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Redwall: The Graphic Novel

Brian Jacques

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

The good, the bad, and one heckuva ugly rat 4 out of 5 stars.
9 of 9 people found this review helpful.

And about time too! When the Warriors novels started coming out in graphic novel forms, I didn't think much of it. Author Erin Hunter has always written books that seem similar to the "Redwall" titles, but with a narrower focus. Then Mouse Guard was published earlier in 2007 and I thought it a lovely work, if less complex and multi-faceted than "Redwall" too. About the time Mice Templar hit the shelves, though, I started to get angry. What. The. Heck? First of all, I'm sure there are some nice sociological theories you could put into play regarding the state of the United States today and our odd fixation on mice going to war, but above and beyond all that, where in the world was the Redwall graphic novel? I mean, Brian Jacques essentially took that old The Wind in the Willows animals-wearing-clothes idea, gave it some armor, and defined the very idea of contemporary children's books where animals war against one another. I'm sure that you could find others, but Jacques was the fellow that made animals in armies profitable. Finally, at long last, we've a graphic novelization of the very first "Redwall" book. Adapted by Stuart Moore and illustrated by Bret Blevins, the book is a faithful retelling of the original text, offering some advantages and disadvantages in its new format.

Once there may have been a need for warrior mice to guard Redwall Abbey, but those days have long since passed. Now the most that young Matthias can hope for is to someday become an abbot himself. As they say, the days of the warrior are past. Or rather, they would be if Cluny the Scourge and his crew of blood-thirsty rats weren't travelling straight for the Abbey with murder on their minds. Now the good animals must band together to fight this terrible invader. For Matthias, that means going on a quest of his own to recover and use the word of the legendary Martin the Warrior. In his own small way, Matthias is the only hope for a land now torn asunder by war.

I had forgotten the sheer amount of story Jacques worked into the first book in the "Redwall" series, something this book was quick to remind me of. I'll admit right now that I haven't reread it since I picked up this new version, but as far as my foggy memory serves this seems to be the whole kit and caboodle (at least in terms of big scenes). Readers unfamiliar with the original book but who love graphic novels may even find themselves surprised at the sheer number of women warriors that crop up. One of the things I've always loved about Jacques and his characters is that he isn't afraid to create strong women. Over and over again the important people in this book surprise the reader by turning out to be female. Illustratior Blevins, to his credit, doesn't go the standard animation route of just slapping eyelashes on anything faintly feminine either, and the result is a more interesting narrative in terms of character and expectations.

In the essence of space, much has been lost in terms of descriptions and smells. Jacques ranks right up there with Laura Ingalls Wilder and Grace Lin when it comes to writing about the true glories of delicious abundant food. Tasty morsels get short shrift in Moore's version though, and that's a true pity. I'm sure that with the right text, illustrator Bret Blevins could whip up delicious baked goods and succulent soups if the need arose. At 148 pages this work is faithful, but I can't help but imagine what would have happened if Philomel had gone all the way and produced a 200+ lush full-color edition with time spent on character and scope. Nothing against the black and white pages, mind you. In this age of flashy computer-drawn hues and tones it was kind of a relief to see the events of this story playing out in good old-fashioned gritty grays and blacks. Still, you get the sense that the 148-page limit should have been pushed a little farther. As I am given to understand it, this adaptation was originally published overseas, so there was little the American publisher Philomel could do once they brought it over. Perhaps if it is successful they'll consider future installments at a more extensive length.

Illustrator Bret Blevins is primarily known for his work with big comic book powerhouses like Marvel and DC Comics, but his style takes many of its cues from real life. For this particular book he would have had to create a rat worthy of Cluny's grotesque evil. Certainly Blevins' work with musculature and action serves him particularly well in the massive battle and action sequences. At the same time, the good guys in this book had to look at least a little tough. It's all well and good to read a story about adorable woodland creatures going to war, but if your characters are too adorable then there isn't any life in them. Blevins does a good job at balancing this all out. So much so, in fact, that I was a little surprised that characters like Silent Sam, the silent baby squirrel, weren't even more adorable. I appreciated the grittiness of the book as well. There really isn't a lot of blood (the death of Asmodeus being an unavoidable exception) but there is a plenty of grit, claws, teeth, and spittle. Blevins never forgets that these are animals, not little people in animal clothing, and the result is a visually stimulating series of panels and full-page spreads.

Plus there's size and proportion to take into account as well. When you have badgers interacting with mice, or foxes alongside shrews then you need to remember how large one animal would be in comparison to another. In Jacques' world, animals wear clothes and walk on their hind legs. That's all well and good, but that would mean that characters like the foxes Sela and Chickenhound would be significantly taller than the rats and mice around them. Blevins then has to fudge the proportions a bit here and there, but the effect is never too distracting.

I noticed that an Amazon reviewer figured that for people unfamiliar with the original book, this graphic novel would be impossible to figure out on one's own. They thought the images here to be difficult to follow. I admit to not having that problem, but I have read the book before so maybe that helped me. Looking at it, the black and white images on the slick shiny paper could be confusing to kids that haven't read graphic novels before. I definitely wouldn't consider this to be a starter GN. Still, for those kids who know their comics and are well-acquainted with following detailed panels and a myriad of different forms and angles, this shouldn't prove to be a difficult read. Blevins does a fine job of distinguishing between one mouse and another, even with this massive cast of characters. In the end, this new "Redwall" is a fun graphic novel and well worth a look to anyone unfamiliar with the very first story. Read the comic, then read the book. There is much to be gained from both.

Editorial Review:

It was meant to be: The classic fantasy adventure that began the Redwall phenomenon is finally available in a cool graphic format. Illustrated by renowned comics artist Bret Blevins, Redwall: The Graphic Novel brings to life all the battles, all the heroes, and all the villains in a fun new format perfect for reluctant readers, those just entering the Redwall world, or the countless existing fans of the series.

The Hello, Goodbye Window

Norton Juster

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 115 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Didn't care for it. 2 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I just don't particularly like it, and neither do my children. The story isn't interesting and the illustrations aren't engaging. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone, and since my copy just takes up space on our bookshelf, I will probably donate it to the next church fund raiser. After all, it's in perfect condition.

Lovely idea 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

What a touching little story! Tis is from the perspective of a little girl who is babysat by her grandparents--and the love between all three is evident and incredible. The writing is charming and will connect with small kids, and the artwork is just a blast.

The Hello, Goodbye Window 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Great illustrations. Wonderful book to give children the opportunity to see how imagination can play into their own world.

Editorial Review:

The kitchen window at Nanna and Poppy's house is, for one little girl, a magic gateway. Everything important happens near it, through it, or beyond it. Told in her voice, her story is both a voyage of discovery and a celebration of the commonplace wonders that define childhood. It is also a love song devoted to that special relationship between grandparents and grandchild.

Santa Calls

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Subjects -> Children's Books -> Authors & Illustrators, A-Z -> ( J ) -> Joyce, William

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 23 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Bizarre and full of hard words 2 out of 5 stars.
2 of 5 people found this review helpful.

Yes, the pictures are skillful, the story is inventive, and the moral is laudable. But neither my daughter (6 yo) nor I particularly enjoyed it. The vocabulary choices are overly challenging for young children, and I found it tedious to stop and explain words every minute or so. Right in the first paragraph, I had to explain the words "singular," "desperadoes," and the phrase "he had applied himself wholeheartedly to the making of inventions..." Huh? What kind of young children are accustomed to expressions like these? Also, I thought the inclusion of dark elves and an evil queen to be a strange vision and unwelcome imagining of the North Pole. Definitely not a keeper for us.

Editorial Review:

Art Atchinson Aimesworth -- inventor, crime fighter, and allaround whiz kid-journeys north with his sister, Esther, and his pal, Spaulding, by special invitation from Santa himself. But why did Santa call? Now available in a new hardcover edition, this truly Joyce-ian crusade features villains and swashbuckling adventure, concluding with a most spectacular and touching Christmas celebration.

A holiday extravaganza like no other, by the creator of Rolie Polie Olie, Snowie Rolie, Sleepy Time Olie, Dinosaur Bob and His Adventures wirh the Family Lazardo, and George Shrinks.

Notable Children's Books of 1994 (ALA)
Best Books of 1993 (SLJ)
1993 Golden Kite Award Honor Book for Illustration (SCBW)
1993 Society of Illustrators Gold Medal
100 Books for Reading and Sharing (NY Public Library)
1993 "Pick of the Lists" (ABA)

The Legend of Luke (Redwall)

Brian Jacques

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 148 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

A young hedgehog maid visits Redwall Abbey and sings a half-remembered song recounting the adventures of a warrior called Luke.  This chance meeting begins a tale of two quests: that of a son to find his father and that of a father to avenge the murder of his beloved wife.

The son is Martin the Warrior, founder of Redwall, who sets forth from the Abbey seeking the truth about the father he barely knew.  His journey takes him home to the northland shore, meeting friends and enemies, old and new, and leading him to an extraordinary shipwreck.  The wreck, the Arfship, is home to three ancient, veteran warriors who have in their possession a dusty old volume.  Inside is the story of Martin's early life and the dramatic account of his father Luke's pursuit of his hated enemy, the pirate stoat, Vilu Daskar.

Brian Jacques' skillful narrative is told in three parts, interweaving the stories of father and son.  Addressing some of the mysteries behind the Abbey's early years, this book provides answers that no Redwall fan will want to miss.


From the Paperback edition.

You're All My Favorites

Sam Mcbratney

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

You're all My Favorites 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This book is a must have for people who have more than one child. I have three and they all enjoy reading this with me. This book came in excellent condition and in two days like they said it would. Thank you!!

A Great Book. 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

We got this book as a gift for our 3yr old daughter, who is soon going to be a big sister. Reading this book reassures her (what we have been telling her all along) that her mommy & daddy would love her and her new sibling just the same. They both would be our favourites. It address the issue that each child is unique and special in their own way, and loved the same by their parents inspite of their differences.

Editorial Review:

Every night, while tucking in their three cubs, Mommy and Daddy Bear tell them they're the most wonderful baby bears in the whole wide world. But one day the three little bears start to wonder: How do Mommy and Daddy know this is true? And even more worrisome to each sibling: What if my parents like my brother or sister better than me?

From the team who brought us the beloved children's classic Guess How Much I Love You comes a tale that answers a timeless question with the ultimate reassurance - and offers the perfect way for parents to remind their own little cubs how very much each one is loved.

Marlfox (Redwall)

Brian Jacques

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 162 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Treacherous Foxes 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

In His novel of Redwall, Marlfox, Marlfoxes, the treacherous brood of Queen Silth, are lurking in Mossflower Woods. I like this novel because Brain Jacques combines adventure and humor. In this book the marlfoxes steal the great tapestry of Redwall Abbey. Songbreeze, Danflor, Barble and Dippler, young woodland creatures, set out to retrieve it. Along the way they face many dangers while back at the abbey there is trouble. Janglur, Songbreeze's father, slays the Marlfox Ziral. The Marlfox code states blood for blood, which means Janglur must be slain. As the creatures of Redwall fight for freedom at home and abroad friends are slain. By the time the tapestry arrives in Castle Marl, the slaves in Castle Marl are just waiting for freedom.

I like this book because of the action, thrilling adventure and how it ends a chapter with our heroes in danger or an exciting part. As in his other Redwall books Brian Jacques takes animals such as mice, hairs and badgers and gives human personalities. He use his imagination to create a world far away where you can only enter with your imagination. He makes you wish you could leave this world and never come back and plunge in to Mossflower Woods and live at Redwall Abbey! If you like fantasy you'll love this book and the rest of the series. Here is a quote from Marlfox,

"If you are traveling cross the flatlands, through the woods, or along the path, you may hear our twin bells. They will be calling you to come and join us, and we would be pleases to see you. Do call in someday, you will be made welcome by all who dwell within our walls.
Rimrose Swifteye,
Apprentice Recorder to Friar Butty
at Redwall Abbey in Mossflower country."

Editorial Review:

Queen Silth rules Castle Marl from behind the curtains of her palanquin. Greedy and vain, she has sent her six children into the world to plunder treasure. Stealth and cunning are the traits of the Marlfox. Known only in Redwall country by legend, they are said to able to appear and disappear by magic. When the strange creatures begin to appear in Mossflower Woods, it is clear that evil is abroad. A kidnapping and a cunning raid to steal the beautiful Redwall tapestry confirm the worst; Redwall is under threat! Three young friends, fated by the prophecy of Martin the Warrior, pursue the villains in a quest of daring, courage and wit to return the beloved tapestry to its home.

The Taggerung (Redwall)

Brian Jacques

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 109 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A Tip 'O the Hat to Mr. Brian Jacques 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

At just three days old, Deyna's father was slain, and he was taken from his family by the Juskarath clan. The Juskarath believed Deyna to be the prophesied "Taggerung," the uber-elite warrior/ruler of all the Juska clans, even though he was an otter born of Redwall Abbey. After fifteen seasons of rigorous training reminiscent of the Spartans, Deyna realized that he wasn't cut out to be a savage killing machine like the rest of his clan. He broke free of them, and ran off to find his true family. But leaving a Juska clan wasn't that easy. Deyna soon found himself being hunted by his archrival, Gruven, and his vicious fellow clanbeasts. He ran for days across the countryside and through the forestlands, and finally met a creature that he grew to call friend. The creature was a harvest mouse by the name of Nimbalo, who himself had a mysterious and painful past. Deyna and Nimbalo traveled to the mountains in hopes of losing Gruven and his band of vermin and instead found an old shrew named Ruskem, who sheltered the two for a night. During the night, Deyna awoke to find Nimbalo yelling in his sleep, reliving the day he left his father's farm. It seemed that Nimbalo's father had beat him, and that's why he packed up and left. The pair left when morning came, and continued on through the mountains, only to find Gruven's gang yet again. Gruven caused a rockslide that killed several hundred pigmy shrews, even though they were meant to kill Deyna. Nimbalo and Deyna helped the shrews to bury their dead, and then continued on to find a hedgehog named Robald trapped in a mudball. The big otter freed Robald, and followed him back to his home. Robald was due to visit his Great-Aunt Lollery, who lived along the riverbank, so the pair accompanied him as sort of bodyguards. Unfortunately for Robald, he had chosen to visit at the same time as his rowdy country cousins, the Dillypins. Deyna ended up making an enemy out of the leader Dillypin, Jurkin, shortly after arrival. He and Jurkin settled their disagreement with a round of spiketussling, a hedgehog form of wrestling. Jurkin accepted Deyna as an equal, and offered to ferry them down the river towards Redwall Abbey. The Dillypin raft soon came upon the watermeadows, a favorite place of the Dillypin children. Nimbalo went off on his own, and Deyna took a long time finding him. But he was finally found, in his father's farmhouse, standing over his father's corpse. Nimbalo said that he was already slain when he arrived, with a mortal wound that could only have been caused by his father's own axe. A little sadder, the pair returned to the raft and set sail again, to stop at the edge of Mossflower Wood. Jurkin accompanied them a little ways in, but had to return to the raft. Deyna and Nimbalo kept on through Mossflower, and eventually came upon Redwall Abbey, where they were promptly mistaken for vermin and taken captive. It so happened that the Abbey was currently under siege by Gruven's lot, and they wanted the Abbey to hand over the Taggerung. Deyna desperately pleaded to be set free to kill the vermin, and the abbeybeasts complied. Deyna grabbed the sword of Martin the Warrior in his mad dash outside to get to the vermin. Swinging the big sword, he charged straight into the cluster of vermin, taking three arrows to the chest, and slew every last one of them. Deyna finally ended his killing spree several miles down the road, and was found by Redwall's Skipper of Otters. Skipper took him back to Redwall, where his mother Filorn and his sister Mhera saw their long lost son and brother for the first time in sixteen seasons. Filorn suggested that Deyna be taken to Rukky Garge, the otter healer, to heal him, of course, but to also remove all the tattoos covering his face. The process took a good week, but when Rukky had finished, he was even better than new. With renewed strength, Deyna and Skipper returned to Redwall. Filorn and Mhera raced out of the front gates to meet Deyna, who ran equally as fast to meet them, and all three collapsed in a joyful heap on the path.

Taggerung by Brian Jacques is a marvelous epic of one otter's journey home. This book is stunningly lifelike, even though the characters are talking animals.

All of Brian Jacques' eighteen Redwall novels have kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire story. The books are chock full of verisimilar creatures that truly cause you to feel sad if they die or become mortally wounded. Mr. Jacques has a certain knack for captivating readers of all times and ages with his entertaining narratives of delectable foods, such as turnip 'n' tater 'n' beetroot pie, and the most exotic beverages, like the delightful strawberry fizz.

The Redwall books have been my ultimate favorite book series since I first picked up the very first book, Redwall. Ever since, I have encouraged my friends and family to read them, but they just brush them aside because of "talking animals." Although the animals talk, these books are certainly not fit for very young children to read. The battle descriptions are quite graphic, and some references to alcohol brewed in the Abbey could be deemed inappropriate.

Out of all the Redwall books, Taggerung is my all-time favorite, because of the organization of the clans. The book follows the Redwall tradition of mindbending puzzles and nonsensical rhymes, and also has vagrant healers and bloodthirsty clan leaders. I suppose that's what keeps me hooked, but I'm honestly unable to completely explain why I love it so much. I know that's kind of a pitiful explanation, but it's the honest truth.

Anyhow, Taggerung is a novel well worth the read, even if you're a newcomer to the series. It is, in my opinion, Brian Jacques' absolute best work, hands down.

-C. Edwards

Editorial Review:

The fourteenth saga in the epic Redwall series -- now in paperback.

Where the power of a Redwall heritage is proved to be stronger than that of an evil incarcerator.

A baby otter is kidnapped from Redwall Abbey by the Juska, a ruthless band of villains who believe he is a Taggerung -- a legendary animal said to have supernatural fighting skills. Their leader, Sawney Rath, raises the young otter as his own son, and trains him to be a ruthless killer. But the Redwall spirit cuts deep and as the Taggerung reaches adolescence he begins to dream of another life.


From the Paperback edition.

The Long Patrol (Redwall)

Brian Jacques

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 197 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

One of his best. 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

First off i want to say I am a hard critic of the Redwall series because I believe they are becoming very repetitive. This book however is a breath of fresh air, differnt from all the rest. This is easily his best in my book, along with Martin the Warrior and The Bellmaker.

Yet another great story from Jacques! 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

The Long Patrol was a typical Redwall book, displaying good vs. evil. This book centered on the famous Long Patrol and I really liked how the hares were portrayed and emphasized in this book. The only problem I had with The Long Patrol is that it wasn't as captivating as some of the other Redwall books. It seemed a little anti-climactic to me, but it was still a very good book. The best thing is that you don't have to be a little kid to enjoy this book (or any other Redwall book)!!

Editorial Review:

Damug Warfang, head of a thousand Rapscallions - the deadliest horde of foe beasts ever to jump from ship to store - is looking for slaughter and plunder. Can any beast stand against the conqueror and his savage troops? Tammo's dream comes true when he is given the chance to run with the Long Patrol, the legendary fighting hares of Salamandastron...

Loamhedge: A Tale from Redwall (Firebird)

Brian Jacques

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Total reviews: 54 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Loamhedge 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Super!!! Brian Jacques is the BEST!!!!!! Action-packed animated series!!!!!!!! Interesting Setting & Lovable characters!!!!

Correct Review of a Great Book 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I believe that many of the reviews are misleading. Many complain about the book not being about loamhedge itself (I didn't expect it to be anyway), but that's not a reason for giving a book a bad review. Let's look at the book itself. I have read all but the most recent Redwall book and I have to say this was very good. Here's why:

I'm not going to give the story and spoil everything, but you can read some of the other reviews if you want to. Compared to a number of other Redwall books, this book had a very interesting plot. Many Redwall books (Triss is a perfect stereotype of this) are centered around a hero who eventually inherits Martin's sword and slays the evil warlord of the horde that is attacking Redwall with not much else standing out. Loamhedge follows this somewhat, but it has a very interesting main plot which has almost nothing to do with the evil attacking hordes. It was a very refreshing Redwall book to me.

I agree that Martha's brother and his friends were pretty annoying, but I enjoyed seeing them learn their lessons from two awsome characters. At the end of the story, the trio of troublemakers turn into descent and likable creatures and the reader feels like it was a realistic and substantial change. This had some of the better character developement that Jaques has produced.

This book also has some characters that I really enjoyed. There were two old codgers that are actually battle-hardened warriors with much wisdom in their experience. These were very likable creatures who gave the story and very likable flavor. By the way, a codger is not an animal it is a saying for anyone who didn't know :D

There were a few things that weren't very strong in this book. I don't like the treatment of the group of villians very much; however, the pirate captian was done well. I like how he actually defeated a badger in combat (with his crew helping of course). However, he was not the greatest of the badguys. I would like to see a story that brings back the Wearat. Perhaps he becomes a real tyrant and not just a visitor like the wolverine in Rakkety Tam. But don't expect to see much of the wearat in this book. I say this so that anyone reading the book won't be dissapointed, just be patient and you'll see. It would have been much better if the wearat were more involved with the rest of the story. The main weakness in the book has to be that many potentially intersting things (like the river captian guy early in the story) are not really given much significance and the reader is not able to really make an emotional connection with many of these characters unlike many other Redwall books that bring you very close to many of the characters.

Anyway, aside from a few complaints, this was a great book. I definately don't consider it as highly as my favorites Taggerung, Martin the Warrior, Outcast of Redwall, The Bellmaker, Legends of Luke, the Long Patrol, and of course the original Redwall that started it all. I still think this is the best of the average Redwall books. This is coming from a college student too, so don't think that this book is too childish for you. I have a friend who started reading Redwall in college and he likes them a lot. The series of Redwall including this book of course is definately not just for kids.

Editorial Review:

Martha, a wheelchair-bound haremaid, is sure that the secret to her cure is to be found at ancient Loamhedge Abbey. Two old warriors are inspired to quest for the ancient place—and three young rebels are determined to go with them. Meanwhile, the giant badger Lonna Bowstripe thirsts for vengeance against the searat Taga Bol and his crew, and it takes him to the gates of Redwall. This is a Redwall adventure to remember!

Comet in Moominland (Moomintrolls)

Tove Jansson

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 20 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Unmissable Finnish Wonderland 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Have you never read Tove Jansson's "Moominland" books? Just as soon as you've finished this review, shut down the computer, find copies and read them immediately. Read them, whether you're 8, 38 or 88.

Why is she so good? She created characters whom we recognise and believe in at once, even when they look like small white hippopotamuses, a rustic scarecrow or a bloated aardvark. They live in a world that is unpredictable, peculiar, higgledy-piggledy, wondrous, fragile and as real as a pile of bricks.

She is funny without trying and, like A.A. Milne, describes foibles and clashes that we have all witnessed. She can sustain a tone of child-like inconsequence, delight in the ordinary and lack of surprise at the utterly surprising, that only rare luminaries of children's writing (Lewis Carroll, Hugh Lofting) have ever managed.

And when she wants to, all of a sudden, she can shine a beam of pure poetry on the mystery, the loneliness, the terror, the strangeness of being alive. The Hattifatteners, part worm, part axolotl, part spook, who endlessly wander the world in a mob in quest of something unknown, and who become dangerous to touch during a thunderstorm, are one of the marvels of fiction.

Every title in the series should be read, but this is my favourite. If all of my books were about to be drowned in the deluge and I had a choice between rescuing this, or "War and Peace", or "Crime and Punishment", sorry Leo, sorry Fyodor, this is the one I would save.

Editorial Review:

When Moomintroll learns that a comet will be passing by, he and his friend Sniff travel to the Observatory on the Lonely Mountains to consult the Professors. Along the way, they have many adventures, but the greatest adventure of all awaits them when they learn that the comet is headed straight for their beloved Moominvalley.