CALL ME MOBY

Moby-Dick's long been considered the great American novel; now it’s time to get the title character’s perspective on things.

Meet Moby! After checking out “the dry parts of the world,” the exuberant whale notices a ship. Charmed (it looks like “a fish with a funny hat”), Moby comes over to play. Much like an overly enthusiastic toddler with a family pet, Moby begins frolicking with the ship. The marine mammal’s joyful antics don’t go over well with the terrified crew, particularly Captain Ahab. Even a contrite apology does little to assuage Ahab’s anger. That’s when Moby realizes that “not everybody will get you. But that’s okay.” Moby’s innocent obliviousness in the face of the sailors’ anger and fear ratchets up the humor. Even children who have never heard of Herman Melville’s novel will appreciate the silliness as our misguided hero attempts to make friends. For the most part, Kenseth’s art is simple, with pure digital lines and colors, though Ahab receives a full-page spread where he gazes at the whale, his face a mask of utter malice and rage, that offers a bit of unexpected complexity.

Thar she blows! A hump like a snow hill! It is Moby, and a sweeter little antagonist you’ll rarely find elsewhere.