POOH VS. BAMBI #2 – New Comic Review

POOH VS. BAMBI #2, by Zenescope on 5/15/24, brings Pooh out of “retirement” to help Gen. Robin with a mission to rescue Pooh’s friends and former fighting ally – Tigger.

Credits:

• Writer: Noah Mitchell
• Artist: Jordi Tarragona
• Colorist: Juan Manuel Rodriguez
• Letterer: Taylor Esposito
• Cover Artist: Jordi Tarragona
• Publisher: Zenescope Entertainment
• Release Date: May 22, 2024
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Page Count: 26
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

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Analysis of POOH VS. BAMBI #2:

Plot Analysis:

Previously, in issue #1, readers got quite a surprise when they were introduced to Pooh and Bambi as super soldiers sent to do the military’s dirty work under the toughest of conditions. Their unfailing loyalty failed when Bambi learned he wasn’t a rescued orphan but the result of a genetically engineered experiment and bred to kill. Bambi snapped from the shock, and Pooh was forced to kill him.

In POOH VS. BAMBI #2, Pooh is forcibly re-enlisted by General Robin and his top lieutenant, Piglet, to help an old friend. Tigger was sent to find and arrest Dr. Kandice Gardner, aka Kanga, for her part in the illegal genetic engineering project. When Tigger reached Kanga’s island, she disappeared. Now, Gen. Robin wants Pooh to go after Tigger.

Pooh, Piglet, and Piglet’s squad approach Kanga’s island and prepare for a HALO jump. Suddenly, the plane is shot out of the sky. Most of the soldiers escape via parachute, but the vulnerable soldiers are attacked by a flock of vicious birdmen.

Piglet manages to avoid the flock but makes a hard landing in the middle of the jungle nest of giant, talking spiders. The spiders skitter forward for their next meal, but Pooh arrives to save Piglet. The two barely escape the spiders.

And then there were two. Pooh and Piglet decide the only option left is to complete the mission. They infiltrate the base and find more genetic experiments waiting to be born. In the middle of the research center is a large coliseum that appears to be empty. Suddenly, Pooh and Piglet are surprised by a mutated Kanga, her “son” Roo, and… Tigger.

Character Development:

If it wasn’t clear from the description, this issue is a non-stop action fest from start to finish. However, Noah Mitchell begins planting the seeds of a comradery or a possible relationship between Pooh and Piglet. Their banter starts as hostile and argumentative, but once they have to fight for their lives, a tone of respect starts to creep in.

Artwork and Presentation: 

Jordi Tarragona’s artwork is an amazing mix of 1980s muscle action films with a hint of caricature-ish whimsy. The character designs, which are the key to making this concept work, look amazing, and the level of detail is well above average for a mainstream comic.

Art Samples:

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Pacing and Structure:

Noah Mitchell’s action romp moves like a well-paced Rambo movie with smooth scene transitions, meaningful plot progression, surprises aplenty once Pooh and Piglet get to the island and a solid cliffhanger.

That said, the main down point of the issue is the wordy exposition by General Robin explaining the mission. The beginning of the issue contains a prologue flashback to a point where Pooh and Bambi are developing a friendship. While impactful, the prologue could have been better used to set up Tigger’s “failed” mission to prevent Gen. Robin’s lengthy dialog scenes.

Thematic Exploration: 

Thematically, this issue is all about trust. Pooh suffers from broken trust with Bambi. Now, Pooh has to learn to trust Piglet, and the ending causes Pooh to question his decision of trust in the past and present.

The Bigger Picture:

Historical Context:

If you’re wondering how the Pooh in this comic connects with the commonly known Winnie the Pooh, he doesn’t. Now that Winnie the Pooh is in the public domain, Pooh can be used in any story without regard to the original author A.A. Milne, and illustrator E.H. Shepard, as long as the version of Pooh used doesn’t conflict with the Disney version.

Final Thoughts:

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POOH VS. BAMBI #2 shifts from a man-on-the-run story to a retired soldier enlisted to rescue an old friend. Noah Mitchell’s story is a pleasing throwback to sweaty action films of the 1980s, and the art is fantastic. That said, the opening scenes suffer from wall-of-text exposition.

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