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For the first time, I'm reviewing something made in America (maybe some bits made in Canada?).

Owly is a children's comic, gaining some novelty through the fact that there are no words, except in sound effects and books. What makes it especially appealing is that it has simple easy to grasp themes, but very engaging themes, applicable no matter what your age.

Owly is about an owl named Owly, his best friend Wormy, and there various misadventures as they make friends. In Flying Lessons, they see a Flying Squirrel and would like to become friends with it. However, the Flying Squirrel is afraid of Owly due to that whole predator-prey relationship. The story is simplistic, predictable, and utterly engaging. All characterization is visual, and it's hard to not get attached to Owly or anyone else in the comic.

The art of Owly is great. It's very simplistic, but very expressive. It's easy to tell just what Owly is thinking, even if he doesn't have a thought bubble. All dialogue is handled by small pictures in world bubbles. If Owly would like to greet Wormy, a world bubble containing Wormy's picture and an exclamation point would be used. It's simple, and it's effective.

Owly is great. I love Owly. I, as a male, am perfectly willing to say that Owly, and all his adventures, are cute. If you don't want to take my word on how good Owly: Flying Lessons is, would you take a panel of judge's word on Owly being great? Owly: Flying Lessons won an Eisner, which is the comics version of an Oscar. I have absolutely no bad things I can say about Owly.

heart / heart