Canadian Brandon Shane’s “The Monster Under the Bed” definitely wins praise for having the type of intricate plot and storyline you roll your eyes at and think, “Why didn’t I think of this?!”
I loved watching Disney’s “Monsters, Inc.” back in the day, (yeah, almost 20 years now, right?), and one of the things that really impressed me was the consequences that arose after a collision between the human world and the monster world. “The Monster Under the Bed” takes a bit of the same elements, but super-charges and matures them somewhat. Timothy Newton leads the normal life of an awkward boy, with all the trials and tribulations of family life with his parents Thomas and Ruth Newton. That life takes a dramatic turn however when an attractive female monster, Shadow, whom he’d always suspected of being under his bed at night, comes out to scare him – only to wind up a picture on his father’s Polaroid camera.
From this point, an unusual alliance is formed, and Shadow and young Timothy enjoy quite the loyal friendship all through his teenage years. Well, as kids change and grow to reach near adulthood, so too do the monsters, and Shadow has become quite the sexy beast indeed. Timothy also is growing up strong and handsome. But of course, there’s problems with any type of relationship, and we get that usual issue similar to Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”, where the would-be-lovers just can’t seem to work out their differences, and both worlds seem insistent on keeping them apart.
What Brandon does however is really unique – not just focusing on the human world and its characters, but going to the equivalent of the “Upside Down” from “Stranger Things”.
Monsters indeed have lives too, and they can become as unpredictable as our own. Shadow has an abundance of allies and enemies in her world which is as much rocked by dissension and unrest as it is family and friendships. Timothy meanwhile battles problems in his own world like first-love pangs, bullies, and the occasional family quarrels.
“The Monster Under the Bed” is brilliantly conceived and written, and the character designs and overall art are solid. You might not think you could ever be attracted to monsters, but Brandon takes a special delight in teasing the readers with just enough salacious nudity and sexual fun to make it all work.
Give this webcomic a peek and become a fan! I don’t want to give too much away! ^^
umm jus saying,, Polaroid camera.. his dad is a professional photographer .. and didn’t have cell phone cameras yet… (he later destroys photo to prove trust..)
but other wise ,, spot on.. great review…
Oh, you’re right, I’d better fix that. ^^