Dance your cares away . . . but worries are here today.
The last issue left us with a bit of a pickle; the Fraggles had found what was blocking the Everspring that supplies water to all parts of Fraggle Rock: a boatload of trash! Though they had found a whole new colony of Doozers, they didn’t know how they’d be able to remove so much garbage.
I’d already been reading this series when my editor asked me to review this issue, and I was more than happy to do it. Having been a Henson fan my entire life, I’ve really come to trust Archaia with the Henson properties, and this series was no different. Kate Leth has put together a wonderful story that feels like it was lifted right from the series, filled with the songs and lessons that were integral to every Fraggle adventure. Jake Mylar fills the underground world with color and life, bringing these iconic characters to life and getting to add to them, as well.
It’s a special thing when I’m reading a property that I know from other media and hear it match perfectly in my head, and this series sings in that regard. I can hear the voice talents from the show in my mind while reading this wonderfully scripted tale, and the beats feel paced just like the show, moving fast enough to be entertaining while steady enough not to leave anyone behind. It’s the magical pacing that was done so well by not only Henson, but Fred Rogers and Captain Kangaroo, as well. They held the special tempo that would allow children to follow along, without pandering pauses like today’s shows with Dora and Blue’s Clues.
What just happened there? I guess I need to get back to the rocking chair on my porch and tell kids to get off my lawn . . .
If you grew up with the Fraggles, you’ll love the finale to this series, you’ll see it coming only as it happens, and you’ll love every second of a nostalgia that feels new. And, if you want to introduce your kids to the Fraggle world and reading, you’ll find no better way than this awesome and wondrous series.
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