Chain Bear, created by Lauren Farnsworth & Stuart Taylor, incorporates varying one-off ponderings and recurring characters such as Big City Moose and the Chain Bear as mentioned in the title to create a sort of off-kilter relationship with the reader. Yeah. This little ditty is updated every weekday, "if all goes well".
There are many different styles to the art here, which I enjoyed very much. I saw a few I would like to make a tshirt out of, they were that interesting to look at. Not to say that it's just fun webcomic art. A lot is being said in the more introspective comics without even using words. There is a lot of pain and loneliness conveyed, as well as complete nonsense and an overall feeling of uneasiness. I can totally see most of these comics being exhibited at a gallery somewhere. Think about it.
Again, as with the art, the writing makes me feel exactly the way the art did. A little uneasy and a bit morose. There aren't any easy laughs to be found, and I don't think that was the idea in the first place. Gag comic this ain't. The closest thing to a straitforward strip was Big City Moose, but they decided to do away with him,
and I wonder if that is the exact reason why. Personally I think he could have his own strip, but that's just my opinion. Bear made me think a lot more than most comics which rely on punchlines and wacky adventures to pull you in. This was more like a therapy session, only with bears. I know some people might say I'm thinking too hard here, but hey, you might get something else entirely out of your experience. I wonder if Lauren or Stuart are psychiatrists by day....hmm...
I really liked Chain Bear. If you're looking for something more than just a quick comic fix, you should definitely take the time to read it. It's probably not for everyone, because not everyone is looking for a comic that makes them think too much. It was a welcome change of pace for me and I hope it will be for others. I will say that it was a bit all over the place and some won't have the patience for it. Chain Bear might just be ahead of it's time.
I give Chain Bear...
(For originality, stylistic art and thought provoking material)
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