The Smurfs: A New Beginning Review (Papercutz)
Summary: New Smurfs, new village and the Spice Smurfs!
4.5
Spice Smurfs
Papercutz’s new graphic novel, The Smurfs: A New Beginning, is a charming and fresh adventure that captures the timeless appeal of Peyo’s classic creations. As a result, this book successfully blends the familiar warmth of the original stories with a new cast of characters and exciting challenges, making it an enjoyable read for both longtime Smurfs fans and those discovering the little blue community for the first time. It’s a delightful blue tail tale that honors the past while embracing the future with the title perfectly capturing this new chapter.
The story ignites when a sudden calamity reduces Smurf Village to ruins. Stripped of home and hearth, Papa Smurf rallies the Smurfs, led primarily by the spirited duo of Smurfwillow and Smurfette to embark on a perilous quest for a new home. Along the way, they encounter a monstrous Growlers, navigate twisting caverns haunted by a giant spider, cross enchanted forests and confront internal tensions as personalities clash, proving that unity requires more than shared goals. This balance of external threats and interpersonal growth keeps the narrative brisk and emotionally resonant, turning a straightforward journey into an odyssey about trust, leadership and hope that Smurfs do best.
While Papa Smurf provides fatherly wisdom as does his counterpart Smurfwillow, Smurfette’s courage and empathy knit the group together when fear and doubt creep in and Brainy—ever the know-it-all—supplies comic relief and unexpected problem-solving, even if his advice sometimes backfires hilariously. New faces like Blossom and Stormy each stand out with distinct motivations and quirks, enriching the Smurf tapestry without overshadowing the originals. Thankfully every personality gets its moment to shine, ensuring that readers feel invested in both the triumphs and the stumbles.
Like the classic Peyo stories, the Smurfs demonstrate that community overcomes adversity when each member contributes their unique gift, leadership requires listening and adapting as much as issuing orders and true courage means stepping forward despite fear. The emphasis on teamwork and creative problem-solving makes this graphic novel more than lighthearted fun—it’s a gentle lesson in empathy and resilience – which is where the art shines!
French artist Tebo’s illustrations elevate the entire experience. His color palettes shift dramatically to match mood, moving from luminous greens in safe glades to muted grays in shadowed tunnels. Panel layouts break free of rigid grids, using splash pages and diagonal borders to heighten urgency during chase scenes. Subtle visual gags add to the story telling, including the fusion of old-school charm and contemporary design that ensures every page feels alive and full of surprises.
Final Thoughts
The Smurfs: A New Beginning is a triumphant revival of a timeless world. Richly illustrated, thoughtfully paced, and brimming with heart, it stands as both a love letter to longtime devotees and an irresistible invitation for new readers. Grab your copy, settle i, and prepare to smile at every turn of these brilliantly blue pages with The Smurfs: A New Beginning!
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