By Verron
Publisher: Cinebook
ISBN: 9781849182003
Originally created in 1959 by Belgian Jean Roba, the current strips are now illustrated by his one-time assistant Laurent Verron and scripted by a small team of writers.
Verron’s artwork is fabulous with a lively, animated style that wrings every ounce of fun from every panel, and it doesn’t seem to matter what situation the writers throw at him as he seems equally happy to draw a trailer load of toilet rolls, the African grasslands or a sinking fighter plane with aplomb.
Each page is its own self-contained strip, setting up the punchline in the final panel. Being a boy and his cocker spaniel there are plenty of jokes centred around childhood and games, home life, and the perils and pleasures of owning a pet, but the strip is equally happy to stray into other territories for the sake of a laugh.
It’s undoubtedly family-friendly fare, but just because it’s not got an 18 certificate or isn’t commenting on the current state of EU politics doesn’t mean it’s not funny, entertaining and clever. In fact, the strips success is largely down to its ability to stretch its, and its readers’, expectations by treating them with a little more sophistication and intelligence than some strips do whilst retaining its sense of fun.
So dip in and enjoy moments such as what happens when a burglar breaks in to be confronted by Buddy and they end up fighting over the TV remote, or what dogs do with hideously stale dog food that they’re presented with.
It’s a strip with its own personality (which has clearly contributed to its longevity and success), gently surreal, beautifully drawn and funny to boot.
And if you liked that: There are four previous volumes worth a look, too, but start with volume 1, Remember this, Buddy.
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