Cover by Roger Langridge
The friendship between Abigail and Claude continues to be heartwarming and believable. They stop, even in the middle of their escape, to enjoy the snow and the Christmas lights, laughing together. Claude is the perfect combination of best friend and big brother, and Abigail is a spirited, determined, and cheerful girl who genuinely wants what is best for the yeti. The two together make quite a pair. There is one especially great panel where Abigail is riding Claude’s back and looking completely content and trusting.
Roger Langridge adds more action to this book, with car chases, helicopters, and some gunfire, making this the only violent issue in the series. It is all kept to cartoon violence with no real harm done, but is notable in the context of what has otherwise been a quiet story.
His art continues to be charming, deliberately exaggerated, somewhat simplified and very vivid. Everyone is strongly expressive, with their emotions clear to see. Langridge has extra fun with the sound effects this issue with giant “KSSSHHHH!” and “SKRAAASSSHH!” sounds leaping across pages and with footsteps sounding in the snow with different effects depending on the person walking or running—relative speed comes through clearly at these points. It is good to see a comic artist having fun with the medium in this way.
Abigail and the Snowman is a perfectly balanced, fun miniseries for the younger reader. I look forward to seeing more from Roger Langridge.
Abigail and the Snowman #4 is available from BOOM! Studios on March 25, 2015.
Writer, Artist, and Letterer: Roger Langridge
Colors: Fred Stresing
Cover: Roger Langridge with colors by Fred Stresing
Designer: Jillian Crab
