And They all Sorta Lived … Happily Ever Aftr

Happily Ever Aftr is a Kickstarter comic coming from the mind of Canadian Ricky Lima and the stylus of UK’s Nicolas Londeix. The inevitable Adventure Time comparisons will surely come fast and furious (and don’t call me Shirley). A fun and irreverent comic book with a cartoony art style and heavy usage of SMS texting bubbles tells a fantasy tale about Gretchen, a member of the Grimhold royal family. Gretchen has to come to terms with her feelings towards love and family obligation. As the first born Grimhold child it is her responsibility to kidnap a bride for marriage. But for generations the first born was always a boy. So, when Gretchen tries to follow the tradition and kidnap a bride for herself it does not sit well with her father. Gretchen must now deal with her own sexuality as well as live up to her father’s expectations. Meanwhile, the kidnapped Princess Emily, tries to escape the castle by trying to locate a handsome champion using a dating app on her smartphone.

Happily Ever Aftr #1 also features a backup story telling a tale of Gretchen’s favourite cartoon franchise called “Pony Mages”. “It’s like My Little Pony except it’s set in a brutal, dark fantasy world”, written by Aaron Feldman and drawn by Iris Hopp

The main story is a modern tale set amongst the fantasy world of Princesses and Knights. Nicolas’ art style is fun and provides great visuals. All the technical aspects of the comic are of a top notch, professional quality. Neat lettering, great layout, suitable colouring that matches the art style, I could easily see this title with Image or Boom! trade dress. Two different covers were available, one by IDW’s Jem and the Misfits artist Jenn St. Ong and the other by artist Christine Larsen.

Unfortunately, as with all good first issues, I was left wanting more. I want to see how things play out for young Gretchen and Emily. I want to hear more about the brave knight guarding the gates. I simply want more. I will definitely look for some of Ricky Lima‘s other projects, such as Black Hole Hunters Club with artist Shane Heron, and Deep Sea with artist D.A. Bishop. Best place to find these comics is to look for Ricky at the various comic conventions or drop him a line on Twitter @KingKRule.

Issue: Happily Ever Aftr #1 | Publisher: self published
Writer: Ricky Lima | Artist: Nicolas Londeix

About Author

Martin Boruta

Martin Boruta has been reading comic books and graphic novels for 50+ years (he reads books without pictures too, just sayin’). A lifelong fan of Captain Canuck, Martin is the curator of The Unofficial Yet Definitive Captain Canuck Comicography website. Since 2016, Martin has been reviewing comic books and highlighting great new Kickstarter projects at First Comics News. Martin’s writting has also been featured in Sequential Magazine. For over two-hundred episodes, Martin enjoyed teaming up with his pals and sharing hosting duties on The Hey Kids Comics Radio Show broadcast on Trent Radio 92.7 CFFF FM in lovely Peterborough, ON Canada, and still available at The Hey Kids Comics Radio Show website. Martin is a founding member of the Canadian Comic Book Alliance. In his various adventures, Martin has demonstrated an innate ability to spell “Erik Larsen” incorrectly.

Martin’s “day job” is owner of Shaw Computer Systems Inc., an Information Technology consultancy firm in Peterborough, ON, specializing in Managed Services for small to mid-sized businesses since 1980.

In the past, Martin served in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve as a member of the Cadet Instructors List (Cadre), reaching the Queen’s Commissioned rank of Captain, was awarded a Baronship of Sealand, and was ordained as a Reverend in the Universal Life Church while watching an episode of Monster Garage.

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