A page detailing Rufus the dog’s interaction with a cat is particularly amusing, as are Rhino-B and Stag-B’s initial impressions upon meeting Dome Spider the librarian. There are also plenty of laugh-out-loud hilarious moments in the graphic novel. When Stag-B and Rhino-B discover a copper necklace that has turned green, Rhino-B consults a book to explain that it probably used to be shiny, but has changed color due to oxidization (Stag-B and Rhino-B love books – bugs after my own heart). There are also plenty of details about the natural world contained in the story. Allowing the characters to show this kind of emotion over the potential loss of their friendship, and to doubly affirm that it’s acceptable to express that emotion regardless of gender, is yet another instance of the positive messages to be found in this comic. When another beetle comments that he cries a lot for a boy, Rhino-B asks what difference it makes if he’s a boy or not, and remarks that he may never see his friend again. When the two best friends have been separated, Rhino-B begins to cry. The friendship between Stag-B and Rhino-B is heartwarming and earnest. It’s a thoughtful rumination on the role of prayer and one of the many quiet philosophical moments that make this comic so memorable. Rhino-B asks if the Great Chrysalis grants wishes, and while Stag-B admits that he isn’t sure it’s capable of granting wishes, he likes to use the wishing like meditation anyway. Early in the book, Rhino-B and Stag-B visit the Great Chrysalis, something of a religious site to the residents of Bug Village. What’s especially appealing about Bug Boys is the way that they don’t turn away from serious questions. In one chapter, a human kidnaps Rhino-B, and different panels offer a glimpse of “Human vision” compared with “Bug vision,” a nice detail that provides insight into the perspective of the bugs. They discover a treasure map, face off against (or at least flee from) predators, eat a whole plethora of different kinds of appetizing food, and make brand new insect and arachnid friends.

Aren’t maps in comics the best?! Courtesy of RH Graphicīug Boys is divided into chapters, and during the course of the book, Rhino-B and Stag-B have a series of different and varied adventures. So far, every book in the Random House Graphic line has included this information, which is a nice detail for readers who might be curious about making a comic of their own (and for those especially inspired by Bug Boys, there are instructions on how to draw the two lead characters included in the back material of this graphic novel). According to the copyright page, Knetzger used pen and ink on Bristol board as well as Photoshop to make Bug Boys.

First and foremost, the art is bright, colorful, and completely irresistible.

Bug Boys by Laura Knetzger