing Matt Smith (Doctor Who) as woeful Rayburn with the equally talented Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) as Rayburn's old school mate, the boisterous Tentaculor. (Really, Rob, are you and publisher Top Shelf listening? I think you got a blockbuster hit on your hands here. I just ask for passes to the premiere.)

    Folks, get on the bandwagon here because I predict that this story is going to be huge one day!

   Worth Consuming.

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.