Seasons
change and many things occur in the second issue of Leila Marzocchi's wildly
original, beautifully drawn, ecologically minded fable. Saved from the threat
of a giant centipede by the birds who are taking care of her, our little maggot
protagonist "Doll" goes into hibernation as Winter looms. While she
sleeps, we follow the adventures of the old owl "Grandpa," who
discovers that he has a superpower.
Spring
comes, and Doll wakes up, but she has mutated again and is now so hungry that
even the best efforts on the birds' part are not sufficient to stave off
potential starvation. Only a prophecy from the Row of Rustling Poplars can save
her! Meanwhile, the loyal Wingman realizes that Taxus, the tree he calls home,
is no longer answering — what has happened to his spirit?
Fantagraphics
Ignatz series, 32 pages, saddle-stitched comic book format with jackets,
published August 2006