Jim Henson's The Storyteller: Tricksters #1by Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 10 The Storyteller's dog discovers a spider and wants it gone. The Storyteller says "For shame!" He tells the tale of Anansi and how, without spiders, the world would have no stories or storytellers.First of all, I have to give a huge shout-out: kudos for having the Storyteller say "For Shame!" with regard to the negative reaction to finding a spider in the house. He then points out that it is a guest. The Storyteller remarks that some people acknowledge the good they do hunting pests, before he delves into the storytelling aspect. I love tales of Anansi, and this is a wonderful telling of his origin as a deity of wisdom and stories. There are many versions of this origin, and this one makes use of three of the challenges included in that: capturing Onini the python, Mmoboro the hornet, and Mmoatia, the fairy of the forest. The "how" of capturing them stays pretty traditional, and definitely highlights Anansi's clever tricks. I love how all three of Anansi's strategies make use of their spider webbing. The outwitting of Mmoatia is my favorite because it's a strategy some may be more familiar with from Br'er Rabbit (another African-originating trickster) and the tar baby story, but this story uses the sticky spider webs to make the doll! If you look up the origin story on Wikipedia, you'll find that Anansi goes to his wife for suggestions and aid, but here he uses his son. While I would have loved to see a female character in this comic, the helpful and loving father / son dynamic is an important thing to highlight, so I'm quite satisfied. I like that this story includes Anansi falling prey to the same sort of pride he took advantage of in others; it's an important thing for him to experience, and it influences his decision on how the wisdom and stories should be introduced to humankind. Plus, this part of the story allows his son to save his father (with his own cleverness) after Anansi was swallowed by a fish, and adds in the bonus story of the Moon's creation. I love the art for the main part of the story (I never really care for the art of the Storyteller and dog). The details and coloring fit the African aesthetic without trying to fit any culture too specifically. The settings are rich, lush, and detailed in just the right ways to make it a visual delight. The spider aspects are not depicted as "scary" in any way; in fact, Anansi has beautiful coloration on his abdomen and knees (like many real-world spiders). And I like the way the multiple eyes fit on the human faces of Anansi and his son. I can't recommend this enough! Anansi is a character more people should know about, and this comic does an excellent job of introducing him. Written: March 28, 2021
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