My Boyfriend is a Bear GN
Writer: Pamela Ribon
Artist: Cat Farris
Publisher: Oni Press
Review by Anelise Farris
When I first heard the pitch for My Boyfriend is a Bear, I immediately thought of all the fairy tales that involve bears as romantic partners. As such, the concept did not seem far-fetched; on the contrary, it has been in our story cycle for hundreds of years. However, because Pamela Ribon is behind it, I had no doubt that it was going to be refreshingly different.
My Boyfriend is a Bear centers on Nora, a woman who has had a lot of really awful boyfriends. On a hike, however, Nora meets the man (or bear, more accurately) of her dreams. He is everything she wants in a romantic partner, yet there are a few hang-ups. For one, he is a bear that hibernates all winter. Can Nora handle the time apart? Second, the people in Nora’s life are having trouble accepting this non-normative relationship. Will Nora choose a life with her soulmate even if that means isolating her family and friends?
Ribon’s writing is equal parts humorous and affecting. Sure, My Boyfriend is a Bear is silly, but Ribon manages to deliver a story about the difficulties of finding that person/animal that takes away your loneliness. While Nora and her bf do have their difficulties—he’s rather clumsy, to put it mildly—they thoroughly enjoy spending quality time together: binging Downtown Abbey in bed or cuddling and reading together. And it’s hard not to feel a bit emotional as both Nora and the bear try to deny that hibernation season is fast approaching.
Cat Farris’s art pairs perfectly with Ribon’s writing. The art is lighthearted and cartoonish with a hint of manga influences. When Nora goes into chibi mood, it is hilarious. And for a character that only says “grah,” Farris does a great job of instilling the bear with a unique personality.
Verdict: Buy it.
My Boyfriend is a Bear is a fun, lighthearted tale that speaks to the worries of growing up and finding love.
My Boyfriend is a Bear will be released on April 17, 2018.
