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Over the Garden Wall (Collection) #1

Over The Garden Wall, Vol. 1

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Two lost brothers venture across a strange forest and discover incredible and bizarre things on their journey home in a style reminiscent of The Wind in the Willows and Sleepy Hollow.

Return to the Unknown with new Over The Garden Wall stories that expand the world of the Emmy Award-winning Cartoon Network series.

Writer and artist Jim Campbell spins a tale that follows Greg and Jason Funderburker as they traverse the Unknown and find new friends along the way. Meanwhile, the Woodsman’s daughter Anna, wanders alone in the Unknown after her father is tricked by the Beast.

Written by Amalia Levari with artist Cara McGee—find out how Anna learned to survive on her own as she starts her journey to save her father before his fate is sealed. Both of these stories are something no Over The Garden fan will want to miss!

Issue 1-4

112 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 2017

37 people are currently reading
2400 people want to read

About the author

Pat McHale

23 books159 followers
Patrick 'Pat' McHale is a writer, storyboard artist, animator, and independent filmmaker, best known for being a former writer and creative director on the animated series Adventure Time for Cartoon Network, which he contributed to during its first five seasons. McHale also created the mini-series Over the Garden Wall.

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5 stars
636 (30%)
4 stars
740 (35%)
3 stars
566 (27%)
2 stars
104 (5%)
1 star
16 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 279 reviews
Profile Image for Melki.
7,284 reviews2,610 followers
September 6, 2021
My youngest son recently introduced me to the film, and it was a case of insta-love for me. The eerie art, the music, the characters - I could watch it again, and again, AND I plan on doing just that.

The graphic novels concern the further adventures of the film's characters.

The first tale in the book, written and illustrated by Jim Campbell, features the irrepressible Greg on a quest with his stuffed raccoon, and his frog, Sheriff Funderberker. The story is delightful, and truly captures the whimsical feel of the film; Campbell's art may seem amateurish, but it works well with the dreamlike silliness of the plot.

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The second story, written by Amalia Levari, and illustrated by Cara McGee, is a perfect example of the film's darker side. Anna, forbidden to leave their property by her missing woodsman father, is all alone with her thoughts, and a wheelbarrow full of trashy romances that belonged to her mother. This is a beautifully told tale of solitude and longing.

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I can't wait to get my hands on volume two!
Profile Image for India.
Author 11 books125 followers
September 16, 2017
It's probably impossible to disappoint me with 'Over the Garden Wall'. The art, the story, the characters are all so beautifully done to me and I can't wait to read more, particularly of Anna's storyline.
Profile Image for Melina Souza.
357 reviews1,968 followers
April 13, 2020
Eu amei Over The Garden Wall (o desenho) e estou empolgada para ler todos os volumes dessa expansão da história.
Foi muito legal ter o contato com esse formato, mas gostaria que essas histórias ganhassem a versão animada também.
Aliás, acho que poderiam lançar um livro com os 10 episódios assim como o livro que li de Gravity Falls. Assim poderia reler sempre que não pudesse assistir :)
Profile Image for Stay Fetters.
2,507 reviews199 followers
February 15, 2023
"I wish I could help- but I’m just a policeman and everyone knows that policemen don’t know anything about making soup."

Over the Garden Wall will forever be one of my favorite shows. Greg wiggled his way into my heart and I’ll always appreciate the wacky adventures he leads his brother, Wirt, into.

The first story was cute and super funny. Little Greg has the most amazing adventures and I’m jealous. The second story was just too sweet for this book. If it doesn’t involve Greg, Wirt, or the President, is it even worth it?
Profile Image for Kadi P.
878 reviews140 followers
October 24, 2021
Split into two separate tales that didn’t gel well at all, this was an extremely bizarre vol.

The first story was childish and like the feverish dreams of a drug-user. Completely contrasting that was the second story which read like the kind that suited a young adult in the 20th century. Complete with a solemn storyline and complex vocabulary, it could not have been more different from the first story if it tried, and the fact that it followed on from such a childish story felt so odd, as though this volume lacked an editor to bring about a continuous theme and vibe throughout.

The only constant theme was one of steady confusion from me as I’ve never watched the “Over the Garden Wall” TV show and nothing regarding it or the characters or the setting or the storyline or any of it was ever explained in this. This was not a good starting point for me to get into the show with, if anything, it’d probably have worked out better if I’d watched the show first. But even then, the lack of explanation in this would still have seemed a little lazy and sloppy.
Profile Image for Justin (JustinisWesley) Mackie (andnotDavid).
110 reviews17 followers
April 15, 2017
in love with this dark, whimsical world and characters. Greg and Wirt are wonderful treat to read about. their adventures through the Unknown will be something I'll continue to read and enjoy until I die.

also, it was magical to read about Anna (the woodsmen's daughter) again. specifically her time along at the family home, waiting for her father's return. This simple tale had filled in some grapes from the mini series once again. and it was just a treat to visit this world. these story(s) continue to empress, with their themes of stone spun truths truths on life that you can feel a kinship with. I want more. <3
Profile Image for Lovely Day.
1,006 reviews169 followers
July 19, 2025
4⭐️

I only read the Greg & Wirt story and not the second comic in the book because it was kind of boring.

Little Greg is SO CUTE though! I loved his little dreamland adventure!
Profile Image for Kaci Pelias.
123 reviews
January 14, 2020
i needed this!!!! not only do you get a fun continuation of wirt and greg’s adventures, but there’s also a nice story abt the woodsman’s daughter as she waits for her father to return! the art is beautiful, the stories abt loneliness are 😍! i lové that this exists
Profile Image for anna ✩.
454 reviews128 followers
February 5, 2022
4 stars!

A good first instalment to the series, even if I did feel a little lost.

The illustrations are beautiful and the two storylines are very intriguing.
Profile Image for typewriterdeluxe.
377 reviews5 followers
May 19, 2017
There are 2 stories in this comic, and in my opinion they're just okay. They don't feel polished, even as tidbits that would have fit in-between episodes of the TV show. Greg is doopy and cute in whatever media form he takes (even when the story isn't great) but I think Over the Garden Wall doesn't work very well in comic book form, at least as it's done here. Generally, I was missing the better writing and music from the show. More specifically, I felt that the cursive font used in the second story (when Anna writes in her journal) wasn't a good choice for a comic book. Although it wouldn’t be a problem in a episode with a voiceover, using that font in this medium shuts out fans who haven't been taught cursive (mostly younger fans) from sharing in that part of the story.
Profile Image for AllBookedUp.
910 reviews1 follower
March 13, 2023
“...I’ll gladly take lunacy over loneliness.”

We start off with Greg doing his goodnight ritual as he spies one missing Sherrif Funderberker. Greg sees his pet frog, Sherrif Funderberker ready to hop off to another adventure. Armed with Greg’s trusty Teapot for headgear, and his sidekick, Robber Raccoon, his stuffed toy. The trio are on the case for their next adventure.

During this time, we see the trio go through several adventures where Greg finally realizes he should have trusted a friend and fears he has lost that friend forever. Their journey continues as they are looking for the Hero Frog.

The second half of the GN is a story about Anna, called “Homeland.” She is waiting for someone’s return and tries to stay put within the confines of her home She makes a list of rules she must follow and is deathly afraid of encountering “the Beast!”

The storyline and art styles from the first and second half are starkly different. The first is cute and whimsical, at best. The latter has a more serious tone with meatier subject matter. Anna fears she is going mad as she sees the reflection of her mother. Anna's mother passed away and currently her father has disappeared. She is every essence, alone in the world. As she gets to know her mother through “visions” she finally meets another person who has connections to her mother. This story is more palatable and more my style of a storyline. It's not as confusing and all she wants is love and not to be alone. Is that not what all of us want?

How to rate this GN… hard to say because in the first section, I give it a two. The storyline seemed childish, as goes the dialogue. I also felt as if I walked into the middle of a story. Astonished, I turned the cover of the book and indeed, it read, “Volume One.” The characters were not developed and the dialogue seemed questionable. The pacing was good for it was fast and I wanted to get that over with.

Contrasting to the latter half where “Homeland” was better developed. I enjoyed reading about Anna’s loneliness and how she tries to seek the company of others yet not wander off too far for the fear of the Beast and missing her father, should he reappear. The tale where her mother visits her and gives her much-needed comfort was heartwarming. The theme was more throughout and complex. I truly enjoyed it so I give that storyboard 3.5/5 stars.

It truly did bother me that I could not comprehend the story of Greg and his adventure. It was not until someone explained this series is based on the show from Cartoon Network. If I should watch the show, I would better understand it. I will pass.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2024
my neurodivergent ass has loved otgw for so long that i was in the top .05% listeners to the soundtrack for years on spotify. consequently, i got so excited when i saw these comics existed that i didn't even read the description. i immediately got them from my library and was confused as hell. it threw me right into completely different stories! i mistakenly thought this was the source content for the show lol. this is volume one of several continuation stories from the over the garden wall 2014 mini tv series. you definitely need to watch the show to understand why the stories matter- i meant it when i said they throw you right in!

anyways! i think the two stories in this volume really captured the spirit of the show well. the characters, atmosphere, and writing style all aligned with the spooky-whimsy and nonsensical humor sprinkled with a touching moment here and there you would expect based on the show. the art and lettering were lovely as well. all in all, i'm excited to continue on with a series that meant so much to me for so many years. these comics absolutely did it justice.
1 review
July 2, 2025
Muy cuquito, con unos personajes bastante peculiares e interesantes, un estilo que me recuerda en ciertas cosas a la saga de Prof. Layton y una inventiva admirable. Además traía partituras, así que con eso me han ganado y punto
36 reviews1 follower
November 15, 2024
Maybe I should've watched the movie first, but I didn't understand a thing.
Really like the art style tho.
Profile Image for A Fan of Comics .
486 reviews
January 6, 2019
An adorable start!

Not really sure what I was expecting from this book, but it was a good start! There is a set up for two stories. The first one is about Greg, he returns to the unknown again for a while. It feels like a dream and may have even hinted at it just being a dream but it also didn't fully end (more like the episodes, where they just walk into the woods on their next adventure). It was funny! and cute and had some great lines and some great panels.
The second story is about Anna, the woodman's daughter. This one was more serious than the first story and made me a little sad! She is writing a dairy entry and taking about her time without her father. It also gives info on her mother which was neat and the ending was more up lifting then I was expecting, so not too sad.
My complaint, not enough story in one volume. It was a quick, fun read. But I already need more and may just invest in the Hardcore vols because you get more of the issues in them then they you do in the soft cover trades.
Profile Image for Rylie.
305 reviews31 followers
August 16, 2020
This was so whimsical and representative of the series. I like that it clearly takes place sometime after the events of “Over the Garden Wall”, and though it’s not clearly stated, Greg and Wirt have clearly worked through their various issues. It always amazes me at the depth of dialogue that can come out of something created by Cartoon Network. This story is so nostalgic and magical, and I loved getting to follow the Woodsman’s daughter as she eagerly awaits his return. Will definitely be picking up the next volume, as I think I could read about adventures over the garden wall forever.
Profile Image for Laura (ローラ).
237 reviews110 followers
December 22, 2017
I've never seen the animation, so this is my first look at this world, and these characters. Contained are two stories: the first is a frolicking dreamy adventure, and the other is a hauntingly melancholic story. I liked both, but not knowing how these characters intersect or relate to each other made this a confusing curation. The first story was aimed significantly younger and had a light quick pace; the second was aimed slightly older older, and was slower and more densely written. I just didn't feel like they meshed well. I thought the art was fun.
Profile Image for Blake Howard.
6 reviews1 follower
December 12, 2017
Wow, just wow. I was once proud to openly say that Over The Garden Wall was the greatest piece of animation of all time, but now I am proud to say that it's one of the greatest franchises of all time. The first part was a nice trip back to the whimsical world we love, with mostly just Wirt. The second half, the return to the series other half, pure and unrivaled melancholy. I definitely liked the second half better, as it touched on themes that hadn't been in the original series.
Profile Image for Sara Weather.
497 reviews
March 23, 2018
Art: A+
Story: The first half was good but 2nd wasn't bad but maybe dragged a bit. Also, I like that the story always captures the adolescence (obliviousness, surprising insightfulness) of Greg because a lot of stories don't capture youth well. Of course I like the classic fairy tale lore that runs throughout the series.
Profile Image for Elisa H.
427 reviews18 followers
July 10, 2017
The first half is a continuation of the show where Greg and Jason Funderberker the frog go on adventures. The second half is the story of Anna, the woodsman's daughter. Not as good as the show in my opinion but still enjoyable
Profile Image for Kitty.
74 reviews2 followers
July 14, 2020
This was a cute story!

But I didn’t really understand why there where 2 separate story’s in one book. That’s why I give it 2 stars because that just don’t make any sense.

The first story I really liked and really adorable so you definitely need to read that!
Profile Image for Katherine.
111 reviews5 followers
September 11, 2017
Lovely as always. We need more stories like Over the Garden Wall.
Profile Image for thi.
790 reviews80 followers
December 3, 2018
I love them all, the cutest little beans
Profile Image for Bianca.
332 reviews17 followers
June 6, 2019
I’ll read anything about “Over the Garden Wall” because it’s seriously the cutest and best written comics/mini-series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 279 reviews

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