Some rules, to begin. This review will not claim that graphic novels have come of age. This review will not refer to the Costa Book Awards as ‘the turning point’, or even question graphic novels’ legitimacy against other more established art forms. This review will not mention Maus, by Art Spiegelman. And moreover, this review will not claim to have discovered that graphic novels are a serious artform.

The Gigantic Beard That Was Evil opens with a map of the island of Here. Here is surrounded by a sea, which in turn is surrounded by There. Everything in Here, from the trees in the park to the pelts of the pets, is trimmed, clipped and just as it