Review by Jamie McNeil
Artist Derib (Claude de Ribaupierre) and writer Job (André Jobin) have a winning formula that has served them well since Yakari debuted in 1973. Open with innocent tranquil scenes, introduce a likeable cast of characters to their eponymous protagonist Yakari and then build the tension with a significant threat which is intelligently and often delightfully resolved. It’s so simple and yet it works time and again, having earned the title and its creators’ multiple awards over 49 years in publication.
Yakari and the Ghost Bear is yet another example of that formula, charming and wonderfully illustrated. Yakari takes a trip in his canoe when he spots something on the shoreline. Initially puzzled by seeing a white bear so far south of the Land of Ice (see Yakari and Nanabozho), Yakari’s curiosity leads to a meeting with Snowball, an albino Black Bear. However, rumour of a white bear in the area draws the attention of Taut Bow, a nomadic hunter obsessed with obtaining the pelts of rare white animals. Yakari inevitably must think of way to help Snowball elude Taut Bow without drastic measures.
It’s a sweet informative tale about accepting your differences and embracing your strengths rather than letting them define you. The cast are engaging, Derib scripting some amusing problems Snowball encounters from the opposite sex that would probably be seen as a blessing by some males. However, Derib also emphasises the danger unusual animals face in the natural world, one being the unwanted attention of avid trophy hunters. It’s more in keeping with Derib’s earliest stories without the edge of the other 1990s output like The Wall of Fire or Fury from the Skies, but it’s a perfectly functional tale that delivers a satisfying read. It’s classic adventure storytelling and while it’s not his best it’s still good.
Derib’s cartooning speaks for itself and at this stage he could probably do it with his eyes closed. The thing that marks his 1990s output (this was published in French in 1998) is how consistent the art in every album is. Yes, there were times when he could dazzle as in the two aforementioned volumes, but his work was never poor. Here it’s vibrant and lush, the cast moves fluidly and there’s plenty of the blue hued nighttime sequences that Derib excels at. He’s a fine artist who’s won or been nominated for a few awards including his other long running Western Buddy Longway. Only his work on Yakari has ever been published in English and perhaps that’s why it’s easy for English speakers to underappreciate just how good he is. Have a quick look for his work online and you’ll be astounded by how much some of his pieces sell for.
Yakari and the Ghost Bear is the little Sioux’s 23rd outing in English. He’s had 42 adventures published in the French, two animated TV shows, a video game, a musical, a live Yakari-themed horse show, Schleich collectibles, a Playmobil set and been translated into 18 languages worldwide. Derib and Job’s influence on European comics is immense and Yakari is a large part of that. The themes of tolerance, friendship, harmony with the Earth, and peace were way ahead of its time and still relevant now. You can do a lot worse than give the nippers a Yakari album to read.
His next adventure in English is Yakari and the Wolverine’s Revenge.
