Bensons Cuckoos

Richard thinks hes in luck when he snags a job at the cuckoo-clock factory, but things start to go wrong right off the bat. First of all theres his boss, who doesnt seem to have the strongest grip on reality and has an odd penchant for silly hats. Then there are his coworkers, who are alternately evasive and idiotic when asked about anything pertaining to actually getting work done. Finally theres George, the employee Richards replacing, who supposedly quit but whose family has just appeared on national TV pleading for his safe return. Its all adding up to a very strange workplace, and when the company goes on a retreat, everything spools quickly out of control.

     From the author of Anna and Froga comes a wry, offbeat whodunnit that centers on office life. Anouk Ricards subtle, sardonic humor undermines the characters desperate attempts to be taken seriously, as they bungle kidnappings, misunderstand social cues, and let petty disagreements become feuds. Ricards dim-witted characters aspire to deviousness but miss their mark, remaining firmly in the domain of slapstick. With cleverly observed dialogue, charming artwork, and brilliantly over-the-top plotting, Bensons Cuckoos will delight the adult fans of Ricards comics for kids.

“Anna and Froga . . . is so damned delightful that a review can hardly do it justice. Its perfect for kids, but the cartooning chops and clever humor should please anybody. Anybody.” —North Adams Transcript

Anouk Ricard is an author, artist, and stop-motion animator who was born in the south of France. She began the Anna and Froga series in 2004. The book collections of the comic have received widespread acclaim, and Ricard has received multiple nominations for the Best Book Award at the Angoulême International Comics Festival. She lives in Lyon, France.