Review by Ian Keogh

Gary is a pig in a world where animals and humans of equal intelligence co-exist. Although all walk on two feet, it’s only very rarely that Rob Harrell draws Gary below the waist in this adventure, never mind shows how his mate Carl the fish gets around. Still, that doesn’t really matter when Gary, as Batpig, discovers time is being slowed down and that the school janitor is responsible. But wait! That’s only the first of two hilarious adventures (and an intermission) as Batpig and his pals also have to see off an alien attack.

As was the case in When Pigs Fly, Gary, Brook and Carl have to come up with ways to save the day as Harrell piles up the ridiculous situations for them, and forces Gary into moments where he has to think for himself. Despite being a superhero, he’s not great at that. Fortunately, the people he deals with aren’t the sharpest tools in the box either. Harrell is great at setting up the absurd. There’s a way of cranking time forward again, but it involves Batpig flying back and forth across town, and when the aliens attack it’s as the latest Crimson Swine movie is being filmed. The Crimson Swine is nothing to do with Batpig, by the way, other than being Gary’s favourite superhero. His personality, though is borrowed from Krusty the Clown.

Harrell keeps the drawing simple in a grungy style, and knows his audience are going to love loads of fart and poo jokes, so he keeps them coming. Just like the smelly gym socks keep coming as they rain down from the sky.

Imaginative and hilarious, Too Pig to Fail is the type of graphic novel that have kids giggling with glee, while their parents will either love reading it to them or frown with disapproval. It’s win/win. Go Pig Or Go Home is next.