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Korgi #4
The Problem with Potions
Magic potions can be powerful stuff, but they don't always turn out like you want. Our canine hero, Sprout the Korgi, learns this the hard way — and goes through quite the transformation — in his latest adventure! This mixed-up woodland fairy tale features Ivy's first meeting with Sprout, a surprisingly musical new trick, an undead unicorn, more of those pesky Creephogs, and at least one giant boulder.
As always, the story unfolds in lovingly detailed pen-and-ink drawings. From the heart, mind, and hands of Christian Slade comes the most fantastic and creative chapter yet from the enchanting world of Korgi.
As always, the story unfolds in lovingly detailed pen-and-ink drawings. From the heart, mind, and hands of Christian Slade comes the most fantastic and creative chapter yet from the enchanting world of Korgi.
120 pages, Paperback
First published October 12, 2016
2 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Christian Slade
50 books38 followersAs a boy growing up in New Jersey, Christian Slade carried his sketchbook everywhere he went. It was said that he sometimes lived in another world, and it was this other world within the pages of his sketchbook that inspired him to draw from his imagination and the world around him. After thirty years, not much has changed. A former Disney animator and currently a full-time freelance illustrator, Christian has embarked upon his very first all-ages graphic novel series, Korgi. Christian currently lives in Orlando with his wife, Ann, and their two Welsh corgis, Penny and Leo.
--from the cover flap of Korgi: Book 1
Christian Slade has a B.F.A. from the University of Central Florida, an M.A. from Syracuse University, a health collection of comic books, way too many sci-fi toys, and a giant rubber tarantula. He keeps all this stuff in a little studio where he draws at the desk he used as a Disney Animator.
Korgi is Christian's very first all-ages graphic novel series. He currently lives in Florida with his wife Ann, their toddler twins Kate and Nate, and their Welsh corgis Penny and Leo.
--from the cover flap of Korgi: Book 2
--from the cover flap of Korgi: Book 1
Christian Slade has a B.F.A. from the University of Central Florida, an M.A. from Syracuse University, a health collection of comic books, way too many sci-fi toys, and a giant rubber tarantula. He keeps all this stuff in a little studio where he draws at the desk he used as a Disney Animator.
Korgi is Christian's very first all-ages graphic novel series. He currently lives in Florida with his wife Ann, their toddler twins Kate and Nate, and their Welsh corgis Penny and Leo.
--from the cover flap of Korgi: Book 2
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 15, 2017
This may be the weirdest entry yet in this odd but charming series. I had a great deal of fun "reading" this wordless graphic novel out loud to my teenage daughter, just like I shared the first one with her ten years ago. (Though the characters seem to swear a lot more now...)
December 5, 2016
I wasn't familiar with Christian Slade's Korgi series, but when I had a chance to review Book 4, I thought I would give it a chance. What I found inside was an enchanting world filled with magic and dogs.
After a short introduction, we are off on our adventure into a wordless world of black and white ink drawings. In this world, hunan looking woodland creatures called Mollies live with Korgis. There is an evil here in the form of a two-headed creature known as Derog-Glaw who rules the evil Creephogs. In this story, the creephogs are sent out to capture the story's main korgi, Sprout, using a magic potion. Due to a mix up the potion doesn't have the effect that the Creephog wants and Sprout grows really big (and spotted and other side effects). This doesn't make Derog-Glaw very happy, so they form a new plan that ends up involving an undead unicorn in a goofy disguise.
I'll say no more about the story in order to avoid spoilers, but I found myself entranced by this unusual world. I wish I had read the glossary at the end first in order to have a better understanding of the world and how it works. Stories told without words can be difficult, but with Christian Slade's art and storytelling, I never felt like I had lost the thread of the story.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Top Shelf Productions, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
After a short introduction, we are off on our adventure into a wordless world of black and white ink drawings. In this world, hunan looking woodland creatures called Mollies live with Korgis. There is an evil here in the form of a two-headed creature known as Derog-Glaw who rules the evil Creephogs. In this story, the creephogs are sent out to capture the story's main korgi, Sprout, using a magic potion. Due to a mix up the potion doesn't have the effect that the Creephog wants and Sprout grows really big (and spotted and other side effects). This doesn't make Derog-Glaw very happy, so they form a new plan that ends up involving an undead unicorn in a goofy disguise.
I'll say no more about the story in order to avoid spoilers, but I found myself entranced by this unusual world. I wish I had read the glossary at the end first in order to have a better understanding of the world and how it works. Stories told without words can be difficult, but with Christian Slade's art and storytelling, I never felt like I had lost the thread of the story.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Top Shelf Productions, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
November 9, 2016
Korgi is my favorite graphic novel series, the one book i bug the comic book store about year round. and this volume's solution is a giant corgi defecating and several pages of how the waste defeats the bad guy. didn't need to see that, didn't enjoy it. the art is still among the best in comics, but wasted here.
v. disappointing.
v. disappointing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2021
By: Ron Baxley, Jr., fantasy and “Oz universe” author with YBR Publishing and author and scripter of the international-award-winning fantasy Corgi graphic novel series for ages 10-100 (or older), “Ziggy Zig-zags the Light and Dark Fantastic”
Book 4 Meanders More Like Book 1 and is Dark Like Book 3; Art Is as Excellent as Others
4 out of 5 Stars
From a unicorn graveyard to a Sprout becoming a giant dragon-like kaiju with Korgi features, Christian Slade’s “Korgi, Book 4, ‘The Problem with Potions’” runs the gamut and is a bit more meandering or stream of consciousness like the plot in Book 1.
However, the truly haunting dark images of a skeletal unicorn and unicorn graveyard, the giant spotted “Kaiju-gi” Sprout, and even the silly Trojan-horse-like plush unicorn disguises the little creep-hog monsters create in the plot and sub-plots demonstrate that Slade continues to have the skilled fantastical visual whimsy of Brian Froud coupled with the dark imagery of comics artist Mike Ploog’s darker work.
Though the plot does tend to meander a bit in this one, one sub-plot does help further develop the characterization of long-time series protagonist, the Mollie/fairy woodland character Ivy and her, at times, mischievous Korgi, Sprout. Something happens between them that makes Mollie send Sprout away briefly (no spoilers here). And his feelings are hurt. Ivy regrets sending him away, but will it be too late?
The creephog servants of the Pluther twin princes (the reader will have to see the princes and how they are presented toward the end of this volume and this one… they are a terrifying wonder to behold) are busy doing the evil, dark-magic-practicing princes’ bidding. The creephogs try to shrink down the run-away Sprout, but they get a lot more than they bargained for. The magic provided to them by their evil masters back-fires, and they end up with the aforementioned “Kaiju-gi” spotted Sprout!
The creephogs are temporarily defeated by him and with their dark master come up with another way to try to defeat and capture him – the aforementioned skeletal unicorn. (By the way, the creephog image itself is what was foreshadowed in Book 3, and the creephogs play a major role in trying to help the antagonistic evil warlock princes what they want.)
Will the Pluther twin prince evil warlocks succeed? It will be up to Sprout, Ivy, long-time favorite toad Wart, and others in Korgi Hollow in this last of the Korgi graphic novels I have read up to this point.
Book 4 Meanders More Like Book 1 and is Dark Like Book 3; Art Is as Excellent as Others
4 out of 5 Stars
From a unicorn graveyard to a Sprout becoming a giant dragon-like kaiju with Korgi features, Christian Slade’s “Korgi, Book 4, ‘The Problem with Potions’” runs the gamut and is a bit more meandering or stream of consciousness like the plot in Book 1.
However, the truly haunting dark images of a skeletal unicorn and unicorn graveyard, the giant spotted “Kaiju-gi” Sprout, and even the silly Trojan-horse-like plush unicorn disguises the little creep-hog monsters create in the plot and sub-plots demonstrate that Slade continues to have the skilled fantastical visual whimsy of Brian Froud coupled with the dark imagery of comics artist Mike Ploog’s darker work.
Though the plot does tend to meander a bit in this one, one sub-plot does help further develop the characterization of long-time series protagonist, the Mollie/fairy woodland character Ivy and her, at times, mischievous Korgi, Sprout. Something happens between them that makes Mollie send Sprout away briefly (no spoilers here). And his feelings are hurt. Ivy regrets sending him away, but will it be too late?
The creephog servants of the Pluther twin princes (the reader will have to see the princes and how they are presented toward the end of this volume and this one… they are a terrifying wonder to behold) are busy doing the evil, dark-magic-practicing princes’ bidding. The creephogs try to shrink down the run-away Sprout, but they get a lot more than they bargained for. The magic provided to them by their evil masters back-fires, and they end up with the aforementioned “Kaiju-gi” spotted Sprout!
The creephogs are temporarily defeated by him and with their dark master come up with another way to try to defeat and capture him – the aforementioned skeletal unicorn. (By the way, the creephog image itself is what was foreshadowed in Book 3, and the creephogs play a major role in trying to help the antagonistic evil warlock princes what they want.)
Will the Pluther twin prince evil warlocks succeed? It will be up to Sprout, Ivy, long-time favorite toad Wart, and others in Korgi Hollow in this last of the Korgi graphic novels I have read up to this point.
June 1, 2017
I've been waiting on this volume foreeeeeeever, how did I miss that it came out like six months ago???
Anyway, it's been awhile since I visited Korgi Hollow, and I forgot how quiet and magical and sometimes unexpectedly humorous this wordless series can be. There are several things Sprout does in this volume that were soooo familiar to me--he steals food and knocks over dishes when Ivy's back is turned (Quigley) and in the morning Ivy looks over at him to see him belly up with his tongue hanging out (Sassy). I also liked that he gets yelled at for the second instance of food thievery when he's caught in the act, and he seems just totally clueless about the whole thing (that seems like both our corgs).
Anyway, it's cute, and the art is lovely and I'm so happy Slade finally put out another book! I will now commence the long wait for another one!
Anyway, it's been awhile since I visited Korgi Hollow, and I forgot how quiet and magical and sometimes unexpectedly humorous this wordless series can be. There are several things Sprout does in this volume that were soooo familiar to me--he steals food and knocks over dishes when Ivy's back is turned (Quigley) and in the morning Ivy looks over at him to see him belly up with his tongue hanging out (Sassy). I also liked that he gets yelled at for the second instance of food thievery when he's caught in the act, and he seems just totally clueless about the whole thing (that seems like both our corgs).
Anyway, it's cute, and the art is lovely and I'm so happy Slade finally put out another book! I will now commence the long wait for another one!
February 4, 2018
Perfectly captures the "I regret yelling at my dog" feeling. Story-wise, it was another just okay entry, and this time a lot happens but I found some of the frames a bit hard to understand what was happening or why. Still not clear on the motivation of the evil princes, and there wasn't much of a resolution or anything that made me wish I could read on.
Overall, the series is good enough for someone looking for a wordless comic, anyone who likes corgis, and guardians looking for a book that would prompt conversation and interpretation rather than take them passively on a wild adventure.
Overall, the series is good enough for someone looking for a wordless comic, anyone who likes corgis, and guardians looking for a book that would prompt conversation and interpretation rather than take them passively on a wild adventure.
January 26, 2022
It was good to at last find a library copy of Book 4. I had read the first 3 almost four years ago and I was curious to see how the Korgi saga unfolded. This one is my least favorite as Sprout and Ivy are enstranged for most of it, but it was still enjoyable to visit this world again.
*There is one page potentially frightful for younger readers and there is some poop involved towards the end.
*There is one page potentially frightful for younger readers and there is some poop involved towards the end.
June 5, 2023
As a corgi owner myself, I could see her in every picture of Sprout and me in Ivy. The curiosity and insatiable appetite of corgis was beautifully depicted in Sprout. Plus the frustration and absolute love that Ivy holds for her companion is the most touching thing I have felt as it is the same that I feel for my own precious pet. This volume shows minor separation of our two favorite characters but in the end they work together to protect their home and re-ignite their most solid bond together
December 24, 2020
Another charmingly illustrated edition of “Korgi”. This one again has some horror elements in it... a zombie unicorn, on top of an upsetting fight between Sprout and Ivy. Still can’t get enough of this delightful concept.
March 16, 2022
pros: Mr. Slade keeps up his dedicated sketches of Ivy and Sprout
cons: plot seemed derivative
read like an episode of "The Smurfs," with the antagonist being reminiscent of Gargamel
undead unicorn
cons: plot seemed derivative
read like an episode of "The Smurfs," with the antagonist being reminiscent of Gargamel
undead unicorn
October 11, 2024
These books are so weird. Weird is good. The weirdness is probably the only reason I'm still "reading" these. Fairies and corgis? Meh. But fairies and corgis with Cthulhu-bots and undead unicorns? Yes, please...
November 22, 2017
Corgis and zombie unicorns, what more could you want?
January 6, 2018
Not as good as the other ones, I think, but still not bad and just as adorable as ever.
March 10, 2019
Beautiful
July 6, 2021
SPROUT!!! NOOO!! This feisty little Korgi gives the Mollies a run for their money.
February 14, 2023
3.5 stars
October 20, 2023
I really felt like the series was getting directionless with this read. The initial edition was building stuff and I felt like some of it was abandoned and this was a whole new idea to try with no value behind it.
I could stare at the art all day long but the art isn't going to save this volume.
I could stare at the art all day long but the art isn't going to save this volume.
December 18, 2023
Korgi continues to be one of the greatest things we have created as a species
November 9, 2024
Love this art!
December 8, 2024
They really stepped in it.
April 14, 2025
Sprout the Korgi falls victim the effects of a strange concoction. And there's a zombie unicorn! Grand artwork makes words unnecessary.
August 24, 2021
My Review: It has been a while since I have last read a Korgi book, they don't really come out on a consistent schedule but I do adore this series. I wasn't too sure about this one when I saw the cover, it doesn't really match the rest of the series or what I expected it to look like, but after reading it makes a lot more sense. I am glad I picked this one up, it had loads of personality and really added to the overall story. Even without any words the characters and story really come to life. The story in this one is a bit silly and quirky, I loved the look at the 'evil' creatures, they are rather unique. These graphic novels are great for readers of all ages, even those who can't read yet.
November 3, 2016
Thank you Netgalley and Diamond Book Distributors for the ARC!
This was the most beautiful graphic novel for children that I've read this year. Full review on my blog.
Esta es la novela gráfica para niños más hermosa que leí este año. Reseña completa en mi blog.
This was the most beautiful graphic novel for children that I've read this year. Full review on my blog.
Esta es la novela gráfica para niños más hermosa que leí este año. Reseña completa en mi blog.
February 3, 2023
Just as cute as the rest, though the plot is a little more stream-of-consciousness than I might have liked-- while I was happy to follow it whenever it went, and honestly couldn't put this one down either, I did want a touch more connection between events and actions. Still absolutely worth a read for that gorgeous art and to continue the series.
August 15, 2024
79%
* can't say I really understood the conflict between Sprout and Korgi, and I found the whole thing pretty frustrating/annoying
* yay for world-building! loved getting the background story about where Mollies come from and how Korgis tie into their lives
* can't say I really understood the conflict between Sprout and Korgi, and I found the whole thing pretty frustrating/annoying
* yay for world-building! loved getting the background story about where Mollies come from and how Korgis tie into their lives
Read
December 27, 2018Beautiful and charming, as always!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews