Attraction knows no bounds in Eisner-nominee Andi Watson's (Breakfast After Noon) sweet tale of a princess and a count with culinary skills.
Princess Decomposia has a great burden on her shoulders. While her father, the king of the Underworld, complains of ailments and confines himself to bed, she must answer letters from the public, approve cabinet documents and hold meetings with the Lycanthrope delegation. In the midst of these pressures, the cook quits, and the princess must hire a new one. The king rejects kippers that are either too dry or too wet, while the new chef, Count Spatula, devises feasts that ensure diplomatic progress with traveling dignitaries. Moreover, he takes pains to make sure the princess eats well. Black-and-white panels chart how the palace transforms from the dark and dreary common hallways and king's quarters to the warm light of the kitchen where the toothless count (too many sugary pastries) works his magic. The count counsels "Dee" (as she insists he call her) to delegate some of her responsibilities, and Skulker (with one large eye in place of a head) reports these developments back to the king. Watson builds to a climax Overground, when the king orders Decomposia to fire the cook and travel above for the Thursday of the Dead celebration.
The princess possesses the integrity her father lacks and finds a way to be true to herself and her new friend while preserving a relationship with her parent. This story is fully satisfying, but readers will hope for more adventures with Watson's heroes. --Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness