(Not) Starting Over Again — Reviewing ‘I Hate Fairyland’ #41

Wow, it really does feel good to be back. I’m ready to crack open and thoroughly review I Hate Fairyland #41.

Wait…the last issue published was the twentieth. What is with these ‘legacy numbering’ shenanigans and why does it smell like something Gert would have a hand in? Well, at least the numbering is in line with the previous twenty and twenty issues of the two series volumes. That’s unlike the wild math that some other places might be doing with their legacy numbers.

Anyway, it’s a new era (of sorts) as Skottie Young, Jean-François Beaulieu, and Nate Piekos return for more bloody colorful fairy tale mayhem. Joining in for the fun this time around is brand new series artist Derek Laufman.

–COLORFUL SPOILERS FOLLOW-

Last we saw Gertrude, there was a whole war going down with her counterpart Happy. It involved Dorothy Gale and a whole host of public domain characters. Long story short, Gertrude won through words and saw a brand-new key arrive for her to leave Fairyland at last. Unfortunately for her, to gain the key she has to journey through the land once more.

Ain’t life just grand?

It kind of is, since we come back to find Gert and guide/friend/frenemy Larry on the quest for an epic pub crawl. As a fan of pub crawls, I have to say, I’m down to do the Dungeon Pub Crawl.

The range of this book continues to delight. Young is able to do something that ongoing books used to do regularly, mix and match arcs and one-offs. This gives a great exploration and development of character while also telling solid stories. This series’ supporting cast of characters has more development and appearances than some classic supporting casts have had in the last two decades.

An issue like this will surely have connections to stuff later on, even if minor. Yet, for now it’s just a one-shot adventure in the continuing journey of Gertrude. Which rocks.

Especially since we get to see more Duncan Dragon, which is always welcome.

Had I not been as aware of the credits as I am (and need to be), it would almost feel like the artwork hadn’t changed. That’s not because Laufman doesn’t have his own little quirks and stylistic elements that are clear once you get a closer look. No, it’s because he picks up the same energy and overall whimsical animated nature as the two preceding art styles.

The art is so dense and vivid, with bold imagery, allowing every panel and space to have its own firm presence and energy. This continues the trend of bringing the bloody wild goodness in such a gross but still fun way.

This is also helped by the fact that Beaulieu is still slinging those vibrant powerful color palette tones on the page. Bright and shiny at every turn, and full of plenty of smooth textures that play well with the artistic choices. Keeping this land so consistent through all the various changes and eras (like restarts or renumbering, for example).

Never let us forget the grand lettering stylings of Piekos, nailing it time and time again. He delivers the acid-tinged voice of Gert and others with such precision. Piekos finds all the right colors, font styles, and even overall delivery methods for the dialogue, SFX, and more on the page. He taps into the emotional, fun, and violent vibes of the issues to kick it all up several more notches.

I Hate Fairyland #41 is now available from Image Comics.