Douglas Fredericks and the House of They

By Rebecca Buchanan
August 10, 2009

Title: Douglas Fredericks and the House of They
Publisher: Image
Writer: Joe Kelly
Artist: Ben Roman
Colorist: Jorge Molina
ISBN: 978-1-58240-994-8
Price: $17.99 US

Once upon a time, there was a young adventurer/scientist/explorer/inventor named Douglas Fredericks. The latest in a very long line of free-thinkers and inventors, young Douglas had it in his head to present his parents with a truly awesome and wonderful and unique gift for their anniversary. Unfortunately, every idea he has — from the flying camel to teaching the prehistoric Welsh Corgi Dino-Dog how to sing to the self-baking Cake City — is shot down. Why? Because they say so. Because They say that if camels had been meant to fly they would have been born with wings. Because They say you can't teach old dogs new tricks. Fed up with They and Their nonsensical Rules, Douglas Fredericks sets out to find and confront They ....

Every child asks, "Why?" And the answer is usually, "Because I said so!" Or, "Because that's just the way things are!" Or, "Because they wouldn't approve!" Very unsatisfying answers. Thank you, Kelly and Roman and Molina, for presenting us with a story that forces us to confront those very unsatisfying answers and really, deeply ask, "Why?"

Douglas Fredericks and the House of They is a delightful, high-spirited, brightly-colored yarn. And it is a yarn, in the classic sense of the word. A story of high adventure and fantastic inventions, an epic quest with a impossible goal, and a hero worth cheering on.

If I have one gripe, it's the typos. There are several very noticeable ones scattered through the text. Hopefully, those will be corrected before the next print run.

Highly recommended to fans of Polly and the Pirates, Imogene's Antlers, and The Epic of Alexandra.