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TOTO
THE PLATYPUS - THE LORD OF THE FOG
Writer Eric Omond
Artist Yoann
Published by Bande Dessinee`
Bande
Dessinee has launched its second volume of Toto the Platypus on the
Italian market. "The Lord of the fog" is the second episode
of this bizarre saga which takes place in Australia, and whose protagonists
are Toto the platypus and his animal friends (Scisci the echidna,
Wawa the koala bear and Riri the bat), all up against the sinister
Bunyip. Bunyip is a mythical Australian animal, and is represented
as a sort of horrible reptile with the legs of a bird. Because of
the magical power of its hair, it is pursued by Toto and friends who
need it to cure a poor "bandicoot" (a rodent), which has
broken its leg. The band knows that their mission involves serious
risks, due to the Bunyips ferociousness, but at the end of their
mission a surprise awaits them
Since the story is a fable and all fables have a moral, our heroes
will find out that "sincerity is a rare thing and that animals
should not be judged by their appearance". The story is part
of a genre dedicated to very young readers, which is practically unknown
in Italy (while it is well established in France). However, adult
readers may also enjoy reading "Toto", for its absence of
over-cuteness. Yoanns drawings are quite spectacular as his
colour tables manage to create a gothic type of atmosphere rather
than a Mediterranean feel. In any case, those who enjoy fully coloured
drawings should not miss this book.
The only downside is its brevity: this story, while impeccably edited,
is only 30 pages long, a size more common in US comic books rather
than French traditional hardcover.
M.M.
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