THE ADVENTURES OF TUBBY NUGGET

A friendly little blob eschews uniformity.

Based on the affirmational internet cartoon of the same name, this capable comic recounts Tubby Nugget’s relatable origin story. Tubby lives on Planet Nüg and leads a simple life with his loving parents, but as he gets older, the time for transformation approaches. When nuggets reach adulthood, they get dipped in gold, go to work, and no longer enjoy easy pleasures like savoring yummy snacks, drawing, and playing outside. Though this is a somewhat heavy-handed allegory for the soul-crushing slog of adulthood, it’s earnestly told, and Tubby’s such a sweetie, it’s hard to resist his emotional arc. When he declares he won’t be gold-encased—”What I’d like most is the chance to be myself”—a dramatic escape, aided by his supportive parents, ensues. Finally, Tubby departs his planet and tumbles into the arms of his earthly guardians, the creators of his online cartoons (one is pale-skinned; one is brown-skinned). The visuals are glossy, rounded, and accessible, with a few sci-fi set pieces and spaceships thrown in for good measure. While simple, it rings true. Who hasn’t felt the crushing weight of conformity and dreamed of a lighter life? Bringing the Tubby Nugget ethos to book form offers a fresh opportunity to share his comforting message with fans and readers of all ages.

A heartfelt celebration of staying young at heart.