Grog the Frog: The Book of Taurus is a short graphic novel about, you guessed it, a frog named Grog. However, Grog isn’t our ordinary run-of-the-mill frog. This frog is a lord of chaos, living in a magical world, and is determined that this will be the year that he finally celebrates the ritualistic and renowned Perseids harvest. But when things get derailed, will Grog be the one to restore balance to the realm, or will he revel in the chaos?
Beckoning readers to “beware fools!”, readers get a sense of Grog’s cheeky nature right from the offset. Yet, we also get an idea of the power he wields as a wizard – stunning in neon greens, the inside title page art depicts a much more serious Grog in almost priest-like apocalyptic attire – decked in full armour, a cross symbol over his head, with wings sprouting from his back and floating on an all-seeing eye, wielding a powerful wand. In a border around him twists entwined snakes, swords, flashes of light and more eyes.
Grog’s origins and fascination with the harvest seem to be shrouded in mystery, as he mediates about learning his true destiny in a hallucinogenic sequence. However, he is soon rudely awakened by a flying pigeon, and seems instantly less grandiose in his pink footy pyjamas and sleeping hat. Dishevelled and grumpy, Grog soon perks up when the chilled-out pigeon passes on his package – a reminder from his past self about the upcoming Perseids festival, the most important astronomical event in a magician’s calendar – as if he’d forget! Frantically stuffing spells, relics, weapons, and of course, fashion into his rucksack, Grog rushes off to the notorious event…
Greeted with regaling praises of “hail lord Grog!”, “master of beasts!”, “Lord of doom!”, Grog is clearly as notorious as the event itself and boy does he know it. Telling everyone to shut up, insulting the crappy “wizard admin” and trying to get mystical beings to carry his bags with a “chop chop!”. The Perseids harvest itself is beautifully sketched, with a full page being dedicated to depicting it in all its magical fun. Small green beings zooming around in a shoal, magical stalls, weight-lifting champions and otherworldly beings encompass the page in stunning detail, creating some excellent exposition and world-building without the need of narration. Grog is having far too much fun upending everyone’s stalls and generally being a menace, until he comes across the one stall that really interests him: a magical book stall! With a psychedelic sequence following in which Grog and the seller enter each other’s minds, Grog is told that tonight will mark the change of an era… Holy frogorolli!
I won’t spoil what happens when Grog finally meets his destiny after “poop pooping” up the hill rather erratically in his auto (ala Mr Toad from Wind in the Willows), but the lore and character development in Grog the Frog, particularly of the side characters, gets pretty deep. With allusions to Theseus and the Minotaur, an unbreakable sibling bond, a snake-like creature who just wants to eat biscuits and bite people and chaotic rascal birds, there is plenty of lore to keep the reader engaged. I will say that it gets a little convoluted at times, but this is only due to the enviable depth in which this short graphic novel manages to showcase in its limited page length.
There is some really cool bonus content at the back, with a page dedicated to each character and learning more about them, exclusive concept art, and tonnes of Grog fan art! Speaking of the artwork, Davilorium and Alba BG’s standout neon and pastel colouring and beautifully sweet sketches really add to the story’s readability. I loved the contrast between Grog’s cutesy appearance and his self-righteous, sassy attitude, and his expressions are not only effective, but hilarious. The lettering is wonderfully clear against the vivid backdrops, mainly sticking to black and white lettering, but occasionally traversing into bubble letters for onomatopoeic effect. Particularly fun were the illustrations that transcended their panels, often showcasing art that was more stylised or intricate.
Grog the Frog is a visually stunning piece with a unique story and an absolute icon at its centre. All hail Grog!
Alba BG and Davilorium (W/A) • Silver Sprocket
Review by Lydia Turner
