Beanworld, Vol. 2: A Gift Comes!

Beanworld #2

by Larry Marder

A Gift Comes is jam-packed with new characters and monumental developments in the evolving Beanworld culture. It kicks off with the birth of the next generation of Beans: the baby Pod'l'pool Cuties. It chronicles the discombobulation of Mr. Spook's fork by greedy Goofy Service Jerks. Meet Mr. Teach'm, who raised Mr. Spook on a cloud. See the crazy breakout origin of Heyoka, Beanworld's upside-down-and-backwards Bean. Read how Professor Garbanzo first discovered the Four Realities and much, much more The Beanworld is a self-contained, weird fantasy dimension that operates under its own rules and laws, but it also echoes deep truths about our own world at the same time. All the characters, whether they are friends or adversaries, understand that ultimately they depend on each other for survival.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult, Adventure, Humor

328 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2009

About the author

Larry Marder is the creator of Tales of the Beanworld.

Reviews

[Stephanie Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a graphic novel that contains a secret world full of love that, once you have been exposed to it, you never want to share the secret because the magic might fade away. That place is Beanworld. This particular volume is the second of three. I’ve read them all and loved them all. But I can’t tell you about them because the magic might fade away…

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This edition includes the original issues from #10 to #21. I missed the last two comics of the original run so this book was especially interesting as it contained material that was new to me.

It's certainly great reading all the material in one go. The Pod'l'pool cuties are revealed to all, we are introduced to the Goofy Service Jerks who damage Mr Spook's trusty fork. With this, more of the Big·Big·Picture is revealed as we also encounter the Goofy Survey Jerks and the Goofy Sermon Jerk and witness the full horror of Goofy Jerk justice. Beanish's relationship with Dreamishness continues and Prof. Garbanzo witnesses Beanish during his encounters. Mr. Spook is reacquainted with his old tutor, Mr. Teach'm and we find out more about Mr. Spook's early years. Another breakout occurs - this time it is Heyoka, the Upsidedown and Backwards bean - with surreal results. Oh, and we also find out more about Prof. Garbanzo's early years as she recounts the stories to the growing cuties.

In summary, an indispensable book for anyone who has had any experience with Larry Marder's Beanworld.

[Tomek · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delight to spend more time in and learn about the history of Beanworld. The backstories of Mr. Spook and Proffy are particularly intriguing in that they give us a look into the evolutionary development of Beanworld and how it integrates with the rest of the Big Big Picture. Each story adds new complexity to the processes and relationships that maintain Beanworld's ecology.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Once again the strange, cute, world of the beans is an eventful place. I had read Beanworld, Vol. 1 years ago and found it to be interestingly odd. Marder draws and writes characters that seem like a Peter, Paul, and Mary song come to life. Every character seems to have a hidden meaning, such as Gran Ma Pa, the tree that gives and supports all bean life. In this installment, the Beans are given the gift of new little beans. While the beans celebrate the baby beans, both Beanish (The Beanworld artist) and Mr. Spook (the Beanworld warrior who gets food) have other more serious issues to deal with.

I love the drawing style-simple, sweet, even elegant at times. However, I just couldn't get into the nonsensical-ness of the story. I guess I wasn't up for it this time. I will try again later.

Check out Larry Marder's Beanworld Blog. Marder is no stranger to comics. His lengthy bio includes serving Executive director of Image Comics, and President of McFarlane toys. Even though this wasn't the right thing for me while, I still feel that Beanworld is something very special.

[Patricia Barrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have the first several issues of the comic book from way back when. I've always loved the Beanworld series. Unfortunately, I gave my set of hard cover books to my oldest son and he's read them to pieces. I need to order a new set for myself.

[Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hoka Hoka Hey! Ah, nostalgia. Reading Beanworld comics gets me all warm and fuzzy inside. Sweet, funny, and utterly original.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Astounding. Amazing. Poetry in motion. A must-read for anyone interested in, well, anything!

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute cute cute!

I like how the illustrations destabilize 2 and 3 dimensions, e.g. with the Hoi-Polloi ring herds.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was funny that they were all beans.

[Devin Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think I "got" Beanworld when I read Vol. 1. But Vol. 2 got me. It got me big time.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

More Beanworld goodness. The stuff with the Goofy Jerks kind of lost me, but really great stuff.