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Hilda #2
Hilda and the Midnight Giant
In Hilda and the Midnight Giant, our protagonist finds her world turned upside down as she faces the prospect of leaving her snow-capped birthplace for the hum of the megalopolis, where her mother (an architect) has been offered a prestigious job. During Hilda's daily one-and-a-half hour trek to school she looks for ways to stall her mother's decision. She conspires with the beings of the mystical Blue Forest to delay the inevitable. Will they help or hinder her? More importantly, who is this mysterious Midnight Giant?
This is the first part of the Hildafolk series, a series that follows Hilda on her many adventures and travels through the magical fjords and enchanted mountains of her birthplace as she unravels the mysteries of the supernatural world that surrounds her.
Luke Pearson is a comic book artist and illustrator, author of Hildafolk and Everything We Miss (published by Nobrow Press). Hildafolk, his first book for Nobrow Press, quickly gained him recognition as a leading proponent of the new wave of English cartoonists.
This is the first part of the Hildafolk series, a series that follows Hilda on her many adventures and travels through the magical fjords and enchanted mountains of her birthplace as she unravels the mysteries of the supernatural world that surrounds her.
Luke Pearson is a comic book artist and illustrator, author of Hildafolk and Everything We Miss (published by Nobrow Press). Hildafolk, his first book for Nobrow Press, quickly gained him recognition as a leading proponent of the new wave of English cartoonists.
53 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
28 people are currently reading
2743 people want to read
About the author
Luke Pearson
43 books925 followersLuke Pearson is a British illustrator, cartoonist, and comic book writer best known for the Hilda series of comics for Nobrow Press, and Hilda, the Netflix series based on the comics. He has also storyboarded episodes of the Cartoon Network series Adventure Time, during its fifth and seventh seasons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 569 reviews
May 30, 2017
This was super cute but super short. Looking forward to the other Hilda volumes!
May 24, 2023
Un cómic tierno, divertido y ameno que agradezco a Babelio español y al sello Barbara Fiore Editora que me hayan mandado en una de las últimas ediciones del programa Masa Critica.
Hilda es una niña curiosa y vivaz que vive en una bonita casa en medio de un valle junto a su madre. A su alrededor hay un mundo poblado de bosques habitados por hombres de madera, cielos en los que vuelan las Lobondrinas, rocas que en realidad son trols y diminutas ciudades habitadas por duendecillos invisibles. Un mundo que Hilda descubrirá a lo largo de sus mil y una aventuras.
Me sonaba de haber visto en alguna librería los cómics de Hilda, pero no sabía nada de ellos. Sin embargo, en cuanto le hizo sinopsis, no dude en pedirlo en una de las últimas ediciones de Masa Critica, convencida de que iba a disfrutar su lectura. Y así ha sido. En este volumen nos encontramos con las dos primeras historias de la serie. En la primera, “Hilda y el Troll”, la protagonista se topara con una roca sospechosa durante sus aventuras. Esta historia es bastante sencilla, sirve más bien para introducir al lector en el entrañable mundo en el que Hilda se mueve, donde el folklore nórdico cobra vida. Y también nos ayuda a conocer más a Hilda, una niña cabezota, ingeniosa, inquieta e inconformista, cuyo carácter es muy vivaz y energético. La segunda historia que encontramos en el tomo “Hilda y el gigante de medianoche”, es un poco más complicada, sin ser excesivamente difícil. Aquí, Hilda y su madre tendrá que hacer frente a unos seres que no pueden ver, los cuales estaba obcecados en que tienen que dejar su casa y no paran de complicarles la existencia. Y todo esto, mientras la niña ve de noche una figura más alta que las montañas que, obviamente, no deja de intrigarla.
La aventura, la magia y el folklore pululan a sus anchas en estas historias con fuerte sabor a cuento de hadas. Es una historia tierna que está más enfocada al público infantil. Pero no por ello dejará de gustar más a los lectores más mayores. Las aventuras de Hilda son de los más entrañables, y permiten descubrir la mitología nórdica de una forma dinámica y cercana. Pearson logra el equilibrio perfecto entre folklore e imaginación al introducir criaturas de cuño propio, como las Lobondrinas (seres esponjosos sobre los que Hilda puede viajar y que surcan constantemente los cielos del valle donde vive) o Granizo, el adorable ciervo-zorro que acompaña a la niña en sus viajes. Y además, le da su propio toque a criaturas como los troles y los gigantes. Pero todo esto no quiere decir que el autor no meta pinceladas más ácidas, con comentarios más críticos sobre la vida y la sociedad. Esto le da una historia más enfocad al público infantil, un aire realista que le va muy bien y le da más matices a todo en general. Hilda es una protagonista realmente encantadora y pizpireta a la que le encanta explorar y tiene suficiente astucia para salir airosa ella solita de los mil y un líos en los que se mete, digna heredera de heroínas como Pipi Calzaslargas o la Alicia de Lewis Carrol. Es un carácter con el que los niños se pueden sentir muy identificados, y que se las ingenia para llegar muy bien a ese público.
Y como no podía ser de otra manera, todo esto nos lo trae de la mano Bárbara Fiori Editora en un tomo que simplemente precioso. Como ya mencionado más arriba, el volumen incluye las dos primeras historias de la serie, a las que acompañan una serie de detalles como bocetos, comentarios sobre la mitología nórdica y datos sobre el dibujo y la creación de los cómic. Es una edición muy cuidada, llena de detalles y realmente bonita, en la cual puede lucirse el estilo personal que el autor, Luke Pearson, sabe imprimirle a su trabajo. Su dibujo es bastante personal, aparentemente sencillo, pero con mucha más enjundia de lo que se ve a primera vista, lleno de imágenes visualmente preciosas. Está lleno de detalles que hacen una delicia verlo y leerlo. Y también de mucho colorido, algo que en esta ocasión he disfrutado especialmente, porque personalmente me gusta mucho la combinación de colores que se utilizan tanto para la edición y el cómic como para los dibujos interiores.
En definitiva, un cómic más que recomendable. Se lee muy rápido y se disfruta aún más. No me importa mi vida, seguir leyendo más sobre las aventuras de Hilda y las curiosas criaturas que va conociendo en su día día.
Hilda es una niña curiosa y vivaz que vive en una bonita casa en medio de un valle junto a su madre. A su alrededor hay un mundo poblado de bosques habitados por hombres de madera, cielos en los que vuelan las Lobondrinas, rocas que en realidad son trols y diminutas ciudades habitadas por duendecillos invisibles. Un mundo que Hilda descubrirá a lo largo de sus mil y una aventuras.
Me sonaba de haber visto en alguna librería los cómics de Hilda, pero no sabía nada de ellos. Sin embargo, en cuanto le hizo sinopsis, no dude en pedirlo en una de las últimas ediciones de Masa Critica, convencida de que iba a disfrutar su lectura. Y así ha sido. En este volumen nos encontramos con las dos primeras historias de la serie. En la primera, “Hilda y el Troll”, la protagonista se topara con una roca sospechosa durante sus aventuras. Esta historia es bastante sencilla, sirve más bien para introducir al lector en el entrañable mundo en el que Hilda se mueve, donde el folklore nórdico cobra vida. Y también nos ayuda a conocer más a Hilda, una niña cabezota, ingeniosa, inquieta e inconformista, cuyo carácter es muy vivaz y energético. La segunda historia que encontramos en el tomo “Hilda y el gigante de medianoche”, es un poco más complicada, sin ser excesivamente difícil. Aquí, Hilda y su madre tendrá que hacer frente a unos seres que no pueden ver, los cuales estaba obcecados en que tienen que dejar su casa y no paran de complicarles la existencia. Y todo esto, mientras la niña ve de noche una figura más alta que las montañas que, obviamente, no deja de intrigarla.
La aventura, la magia y el folklore pululan a sus anchas en estas historias con fuerte sabor a cuento de hadas. Es una historia tierna que está más enfocada al público infantil. Pero no por ello dejará de gustar más a los lectores más mayores. Las aventuras de Hilda son de los más entrañables, y permiten descubrir la mitología nórdica de una forma dinámica y cercana. Pearson logra el equilibrio perfecto entre folklore e imaginación al introducir criaturas de cuño propio, como las Lobondrinas (seres esponjosos sobre los que Hilda puede viajar y que surcan constantemente los cielos del valle donde vive) o Granizo, el adorable ciervo-zorro que acompaña a la niña en sus viajes. Y además, le da su propio toque a criaturas como los troles y los gigantes. Pero todo esto no quiere decir que el autor no meta pinceladas más ácidas, con comentarios más críticos sobre la vida y la sociedad. Esto le da una historia más enfocad al público infantil, un aire realista que le va muy bien y le da más matices a todo en general. Hilda es una protagonista realmente encantadora y pizpireta a la que le encanta explorar y tiene suficiente astucia para salir airosa ella solita de los mil y un líos en los que se mete, digna heredera de heroínas como Pipi Calzaslargas o la Alicia de Lewis Carrol. Es un carácter con el que los niños se pueden sentir muy identificados, y que se las ingenia para llegar muy bien a ese público.
Y como no podía ser de otra manera, todo esto nos lo trae de la mano Bárbara Fiori Editora en un tomo que simplemente precioso. Como ya mencionado más arriba, el volumen incluye las dos primeras historias de la serie, a las que acompañan una serie de detalles como bocetos, comentarios sobre la mitología nórdica y datos sobre el dibujo y la creación de los cómic. Es una edición muy cuidada, llena de detalles y realmente bonita, en la cual puede lucirse el estilo personal que el autor, Luke Pearson, sabe imprimirle a su trabajo. Su dibujo es bastante personal, aparentemente sencillo, pero con mucha más enjundia de lo que se ve a primera vista, lleno de imágenes visualmente preciosas. Está lleno de detalles que hacen una delicia verlo y leerlo. Y también de mucho colorido, algo que en esta ocasión he disfrutado especialmente, porque personalmente me gusta mucho la combinación de colores que se utilizan tanto para la edición y el cómic como para los dibujos interiores.
En definitiva, un cómic más que recomendable. Se lee muy rápido y se disfruta aún más. No me importa mi vida, seguir leyendo más sobre las aventuras de Hilda y las curiosas criaturas que va conociendo en su día día.
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April 9, 2022Drugi deo serijala o Hildi je dobar primer skokovitog razvoja serijala tj. autora jer je i nešto ambiciozniji i mnogo ozbiljniji - uspešnije je strašan, još uvrnutije maštovit, uspešno dirljiv, a kraj u čije detalje neću zalaziti dovoljno je bolan I OTVOREN da se iskreno nadam da će treći i četvrti deo da se kod nas pojave uskoro.
February 26, 2017
Another killer book by Luke Pearson. The Hilda series might be my favorite kids series (not that I read enough of them to really know). At times I felt like I was reading the modern Tintin - the adventerousness, the great artwork, and the large format with lots of panels. There are definite Spirted Away vibes present with the numerous strange situations and characters Hilda meets in the story.
I loved the idea of Hilda 'ignoring' the elves, just as the giants ignore humans. All three species live in the same area, but the larger species are ignorant of the smaller... the smaller are usually upset with the big species for doing something the big species considers innocous. I'm not sure what Pearson was trying to draw analogies or not.
I loved the idea of Hilda 'ignoring' the elves, just as the giants ignore humans. All three species live in the same area, but the larger species are ignorant of the smaller... the smaller are usually upset with the big species for doing something the big species considers innocous. I'm not sure what Pearson was trying to draw analogies or not.
February 15, 2013
A graceful, surefooted, graphically beautiful fantasy comic, blending Pearson's Chris Ware/Kevin Huizenga-like formal interests with an easy, assured evocation of a quietly fantastic world. Sly, charming, full of small surprises, and lovingly cartooned, with terrific body language and some startling pages, Hilda is the real deal: a confection with purpose. Subtle moral insights come gift-wrapped in deadpan absurdities; Gulliverian problems of scale (little people, big people, really big people) are cleverly worked out; and the design, production values, and color palette are mesmerizing. In short, a wonderful object and a wonderful story.
April 3, 2018
Amorzinho em forma de livro!
September 11, 2013
Casually picked this up off the library shelf and read a blurb on the back which states that author/artist Luke Pearson channels Tove Jansson and Hayao Miyazaki...Sold. It is lovely. The resident 10 year-old picked up the sequel (which I'd had the foresight to check out at the same time) the moment he finished. Myself, I'd rather let my thoughts linger with this one before moving on. My only niggling complaint is that for such a physically large book, it's a super quick read, and so one should probably make an effort to savor it as slowly as possible.
June 28, 2016
After reading and enjoying the first book in the Hilda children's graphic novel series, I grabbed the second volume right away. I was pleased to see this one is twice as long as the first book. Still only 40 pages, but at least there's a bit more content here. While I didn't like the story quite as much as the first one, it's still very cute and quirky. Recommended!
May 17, 2012
Hilda and her mother live in a cottage in the middle of an empty valley - or at least they think it's empty. They begin receiving tiny letters from elves who say that the valley is theirs, so Hilda takes it upon herself to seek them out and find a solution to their co-existence. Oh, and there's a giant that only comes out at night and only Hilda can see.
Luke Pearson goes all Miyazaki in this kids story with lots of fantastical creatures and quests with a little girl as hero. It's a charming and pleasant read, aimed at people much younger than myself (I'd say around 7/8 years old), and much less morose than his last book "Everything We Miss" which was definitely not a kids book. That said, the book plays along similar lines about the details in our lives that we don't see for whatever reason, and there is an interesting idea in this book about world perspective with the tiny elves, the large Hilda, and the even larger Giant who makes Hilda look tiny as the examples.
Well written and drawn in a style that reminded me of Chris Ware/Ivan Brunetti, though not nearly as complex as either, "Hilda and the Midnight Giant" is a great kids comic from a talented young artist whose work shows all the signs of bigger and better projects in the future.
Luke Pearson goes all Miyazaki in this kids story with lots of fantastical creatures and quests with a little girl as hero. It's a charming and pleasant read, aimed at people much younger than myself (I'd say around 7/8 years old), and much less morose than his last book "Everything We Miss" which was definitely not a kids book. That said, the book plays along similar lines about the details in our lives that we don't see for whatever reason, and there is an interesting idea in this book about world perspective with the tiny elves, the large Hilda, and the even larger Giant who makes Hilda look tiny as the examples.
Well written and drawn in a style that reminded me of Chris Ware/Ivan Brunetti, though not nearly as complex as either, "Hilda and the Midnight Giant" is a great kids comic from a talented young artist whose work shows all the signs of bigger and better projects in the future.
November 16, 2018
Милішим за цей комікс може бути тільки однойменний мультик.
June 13, 2019
Some nasty little elves are trying to force Hilda and her mom from their beloved home. Can Hilda find a way to stop them whilst simultaneously solving the mystery of a strange giant who appears only at night? You're gonna have to read it for yourself to find out.
Pearson's artwork is superb: dark, yet with a wondrous Miyazaki-feel to it.
Pearson's artwork is superb: dark, yet with a wondrous Miyazaki-feel to it.
January 1, 2025
I love Jørgen! He waited two thousand years for his friend, even though the mountains shifted, the stars changed, and all the other giants left...he still waited for her! 🥹
February 5, 2017
Pearson's second venture feels far more like a story than his first venture. In Hilda, it felt as if he had the characters and the world but was tentative in letting loose with either: it was more of a light introduction. Hilda and the Midnight Giant is Pearson taking that next step. With the landscape set alongside Hilda and her mother, he found room to expand in all elements of his storytelling.
There is more text here (which works for the better) and there is a sense of tension now between mum and Hilda as they argue over moving from the valley into the local town. Hilda is mortified by the idea and both characters, in a way, reminded me of My Name Is Mina. Without wanting to give away any spoilers, I did like the play on giants, size and Hilda's utterly naturalistic affinity for this wonderful, magical world which grows annually within Pearson's mind.
This would be a gorgeous gift book for any child who can read fluently or has someone to share the story with. I'd also love to see the graphic novels in classrooms too.
There is more text here (which works for the better) and there is a sense of tension now between mum and Hilda as they argue over moving from the valley into the local town. Hilda is mortified by the idea and both characters, in a way, reminded me of My Name Is Mina. Without wanting to give away any spoilers, I did like the play on giants, size and Hilda's utterly naturalistic affinity for this wonderful, magical world which grows annually within Pearson's mind.
This would be a gorgeous gift book for any child who can read fluently or has someone to share the story with. I'd also love to see the graphic novels in classrooms too.
July 1, 2019
Trvalo mi to niekoľko čítaní a aj tak som si až pri druhej časti uvedomil, o čom vlastne Hilda je, že to nie je len šbnutý príbeh pojašenej modrovlasej dievčiny. Je tam toľko narážok na diverzitu, váženie si minulosti, rozdielnosti pováh a osobností a všetkého možného. Asi sa pustím znova do jednotky, aby som odhalil ďalšiu vrstvu príbehu. Nečakane veľmi dobré.
July 4, 2015
Beautiful little book. Quirky critters, delightful colors, great, layered story. I am looking forward to reading again and perhaps will write a bit more here. I highly recommend.
December 11, 2018
Another wonderful outing for Hilda. The artwork in service of good storytelling is gorgeous. There are plenty of great jokes in a short space of time and things that happen have real consequences for our adventurer.
I already have the next two in the series and I'm going to resist reading them all at once so I have something to look forward to.
I already have the next two in the series and I'm going to resist reading them all at once so I have something to look forward to.
December 31, 2019
Sneaky reads of books you're supposed to be wrapping are the best reads aren't they?
October 6, 2018
Cute and while the drawing style isn't as much to my liking as in the other books, I still enjoy the captivating combination of fantastic creatures that are very real not only to Hilda but her mother as well. I did miss the wooden man and the invisible miniature elves were cute but not as interesting a concept. Also wish it had gone just a little bit more in detail about co-existence between the elf civilization and Hilda's home, since it's briefly mentioned with the relationship between giants and humans.
Second read:
Admittedly I skimmed this, as I’ve just started the Hilda Netflix series and they’ve pretty much got everything in it. But it is nice to see the evolution of drawing style, and how the show does stick to the artist’s later style.
Second read:
Admittedly I skimmed this, as I’ve just started the Hilda Netflix series and they’ve pretty much got everything in it. But it is nice to see the evolution of drawing style, and how the show does stick to the artist’s later style.
August 28, 2015
I love how well-developed this world is. Things that were passing mentions in the first book reappear here.
This feels reassuring - like Pearson has mapped this world out, and isn't just randomly throwing in things he thinks are cool.
Like the first one, Hildafolk, totally beautiful, thoughtful, and slightly offcenter.
Srsly tempted to read more than two of these. And maybe add them to my personal collection.
This feels reassuring - like Pearson has mapped this world out, and isn't just randomly throwing in things he thinks are cool.
Like the first one, Hildafolk, totally beautiful, thoughtful, and slightly offcenter.
Srsly tempted to read more than two of these. And maybe add them to my personal collection.
March 21, 2016
Wonderful second book in this original fairy tale series. Hilda finds out her forest is inhabited by both little folk and giants putting herself in the perspective of both as well. While trying to solve the problem she is causing the little people who have let themselves become visible to her she meets the last of the old giants who has come looking for his friend who had promised to meet him here four thousand years ago. Wonderful characters and story. A pure delight to read! An interesting end which makes us wonder what is in store for Hilda and her mother in the next book.
April 11, 2017
Fofíssimo!!! Traço incrivelmente lindo!
October 24, 2019
Hildy nikdy nie je veľa, práve naopak. Príbehy tohto malého modrovlasého dievčatka by som mohla čítať neustále. :)
July 15, 2021
A wonderful little children’s story about the importance of the little and the big things in the world :)
February 26, 2025
AAAAAAHHHH it's like the cartoon 😭 I love Hilda sm
January 1, 2025
This was fantastic! I can't wait to see the rest of Hilda's journey.
November 15, 2012
Hilda and her mother live in the wilderness in a tiny house- that just so happens to be surrounded by the houses of tiny, invisible elves. These elves want Hilda and her mother to leave this land for good. Hilda sets out to convince the elves to let her stay, and encounters a mysterious giant along her journey.
These drawings, and the imaginative characters (especially the flying furballs that were migrating) seemed very reminiscent of Miyazaki- especially in Princess Mononoke. Slightly less weird characters and creatures, I think, but still along the same line of imagination. Hilda is strangely drawn- not a cute little girl, but not an annoying one either. She has independence and strong will, and yet can adapt and choose carefully. I like her as a main character.
As far as the giants go, I think they are adorable. I can absolutely see how this artist's imagination works- he is the same author/illustrator who did the Johnny Boo series. And I'm thinking of the Ice Cream Monster with the long skinny arms and tall body-- he is very much like the giant in this story. And yet I'm not mad at the lack of creativity... rather, I think Luke Pearson has improved upon the Johnny Boo series for children into a slightly more mature story for middle/young adults. The artwork is so distinguishable and distinct- I can't believe I didn't notice it as soon as I picked up the novel.
All in all, I enjoyed this story. I will recommend this book to others.
These drawings, and the imaginative characters (especially the flying furballs that were migrating) seemed very reminiscent of Miyazaki- especially in Princess Mononoke. Slightly less weird characters and creatures, I think, but still along the same line of imagination. Hilda is strangely drawn- not a cute little girl, but not an annoying one either. She has independence and strong will, and yet can adapt and choose carefully. I like her as a main character.
As far as the giants go, I think they are adorable. I can absolutely see how this artist's imagination works- he is the same author/illustrator who did the Johnny Boo series. And I'm thinking of the Ice Cream Monster with the long skinny arms and tall body-- he is very much like the giant in this story. And yet I'm not mad at the lack of creativity... rather, I think Luke Pearson has improved upon the Johnny Boo series for children into a slightly more mature story for middle/young adults. The artwork is so distinguishable and distinct- I can't believe I didn't notice it as soon as I picked up the novel.
All in all, I enjoyed this story. I will recommend this book to others.
March 25, 2013
Hilda and her mom live in a lovely little place that is quiet and isolated. They enjoy being in their little valley that has been in the family for generations. However, someone doesn’t want them there. In fact, they keep getting small-sized letters warning them to move. But Hilda doesn’t want to move. Neither does her mother. So they stay. Then they are attacked. But they can’t see who is attacking them.
Later one invisible elf decides to let Hilda in on a secret. There is a whole country of elves who live in the same valley and who are tired of Hilda and her mom stepping on their houses. (Even though since they can’t see them they aren’t really doing any damage.) So this elf gives Hilda the paperwork that will allow her to see the elves. And her eyes are sure opened. As Hilda tries to figure out a way for the elves and her family to live peacefully as neighbors, Hilda realizes that they aren’t the only ones around who she didn’t know about. There is a mysterious giant that comes every midnight. Hilda doesn’t know who he is or what he wants, but she is determined to find out.
This is a fun story about magical beings and the complications that come when living among them. It is also about the determination of one little girl who wants to be happy and wants those around her to be happy. Those kids who enjoy reading about magical creatures finding their way to your home life will enjoy this book.
Later one invisible elf decides to let Hilda in on a secret. There is a whole country of elves who live in the same valley and who are tired of Hilda and her mom stepping on their houses. (Even though since they can’t see them they aren’t really doing any damage.) So this elf gives Hilda the paperwork that will allow her to see the elves. And her eyes are sure opened. As Hilda tries to figure out a way for the elves and her family to live peacefully as neighbors, Hilda realizes that they aren’t the only ones around who she didn’t know about. There is a mysterious giant that comes every midnight. Hilda doesn’t know who he is or what he wants, but she is determined to find out.
This is a fun story about magical beings and the complications that come when living among them. It is also about the determination of one little girl who wants to be happy and wants those around her to be happy. Those kids who enjoy reading about magical creatures finding their way to your home life will enjoy this book.
August 14, 2016
(3.5 stars really.)
I liked this second "Hilda" book more than the first: the art is as whimsical and gorgeous as it was in the first book, and there's a bit more of a story. Just after the book opens, Hilda and her mom hear a knock on their door: but when Hilda opens it, no one's there. Hilda finds a tiny envelope on the grass outside: it's the latest in a series of threatening letters (all equally tiny). The letters, all of which are from local elves (who are invisible to Hilda and her mom) all say that Hilda and her mom have to leave their home. But things quickly escalate after the arrival of this letter: stones come through the windows, and the elves announce that Hilda and her mom are being forcibly evicted. Hilda manages to prevent that from happening, but her mom suggests that maybe they should move to town anyway: it'd be better for her career, and maybe better for Hilda, too. Hilda's having none of it, and her mom agrees that if she can get the elves to let them stay without further harassment, then they can stay.
Meanwhile, the elves aren't the only fantastical creatures around: late at night, Hilda keeps seeing a giant who's unfathomably enormous, mountain-sized. Size is relative, of course: Hilda's as much of a giant to the elves as this giant is to her, and the idea that we're all going about our lives, possibly oblivious to/overlooking others around us, gets played with in humorous and satisfying ways.
I liked this second "Hilda" book more than the first: the art is as whimsical and gorgeous as it was in the first book, and there's a bit more of a story. Just after the book opens, Hilda and her mom hear a knock on their door: but when Hilda opens it, no one's there. Hilda finds a tiny envelope on the grass outside: it's the latest in a series of threatening letters (all equally tiny). The letters, all of which are from local elves (who are invisible to Hilda and her mom) all say that Hilda and her mom have to leave their home. But things quickly escalate after the arrival of this letter: stones come through the windows, and the elves announce that Hilda and her mom are being forcibly evicted. Hilda manages to prevent that from happening, but her mom suggests that maybe they should move to town anyway: it'd be better for her career, and maybe better for Hilda, too. Hilda's having none of it, and her mom agrees that if she can get the elves to let them stay without further harassment, then they can stay.
Meanwhile, the elves aren't the only fantastical creatures around: late at night, Hilda keeps seeing a giant who's unfathomably enormous, mountain-sized. Size is relative, of course: Hilda's as much of a giant to the elves as this giant is to her, and the idea that we're all going about our lives, possibly oblivious to/overlooking others around us, gets played with in humorous and satisfying ways.
March 4, 2012
Luke Pearson expands on the world he introduced in 2010's short intro Hildafolk. This first full Hilda adventure teems with fun new creatures and characters, and is gently plotted in a way that recalls Tove Jansson's best Moomin strip stories. Luke's art now delights in this wild natural world and breaks out into some extra-impressive layout every couple of pages. I'm looking forward to more of this series, and more comics in general that hit this tone.
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