Minicomic, Stacey Bru, staceybrucomics.tumblr.com, sold out
Leave it to root vegetables to unearth answers to life’s deep questions. Why was I born? Why am I living? Well, okay, maybe one won’t find answers to these questions here, but at least the existentially troubled little root being in The Root can empathize.
Stacey Bru’s compellingly drawn black-and-white mini comic tells the quick but harrowing tale of one little (radish? turnip?) root come-to-life. Happily growing down, down into the soil, everything changes when the greens are harvested and little Rooty groggily transitions to life on the surface. Rooty’s bereavement at the loss of a cozy dirt-womb spins into a murderous rampage, stomping greens left and right, until a brave little fly engages in a heart-to-heart with The Root.
Thoughtfully executed with a touching ending, Stacey’s work is as adorable as the story is sad. It’s a quick but lovely glimpse at the mystery and unfairness of life. (Joshua Barton)