Hilda and the Mountain King

This book I reviewed while judging for the Excellence in Graphic Literature Awards seems pretty appropriate for Mother's Day. One of the things that made it stand out for me is how it extended a fantasy narrative into a canny commentary on parenthood and the lengths that some will go to make sure that their children get advantages and opportunities. Hilda and the Mountain King is the sixth in the Hilda series of graphic novels (you can read my review of volume 1 here). This volume features all sorts of action and adventure, but the crux of matters is that Hilda and a baby troll have been bodily switched. So, while Hilda has to deal with adapting to life as a troll, her mother is desperately seeking ways to find her lost child. Also, she has to deal with a real wild child who has not manners or idea of how to act human. It is a comedy of sorts, but one tinged with a sense of horror. However, over the course of events Hilda learns that being a troll is not all that bad...

She also learns more about trolls and their history, which makes her wonder why the two species can't get along better than they do. The book also touches on themes of immigration and ethnicity, with the conflict between human and trolls and the ambiguity about who owns the land and who is trespassing. It features way more nuance and thoughtfulness than I expect in a series book for young readers, let alone one that is licensed as a cartoon series by a major media entity.

The artwork, presented in a large page format a la European comics albums, is impressive in a number of ways. It tells its story in very clear ways and also amps up the action sequences in ways that carry real stakes. The book is also full of cartoonish and cute figures, but with a muted color palette. The effect of this style really sells the humorous bits and makes what could be monstrous characters more relatable. It also makes the rather serious commentary work in a disarming way, with its absence of garish colors. I was impressed by how this book touched on serious issues without seeming preachy or didactic. This book works on so many different levels, and I was very impressed by its total effect. I really need to check out more titles from this series.

The Hilda series was created by Luke Pearson. He has a selection of other comics work you can peruse here. He speaks more about this book, the cartoon adaptation, and his inspirations in this interview.

All the reviews I have read about this book have been positive. Hillary Brown wrote, "The panel structure of Mountain King is as visually complex as the range of emotions in the story, and yet neither is hard to read. It feels cinematic without leaving comics behind." Oliver Sava added, "These oversized graphic novels feature beautiful illustrations of natural, urban, and magical environments populated by eye-catching characters, all rendered with a precise yet lively line and expressive color palette." Andy Oliver called it "thrilling, touching and even thought-provoking."

Hilda and the Mountain King was published by Flying Eye Books, and they offer a preview and more information about it here. Also, season two of the cartoon adaptation of Hilda will be up at Netflix soon.

Hilda and the Troll

Hilda is a little Scandinavian girl with an excellent vocabulary. She enjoys the finer things in life, like camping out during rainstorms, snuggling with pets, and going on trips to draw things in nature. Complications arise in this book when she goes off on such a trip and encounters a rock troll. She has read up on the folklore about those creatures, but she may have skimmed so quickly that she missed an important detail or two. Still, she is clever and manages to find a resolution to the situation with quick thinking and some help from her antlered pet Twig.

This book is larger than your typical graphic novel, more like picture book size, which features the artwork beautifully. And as you can see in the excerpt below, Hilda and the rest of the cast are depicted in an adorable way:

Not only is the artwork excellent, but the scenes and characters are also well defined in quick and easy fashion. This book is so approachable and endearing. It is simultaneously new and familiar, which is a tough trick to pull off. Also, even though there is some action, suspense, and drama, I felt it all was not so extreme. Subtle touches of humor and heart tone things down and also make the book feel more human. Reading this book felt like a visit with a well-traveled, fanciful, and loquacious friend than a series of stressful escapades.

Artist/illustrator Luke Pearson created this book, and Hilda's adventures have been spun out into multiple volumes. He speaks more about his life, work, and Hilda comics in this interview.

All of the reviews I have read about this book sing its praises. Janelle Asselin commented that the world depicted here is complex and that the story is "sweet and charming, but not saccharine." Richard Bruton wrote that the entire production "screams quality and class." Alexandra Lange summed up, "Pearson has found a lovely new way to dramatize childhood demons, while also making you long for your own cruise down the fjords."

Hilda and the Troll was published by NoBrow Press, and they have a preview and more available here. You can find subsequent volumes in the series by searching here. Also, these stories are being adapted into a Netflix series due in 2018.