Eisner Award-winning I HATE FAIRYLAND and MIDDLEWEST writer SKOTTIE YOUNG and artist KYLE STRAHM (SPREAD, UNEARTH) come together for an all-new epic fantasy/adventure miniseries!
It’s the first day of Twig’s new job as a journeyer on a JEFF SMITH’s Bone-esque quest to save a The Dark Crystal/Labyrinth-style world. Join our hesitant hero for an inspiring and imaginative tale of hope, heartache, and determination to overcome insurmountable odds!
Skottie Young has been an illustrator and cartoonist for over ten years working for entertainment and publishing companies such Marvel, Warner Bros., Image, Upper Deck, Mattel, and many more.
He is currently illustrating the New York Times Best Selling and Eisner Award Nominated adaptions of L. Frank Baum's OZ novels with writer Eric Shanower. The series has gained acclaim from both fans and critics.
Skottie currently lives in Illinois with his family, Casey, Baxter and their Saint Bernard, Emma.
I have been waiting for this for a long time. My local comic book seller told me that when he first saw this comic, he thought it had been written just for me. As a fan of the 80s film, Labyrinth, he guessed this would be right up my street as there is a cute character on a journey, and a fantastical world with strange creatures. The artwork is absolutely brilliant. The colours, the design, just everything. As the first part of Twig's tale, this is obviously just starting things off, but I am definitely going to be keeping up with him.
Truth be told, I enjoy Skottie Young far more as an artist than I do as a writer, but there has been so much hype about this book that I want to see what it's all about.
This is a gorgeous book with bright vibrant art spread throughout. I feel like the ground work is set for the story & I'm interested to see where it goes.
Skottie Young does not disappoint! And artwork is absolutely stunning. I love the playful banter between Twig and Splat. There is an undercurrent of impending epic adventure a la D&D-feel. There are cooking references and backstory… and, mushrooms! So much to love! Ready for the next installment!
A little slow to start but I am really enjoying seeing the world as Twig goes on his adventures and love that he wanted to be a chef! The end of this issue definitely has me wanting to pick up the next one.
When I first picked up Twig in 2022, it quickly became one of those comics that immediately captured my heart. Everything about it—from the rich, imaginative art style to the character designs that blend whimsy with a touch of nostalgia—felt refreshing. The story is simple yet layered with a vibrant world of possibilities, and I could tell from the start that Twig was going to be a unique journey. The main character, Twig, and his quirky companion, Splat, are instantly endearing. Twig’s small, blue, furry appearance with a single twig on his head and Splat’s slug-squid hybrid form make them the perfect pair for this adventure. Twig’s appearance feels like a nod to characters from beloved childhood stories, but he’s brought to life with a modern twist that is both adorable and unforgettable.
The story opens on a lighthearted note as we join Twig and Splat at the start of Twig’s new job—a seemingly important one involving an ancient quest and a mysterious red jewel. The exact details of this job are a bit fuzzy at first, adding a sense of curiosity and mystery. As readers, we are thrown into this vibrant, “awe-shucks” world filled with anthropomorphized animals, sentient plants, and even talking mountains. Everything is alive, creating a fantastical backdrop that feels enchanted and welcoming, with each entity brimming with personality. This instantly invites us to explore alongside Twig and Splat.
Twig’s mission is to deliver the red jewel (which looks part egg, part gemstone) to a wise figure known as The Pathsayer, who will hopefully reveal its purpose and send Twig on further adventures. But nothing goes quite as planned. Just as the story hints at a deeper quest beyond this initial mission, Twig encounters his first unexpected hurdle, setting up a more significant, potentially epic journey.
Twig is a delight to watch; he’s inquisitive, kind-hearted, and a bit uncertain. His childlike wonder mixed with determination makes him relatable. Right from the start, Twig’s quirky, exaggerated design—reminiscent of characters like a blue Elmo with a dash of Skittermander vibes—captures the spirit of his character. And then there’s Splat, the slime/slug/squid companion with a sarcastic streak. One of my favorite moments is on the second page when Splat dismissively reminds Twig that he’s “not their alarm,” adding a humorous edge that sets the tone for their dynamic. This odd duo is the heart of the story, and their banter is both funny and endearing.
As they journey together, they meet more quirky characters, including Mount Guphin—a sentient mountain with a massive personality to match. One hilarious scene unfolds as Twig and Splat crawl into Guphin’s mouth to retrieve the red jewel lodged in his belly, only to exit through his backside, essentially being “pooped out.” It’s a brilliantly absurd scene that perfectly embodies the comic’s humor. The exaggerated personalities of these characters and their peculiar ways of interacting with the world make each moment memorable.
The world-building in Twig is simply enchanting. The variety of environments Twig and Splat encounter feels like a visual feast, with lush forests, sparkling rivers, and towering mountains, each one more imaginative than the last. The comic leans heavily into a fantasy aesthetic, reminiscent of animated stories from childhood but with a level of detail and color that sets it apart. Each page is a new experience, and the illustrator has created a world that feels alive, detailed, and rich in its diversity of biomes. You can almost feel the textures, from the mossy hills to the crystalline caves.
The style itself is a mix of graphic novel and comic book illustration, combining intricate linework with vibrant colors that are perfectly suited to this fantasy realm. The cartoonish character designs stand out, as they’re detailed yet playful, adding an element of warmth to the story. Every panel is carefully crafted to draw you in, making you want to spend time soaking in each corner of Twig’s world.
Just as Twig and Splat finally make their way to The Pathsayer, they discover a shocking truth—the Pathsayer is dead. The cliffhanger left me stunned, wondering if all their efforts were for nothing. It’s an unexpected twist that redefines the tone of the story, shifting from lighthearted adventure to something more ominous. The Pathsayer’s death raises so many questions. Who or what will guide Twig now? Is the quest even possible without the Pathsayer’s wisdom? This ending left me eager to see what happens next, as Twig and Splat seem to be embarking on an even grander adventure than they’d initially realized.
Twig Issue #1 is a captivating start to what promises to be a charming yet mysterious series. The comic is a delightful blend of humor, adventure, and stunning artistry. The relationship between Twig and Splat is one of the highlights of the issue, full of lighthearted moments that balance the more serious undertones of their quest. Each character feels larger than life, and the world they inhabit is one I’d love to get lost in. The discovery of the Pathsayer’s death adds an unexpected layer of tension, hinting that this whimsical story may take darker turns.
This issue does an amazing job of introducing readers to a new world while leaving them with enough questions to eagerly await the next installment. The extreme world-building and detailed environment are refreshing, and I can’t wait to see where Twig and Splat’s adventure will lead them. Twig feels like it has all the magic and heart of classic fantasy tales, but with a modern twist that makes it feel wholly original. This series is one to watch, and I’m looking forward to following Twig’s journey as he discovers more about himself, his mission, and the incredible world around him.
While the idea of an adorable fantasy creature going on a quest with his friends might feel derivative at first, Skottie Young and Kyle Strahm keep the pages turning with a slew of visually stunning locations and characters. Twig’s journey is important, even if we don’t really know what it is. His father completed before him, and his grandfather before that, and so on. All we know is that if he fails the world will end. The further he goes, the more dangerous it becomes, often resulting in a one-step-forward-two-steps-back situation. Much like a video game, Twig is forced to find items in order to unlock other items, etc, and pick up new companions along the way. But what does it all mean? No spoilers here! At the end I was left with a smile and an a-ha! moment that made the whole book worth it. I received an advance copy of this book for review and found it great for both kids and adults. It releases Nov 15 from Image Comics.
***first time reading at maandag, 13 juni 2022*** The art is gorgeous. It did feel very short though and ended on a mystery. Which isn't my favourite genre. Still I'm interested enough to keep on reading.
***what sucked me in*** "Amazing story line and beautiful and vibrant colors,"
I'm a sucker for gorgeous art (LOW comes to mind) but if the story line is also good: Sign me up! And this was before I saw Skottie Youngs name on it.
I really enjoyed this and cannot wait to get my hands on issue 2. I have 3, and for some reason my lcs didn't give me 2. :( So I'm going to need to try and find it. Anyway, it was a great start to a story and I'm very intrigued. There's a good balance of humor, beautiful art, and story. Can't wait to see how things go for our friend Twig and what kinds of adventures he's about to go on.
I was in The Last Bookstore staring at graphic novels for like an hour and feeling like nothing was grabbing me when I stumbled on this gem. I looked at one page and knew I needed this book immediately. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. I could stare at this book all day, serious!
Love everything by Skottie young. I was introduced with I hate fairyland which I’m currently reading. Looking forward to the next issue of this. Nice little read and I’m utterly interested in this little blue guys adventure.
First off…this is so cute. I love the art. I also love the story. The first issue gave the right amount of set up to kick the story off. I love Twig, but Splat is the sassy best friend we all need. Can’t wait for more!
The artwork is great, the colors are vivid, the story is intriguing, and the panels and speech bubbles are easy to follow. I absolutely adore Splat and I can’t wait to read more of Twig’s adventures.
I went to a local comic store for the first time looking through the aisles and this cover caught my attention immediately! I thought this was such a cute story, and the art is ridiculously amazing.
I find that I just really love Skottie Young. And Kyle's art is vibrant, gorgeous, and so cute. I cannot wait to see where this little fantasy takes us.
We don’t know much besides this cute introduction to twigs world . It’s colourful and has great art and pushes you straight into his journey at the end .
A delightful quest story with sweet and unusual characters. The colorful art is incredible. Every page of this book is a work of art. Lots of fun. Middle schoolers will love it (upper elementary kiddos, too).