Written by: David Lapham
Art by: David Lapham
Publisher: Dark Horse
Juice Squeezers is a whimsical universe geared towards children and has a lightness that is unique to it. This lightness probably comes from its take on something that most children(and adults) find disgusting – bugs.
The Great Bug Elevator has many familiar themes of acceptance and friendship that are great for children, and therein lies its most important problem; adults might not find this story enjoyable. Granted, there are some adults in the story, but the bulk of this trade features kids(and bugs).
I’m sure people who enjoy the occasional G rated movie will have fall in love with the characters in this book. There are characters that most people can relate to; rule abiding Eric, ass kicking Lizzy and even the newcomer Billy. These children are the Juice Squeezers, a club that deals with freakishly large bugs in Weevile, California. These bugs roam around tunnels that adults cannot fit through. The premise might seem ridiculous, but if you dive into it, you will enjoy the story for what it is.
The tone of the story is endearing; it can best be described as a Harry Potter-esque tone. There is a sense of mischief and adventure that just makes you like the characters. These characters also have a lot of life in them, as opposed to those in other comic books.
David Lapham’s story and art just go so well together. Their harmony is one of the main reasons that the reader is immersed in this universe. The art is really commendable at times. I especially admired the intricate details on Tooter, the weevil.
The story is great, but it doesn’t have too much of a challenge for the protagonists. Danger is skimmed over in the story, and when there is a sense of urgency, it is resolved too quickly. There are also some questions that the reader has at the end of the story. As I don’t want to reveal any spoilers, I will say that there is definitely room for a sequel with interesting stakes and implications for the Squeezers.
There is also a great one-shot, Ants in your Pants, in the book. I thought it was much more humorous than the rest of the book, and I loved the little addition. I only wish that they had had the one-shot in the middle of the story, possibly to build more tension. Squish is also a great story, although it had very few bugs. The added challenge of bullies that the Squeezers faced lent it some realism, although it was hackneyed.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories meant for children. If you find them cheesy, then you probably won’t enjoy this book. The Great Bug Elevator is a great purchase for the whole family.
