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Clyde
An all-new original graphic novel by the author of The New York Times-bestselling series Dear Dumb Diary.
Dog Man author Dav Pilkey says: "Jim Benton is a comic genius and a brilliant cartoonist!"
When Clyde the bear decides to ditch his safe and peaceful life in Cubville and head off for the mean streets of Grizzly City he learns, with the help of a reformed juvenile delinquent butterfly, the Bad Life isn't always so great, and there's something to be said for helping your friends and family even though that really does kind of stink a little.
Dog Man author Dav Pilkey says: "Jim Benton is a comic genius and a brilliant cartoonist!"
When Clyde the bear decides to ditch his safe and peaceful life in Cubville and head off for the mean streets of Grizzly City he learns, with the help of a reformed juvenile delinquent butterfly, the Bad Life isn't always so great, and there's something to be said for helping your friends and family even though that really does kind of stink a little.
104 pages, Paperback
Published April 9, 2019
About the author
Jim Benton
312 books620 followersBenton began his career in a custom design t-shirt shop where he started designing his own characters. At the same time, Jim did illustrations and artwork for magazines and newspapers. People magazine named him "the most visible cartoonist in America" .
Benton also created greeting cards and worked in the magazine and publishing industry. In 1998, his SpyDogs characters became an animated series, The Secret Files of the Spy Dogs, that aired on Fox Kids. Licensing his own creations brought them widespread attention on products, such as It's Happy Bunny, The Misters, Just Jimmy and more.
Benton currently lives in Michigan, where he operates out of his own studio.
Benton also created greeting cards and worked in the magazine and publishing industry. In 1998, his SpyDogs characters became an animated series, The Secret Files of the Spy Dogs, that aired on Fox Kids. Licensing his own creations brought them widespread attention on products, such as It's Happy Bunny, The Misters, Just Jimmy and more.
Benton currently lives in Michigan, where he operates out of his own studio.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
January 3, 2020
Dav Pilkey (Captain Underpants), James Kochalka (Johnny Boo) territory. Jim Benton (Dear Dumb Diary). It was sitting around, I wanted to take a break from reading Serious Literature, and it took me away for roughly 15 minutes. It was fine. I thought my reasons for reading it, random, why not, might have been close to why he did the comic, though he got paid more, I bet. I mean, I gotta make something today! Why not this?!
Clyde is a bear cub who wants to be BAD, leave Cubville and move to Grizzly City, but in the process he gets beat up on his bully path by a butterfly who for some reason seems attracted to him and because she is a reformed juvenile delinquent, commits to helping him to. . not being a bully anymore by putting him in the hospital!? Had this anti-bully, be a good guy feel to it til the butterfly beats him up, and we are then off the reform rails.
The funniest page (for me) of the comic:
“Is it weird my grandmother is a turtle?
“I wasn’t always a turtle. I used to be a waitress.”
Clyde throws his mother in a lake where the fish put her in fish prison, and so on. Okay. He gets involved in freeing his mom and others imprisoned there, is suddenly seen as a good guy. Okay. Just okay. Really good and colorfully attractive cartooning, I’ll give him that. Silly, dumb, non-sensical, perfect for maybe snickering, needs-their-noses-wiped fourth graders? Plenty of fart and drooling humor for that crowd (and you, I can see you considering, you lifelong wannabe be Bad Kid)!
Clyde is a bear cub who wants to be BAD, leave Cubville and move to Grizzly City, but in the process he gets beat up on his bully path by a butterfly who for some reason seems attracted to him and because she is a reformed juvenile delinquent, commits to helping him to. . not being a bully anymore by putting him in the hospital!? Had this anti-bully, be a good guy feel to it til the butterfly beats him up, and we are then off the reform rails.
The funniest page (for me) of the comic:
“Is it weird my grandmother is a turtle?
“I wasn’t always a turtle. I used to be a waitress.”
Clyde throws his mother in a lake where the fish put her in fish prison, and so on. Okay. He gets involved in freeing his mom and others imprisoned there, is suddenly seen as a good guy. Okay. Just okay. Really good and colorfully attractive cartooning, I’ll give him that. Silly, dumb, non-sensical, perfect for maybe snickering, needs-their-noses-wiped fourth graders? Plenty of fart and drooling humor for that crowd (and you, I can see you considering, you lifelong wannabe be Bad Kid)!
August 27, 2019
Hilarious book about a young bear deciding to be bad and his journey from throwing his grandma into a lake and the repercussions of his choices.
It made me wonder if it would be useful for young people to explore this topic.
It made me wonder if it would be useful for young people to explore this topic.
May 9, 2019
Main audience probably a bit younger than I usually read, but suitable for all ages. There are some interesting subtleties to the story -- particularly in the relationships between the characters -- and some mildly surrealistic aspects. Artwork is very effective, and I particularly like the use of color. A quick read, for an old fart like me, but a fun one!
May 4, 2019
"I'm not calling a cop... He'd probably arrest me. For being super cool without a license"(page 27).When I was younger, I loved the Dear Dumb Diary books, so I was super excited to read this from the same author. This book was so stupid in the best way possible. I love the cute artwork, the origin story of an unexpected character's former life of crime, and little got-a-bad-attitude-need-to-take-a-nap-with-his-Sharpie-marker-eyebrows-self Clyde. Also, the Granny Turtle is so adorable.
The humor's really funny and quirky, and I think it's appealing to both kids and adults. Now, Clyde had a terribly mean mouth and but he's a fun character nevertheless.
If you want a quick, fun read around 10 minutes, then I recommend this book. Give me a sequel!
4.5
November 11, 2019
I shared this with my ten-year-old son after I finished reading it. He's still at that age where he is sweet and lovable, but I know that won't last long, as exposure to TV, movies, video games, and rotten little friends and classmates wears away at him and makes him want to be...."BAD".
Being bad is the goal of Clyde, the titular bear cub in Jim Benton's original graphic novel. Clyde decides that his best bet for living a bad life is to relocate from calm, peaceful Cubville to crime-ridden Grizzly City. Along the way he meets a young butterfly who, as a reformed juvenile delinquent, tries to set Clyde back on the right path.
I thought that Jim Benton did a nice job with this book. The characters are memorable, the art is cute, and the jokes all hit their mark. My son enjoyed the book as well, and hopefully it left a mark on him.
Yoe Books supplied a review copy.
Being bad is the goal of Clyde, the titular bear cub in Jim Benton's original graphic novel. Clyde decides that his best bet for living a bad life is to relocate from calm, peaceful Cubville to crime-ridden Grizzly City. Along the way he meets a young butterfly who, as a reformed juvenile delinquent, tries to set Clyde back on the right path.
I thought that Jim Benton did a nice job with this book. The characters are memorable, the art is cute, and the jokes all hit their mark. My son enjoyed the book as well, and hopefully it left a mark on him.
Yoe Books supplied a review copy.
January 21, 2020
Ok--I keep hooting with glee in my office at the library as I read this. Oh Jim Benton--you are tops!
This is funny, funny, funny and will have mass appeal to tweens, especially boys, and anyone who likes obnoxious characters who do outrageous things. Yes Please!
This is funny, funny, funny and will have mass appeal to tweens, especially boys, and anyone who likes obnoxious characters who do outrageous things. Yes Please!
July 5, 2019
Holy crap! This book was written for me! Ridiculous humor and absurd situations. Loved it!
August 3, 2019
i'm not saying this cured my anxiety disorder or anything, but it serves as the best medicine after an attack. laughing for a good fifteen minutes makes anyone feel alive.
December 19, 2019
I liked this better than Catwad. A little more restrained but with plenty of fart humor for his fans.
January 23, 2020
This was such a cute and funny graphic novel! I loved it!
February 26, 2020
2.5 ⭐️
It was pretty weird and didn’t really have much a conclusion but it was weird in a fun way?
It was pretty weird and didn’t really have much a conclusion but it was weird in a fun way?
May 4, 2020
If I had read this alone I probably would have disliked it, but I read it aloud to my two kids and we were all in stitches. Firmly based in elementary school humor. There is farting and boogers.
May 1, 2019
Comic Crush Saturday: May 18, 2019
Featured Book of the Week
Review
I laughed. I aww’d. Clyde wants so badly to be bad but when he’s humbled by a sweet butterfly, he starts to examine his worldview.
We are living in a time when rebellion should be celebrated. Sometimes rebellion can come across as aggressive or angry, especially for parents of young adults and youth. Clyde tells the audience he's "bad to the bone. Actually, deeper than the bone. I'm bad down to my red blood cells, man." But does that mean he's unloveable? Or that he can't give love back?
Clyde explores being "unlikeable" alongside humor, bright art, and a reformed juvenile delinquent butterfly named Mellisa Sue!
I would buy this for every kid (and grown up!) in my life!
What We Can't Wait For
We will read anything by Tillie but this one just sounds SO RIGHT for the current world.
Best News of the Week
One of my local schools is won an Eisner grant! So cool!
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Hayward Public Library (@haywardlibrary) on May 8, 2019 at 4:00pm PDT
Some of my fav creators started teasing collabs - turns out Marvel is doing it big for their 80th birthday!
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Marvel Entertainment (@marvel) on May 10, 2019 at 2:40pm PDT
We are so blessed to have Kevin Wada in our lives to draw Angel like this. Bless.
DID SOMEONE SAY R.L. STINE COMIC BOOK? And Boom! Studios! Dream mashup.
If you haven't been paying attention, @RL_Stine has a new series from @boomstudios hitting comic book stores on the 28th of August!Art by @kickingshoes and a cover by @TotinoTedesco! pic.twitter.com/js8N5QJeyR— Big Bang Comics (@TheBigBang_) May 12, 2019
ICYMI at YallWest. I am so grateful comics were added to YW!
The #WomenOfMarvel assemble to take on @YALLWEST, as they host the festival's Storymakers panel! Listen to the podcast episode now: https://t.co/kReWy1Q4nS #YALLWEST— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) May 17, 2019
This review was originally posted on BookCrushin
June 17, 2019
Read even more book reviews at: https://www.lifeofafemalebibliophile.com
I was so excited to read this because I enjoyed some of Benton’s previous works! The main character of this story is Clyde who is trying so desperately to prove that is bad to his friends, family, and anyone he meets. To prove this goes on a journey to Grizzly City to show off his tough side.
I loved this book so much! It was short and sweet, but such a page turner. It kept the reader engrossed with colorful illustrations, fun characters, and lots of humor (I laughed constantly throughout the whole book).
Most importantly it teaches an important message to young readers about being yourself and being kind to others. Clyde’s journey is not only interesting, but the people he runs into make great teaching points for the overall theme of the story. Each character’s personality added to the story; my favorite being Melissa (the butterfly) because she could be sassy and sweet!
Clyde is geared towards a younger audience, but can be enjoyed by all ages! I highly recommend this graphic novel!
FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I was so excited to read this because I enjoyed some of Benton’s previous works! The main character of this story is Clyde who is trying so desperately to prove that is bad to his friends, family, and anyone he meets. To prove this goes on a journey to Grizzly City to show off his tough side.
I loved this book so much! It was short and sweet, but such a page turner. It kept the reader engrossed with colorful illustrations, fun characters, and lots of humor (I laughed constantly throughout the whole book).
Most importantly it teaches an important message to young readers about being yourself and being kind to others. Clyde’s journey is not only interesting, but the people he runs into make great teaching points for the overall theme of the story. Each character’s personality added to the story; my favorite being Melissa (the butterfly) because she could be sassy and sweet!
Clyde is geared towards a younger audience, but can be enjoyed by all ages! I highly recommend this graphic novel!
FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
June 4, 2019
The new Jim Benton graphic novel Clyde is HILARIOUS! Watching this adorable bear (whose grandmother is a turtle for some reason!) trying to be bad is the most fun thing ever! I especially loved his butterfly friend Melissa Sue, who has her own criminal past as a caterpillar!!! She helps Clyde learn that being a good friend and helping others is fun too! There is just no one as funny as Jim Benton! Another hit from YOE BOOKS!
April 20, 2019
it's got that Adventure Time art and humor aesthetic going for it, enjoyed it quite a bit -- also, it's all-ages safe, kids'll get a kick out of it I feel
May 10, 2019
This book is hilarious!!! I could not stop laughing!
May 16, 2019
Super cute and silly. I could see this as a cartoon series.
December 30, 2019
Winter break bookaday #14. Such a dark, funny “bad guy gone good, kinda” story.
May 17, 2020
Straight Dick
Clyde is such a massive jerk, and that’s why we love him. Funny and a good lesson to boot. Never change. Not for anyone. Not for any reason.
Clyde is such a massive jerk, and that’s why we love him. Funny and a good lesson to boot. Never change. Not for anyone. Not for any reason.
July 19, 2020
I was loving the first few pages of this, but Clyde continued to be a severe jerk and that grew tiresome by the end.
June 7, 2021
Short and funny. Chuckled a few times.
February 3, 2020
Uh, okay. This was a weird comic. It was too edgy to me to be really funny. Like assholes can and sometimes are hilarious, but this just didn't do it for me, folks.
January 5, 2020
Clyde is ONE. BAD. BEAR. No, really...he's bad to the bone, and there's nothing you can do about it. He mouths off to moths (who aren't ACTUALLY moths), hurls his grandmother in the pond (she's a turtle; she'll be fine), threatens to do bodily harm with pine cones...and then gets promptly shown what for with a pine cone by a butterfly (hence that "not a moth" comment from earlier). Yes, Clyde is one bad bear, but what we take away from this "charming" story of unusual friendship, wanting to be the baddest of the bad, and getting out of small town life to conquer the big bad city, is that being the biggest, meanest, baddest creature in the land is all relative. You can claim the title as long as you want, but there's always gonna be someone bigger, and badder that eventually comes along to knock you off your throne...best to have a few good friends by your side to lighten the fall... or not. I mean, this IS Clyde we're talking about and he was beaten up by a BUTTERFLY for crying out loud! A great pick for fans of the author's HAPPY BUNNY creation.
November 11, 2019
So funny and silly and dark. Share it with THOSE kids.
November 16, 2019
The full on absurdity of this book charmed my socks off! The very concept of fish jail, the fact that Clyde got beaten up by a butterfly, the mix up at the hospital with the pine cone ("you are a terrible duck!" "I should call a cop!"). I could go on and on but I don't want to spoil everything. If you like funny books with quirky characters pick this thing up!
November 23, 2023
Clyde the ornery bear is determined to be a "bad guy" and move to Grizzly City but date, and a feisty butterfly named Melissa, have other plans.
An absolutely ridiculous and hilarious graphic narrative wherein Clyde has to decide whether to become good at being bad or accept that even though he may currently be bad at being good, it's worth trying anyway because it's the right thing to do.
Although on the surface Clyde is hardly a role model, there are notes
of The Infamous Ratsos (two rat siblings try out being toughs as a way of dealing with grief and inadvertently keep stumbling into doing good deeds) and Louis Sachar 's There's a Girl in the Boys Bathroom ("bully" Bradley who is actually an imaginative and lonely kid, changes his internal narrative to find redemption).
Fans of Dav Pilkey and Adventure Time will enjoy this.
An absolutely ridiculous and hilarious graphic narrative wherein Clyde has to decide whether to become good at being bad or accept that even though he may currently be bad at being good, it's worth trying anyway because it's the right thing to do.
Although on the surface Clyde is hardly a role model, there are notes
of The Infamous Ratsos (two rat siblings try out being toughs as a way of dealing with grief and inadvertently keep stumbling into doing good deeds) and Louis Sachar 's There's a Girl in the Boys Bathroom ("bully" Bradley who is actually an imaginative and lonely kid, changes his internal narrative to find redemption).
Fans of Dav Pilkey and Adventure Time will enjoy this.
November 27, 2025
Review to be added to Amazon UK and US on 17 March 2026 - publication day!
I thought that this was a really good book and fun story.
It has some great illustration that really help bring the story to life - they are nice and bright, work brilliantly with the text, which is easy to read and is clear of the illustrations too - quite often I see kids books where the writing is over an illustration and it isn't as standout, my daughter struggles with her sight at times so this was perfect for her.
We read the book together and it was great to talk about the choices made and what did she think that he ought to do - a good book with some positive messages about potential repercussions for your actions and choices which is great for primary school kids.
It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!
I thought that this was a really good book and fun story.
It has some great illustration that really help bring the story to life - they are nice and bright, work brilliantly with the text, which is easy to read and is clear of the illustrations too - quite often I see kids books where the writing is over an illustration and it isn't as standout, my daughter struggles with her sight at times so this was perfect for her.
We read the book together and it was great to talk about the choices made and what did she think that he ought to do - a good book with some positive messages about potential repercussions for your actions and choices which is great for primary school kids.
It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Clyde the bad bear wants to be an even badder bear, in Grizzly City, and so tries to go there and prove how bad he is. There's only so many times you can throw things, like your gran, at fish, after all. With a ridiculous cast of other animal characters we see what happens, in this lively and quickly-read comic. It's a book that almost makes a virtue of how unsubtle it is with its morals – that for all the badness we can gather there will always be someone worse, that there's little like family, and that it's easy to redeem ourselves. It does well with a simple, quick design, too, and while no classic this is perfectly fine for a humorous, fun few minutes. Plus it highlights the virtues of a good Thermos.
April 14, 2026
Clyde is a fun, quirky, and surprisingly thoughtful graphic novel that blends humor with a meaningful message about choices and friendship. Jim Benton creates a story that feels lighthearted on the surface but carries a deeper lesson underneath.
Clyde’s journey from a peaceful life to the chaos of Grizzly City is both entertaining and relatable. The idea of chasing something exciting only to realize it’s not what you expected adds a clever and humorous twist to the story.
The characters bring a lot of charm, especially with the unexpected and creative details that make the world feel unique. At the same time, the story emphasizes the importance of loyalty, connection, and appreciating the people around you.
A fun and engaging read that delivers both laughs and a meaningful takeaway.
Clyde’s journey from a peaceful life to the chaos of Grizzly City is both entertaining and relatable. The idea of chasing something exciting only to realize it’s not what you expected adds a clever and humorous twist to the story.
The characters bring a lot of charm, especially with the unexpected and creative details that make the world feel unique. At the same time, the story emphasizes the importance of loyalty, connection, and appreciating the people around you.
A fun and engaging read that delivers both laughs and a meaningful takeaway.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews