Review by Frank Plowright

Donut Squad is a new addition to the list of all-ages graphic novels published by David Fickling Books celebrating the absurd. Neill Cameron starts by introducing the members of Donut Squad, each in their own individual four page gag. Pay attention, as themes will recur.

Given the thought and complex themes applied to Cameron’s Mega Robo Bros, the four or eight panel lunacy of a Donut Squad strip must be a form of catharsis for him. It takes the template of a TV sketch show in which a themed cast repeat the same joke in altering circumstances. So Jammyboi leaves an oozy, sticky mess on a succession of insufficiently protected piles of papers, Justice Donut serves retribution on the excessively greedy, and Caramel Jack’s salty language upsets the faint of heart.

In between the episodes Cameron supplies “advertising”, merchandise, or posters introducing a succession of stomach-turning new donut flavours. Sweaty Cheese, anyone? In time these become part of the ongoing insanity, and eventually feed the plot, which is clever. The subtitle of Take Over the World typifies the book. It begins as a ridiculous idea in four panels, but Cameron runs with the idea and builds on it, introducing bagels as the natural enemies of donuts. Developing from that is the bagels being bland, staid, and a little authoritarian, and so despite having our best interests at heart, they’re portrayed as dull. Instead of their merchandising being bright and exciting, it’s geometry sets and ties.

Although marketed at a young age group, there’s no talking down. The madcap antics of Spronky involve Communist propaganda, conspiracy theories play a part and the words definitive, insubordination, ominous and sublimation are used. Several strips feature L’il Timmy asking his father a question, and the responses can range from consideration of existential conundrums to deep dives into historical atrocities. Mostly, though, it’s fun, fun, fun. Well, apart from the angst of Anxiety Donut taking a trip beyond the panel borders.

But wait! There’s also bonus material in which Cameron goes the extra mile beyond just showing how to draw the characters. He invents new ones, and stars them in strips besides. And there are even a couple of extra strips past the Mega Robo Bros preview. Does anyone say “stonking” any more? Well it applies to Donut Squad. There’s more to be found in Donut Squad Make a Mess.