The Storyteller is back to tell us four tales about Shapeshifters from around the world! Check out the story of Lir’s children and their plight in The Storyteller: Shapeshifters #1 by BOOM! Studios!

JIM HENSON’S THE STORYTELLER: SHAPESHIFTERS #1 (OF 4)

**You can purchase this issue via our Amazon affiliate link**

Writer: Andre R. Frattino
Artist: Nori Retherford
Colorist: Kieran Quigley
Letterer: Jim Campbell
Editor: Allyson Gronowitz
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: March 2nd, 2022

Previously in the Storyteller: The Storyteller returns to tell his trusty dog new tales. This Ringo Award-winning series provides unique perspectives on old myths that you may not know!

BAD PARENTING

The Storyteller: Shapeshifter’s #1 begins with a dog bringing his master a journal to catalog the story. He refuses and explains why via a myth. Lir had four children who recently lost their mother. Their father copes by placing himself deep in his work and trusting his advisor and brother Dain. Fionna is the oldest of the children and often sits in the meetings, but today, Uncle Dain is here to take them out. Dain applies a curse that turns the children into doves that can only be broken by a foreign song and a saint.

Despite the difficulties, Fionna wants revenge, but that hatred comes second to taking care of her siblings. Unfortunately, it rained extremely hard one day, and Fionna’s siblings were lost in the water. Fionna is only saved by a priest who nurses her back to health. Fionna then sings, and the song emanates across the Kingdom. This attracts Dain, who shifts into a giant boar, and her siblings. As the children fight Dain, this priest rings her bell to play a foreign song and break the curse. Fionna, now human, breaks Dain’s wand, and Dain is now stuck permanently in the form of a boar! Fionna and her siblings thus leave the Realm of Men behind to sing songs across Ireland.

A FUN READ

I have always enjoyed The Storyteller comics, and The Storyteller: Shapeshifter #1 is no exception. The way we present old themes and brings them to a modern audience is insanely cool and engaging. And on top of that, the lesson here is essential. Do not do things because it makes money or reputation but enjoy time with your loved ones. No amount of power and fame is worth the death of your family. And this is a lesson that Fionna learns. Luckily, she stayed alive long enough to be reunited with her siblings before she made the same mistakes her father made. Magnificent work from the creative team in portraying this story. A simple story told well.

SOLID WORK

I like the consistency of this title. Every issue of The Storyteller is a delightful read that I can share with my children. On top of that, we get a plethora of diverse cultures in these stories, which is an enjoyable change of pace. Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Shapeshifters #1 is a solid 4 out of 5 from me, and I’ll continually pick up this title in the upcoming months.

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