Herobear and the Kid Vol. 1: The Inheritance

by Mike Kunkel

Overview

Created by two time Eisner-award winner Mike Kunkel, Herobear and the Kid by Mike Kunkel is a nostalgic, all-ages comic book series that combines adventure, heart, and a touch of magic.

After his grandfather passes away, 10-year-old Tyler inherits an old stuffed toy bear and a broken pocket watch. If moving to a new town and dealing with bullies wasn't enough, he soon learns that things aren't always what they seem...and that you shouldn't judge a bear by its cover. Join Tyler as he goes on his amazing childhood adventure and learns the truth about his family heritage. With animation-style, expressive artwork and a story that appeals to both kids and grown-ups alike, Herobear and the Kid is a fun, uplifting journey from two time Eisner-award winner Mike Kunkel, that celebrates the wonder of childhood and the magic of a best friend.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781545820339
Publisher:	Papercutz
Publication date:	09/02/2025
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	7 - 12 Years

About the Author

Mike Kunkel wanted to be a cartoonist ever since he was a little kid. And with over 30-years experience, he has continued to do what he dreamed of . . . create and tell cartoon stories for audiences. As a four-time Eisner and Ignatz Award nominee, Mike is best known for his two-time Eisner-winning series Herobear and the Kid. He also helped relaunch DC’s SHAZAM as an all-ages comic series. As a Story Artist, Character Designer, Animator and Director, Mike has contributed to animated TV shows, films, games, and branding, winning the ANNIE AWARD for “Best Character Design in an Animated Television Production." His work spans major studios such as Warner Bros, Nickelodeon, Sony, DreamWorks, Sesame Workshop, and Disney. Mike lives in Southern California, where he enjoys learning magic tricks, creating cartoons, and playing games with his family. He’s never been early for a deadline.

Editorial Reviews

2025-07-07
A boy inherits a very special stuffed bear in Kunkel’s superhero graphic novel, originally published in 2003.

After young Tyler’s grandpa dies, the boy, his parents, and his younger sister, Katie, move into their inherited new home in the small town of Simpleton, which comes with the services of a butler named Henry. Katie and Tyler also receive smaller inheritances; for Katie, it’s a strange mechanical device, and, for Tyler, it’s a broken pocket watch and a stuffed polar bear. Disappointed, Tyler puts the gifts away, unsure what to do with them. The next day, he misses his school bus, and things continue to go badly from there, as his quick, wry wit causes trouble with the class bullies, the Bullio brothers. Tyler knows that, often, his “mouth gets waaay ahead of [his] brain,” yet he continues to goad the bullies until they beat him up at recess. Frustrated, the youngster takes his anger out on the stuffed bear, smacking it in the nose—which grows into a real, life-sized, talking polar bear with a cape. The boy soon learns that the animal is, in fact, a superhero named HeroBear. Tyler, using a secret identity (“The Kid”), starts fighting crime with HeroBear after the “broken” watch alerts them to a robot terrorizing Simpleton. During his adventures, the boy struggles with speaking before thinking and learns the power of belief. The story and art style are reminiscent of classic newspaper comics, such as Charles M. Schulz’sPeanuts and Bill Watterson’sCalvin and Hobbes, which also feature precocious children with animal companions. Kunkel tackles serious, weighty themes, such as grief, but packages them in an accessible and charming grayscale art style that’s heavy on linework. The only color in the book is the red of HeroBear’s cape, accentuating the fun and fantastic nature of the character. Some aspects feel dated, such as comments on Tyler’s friend Elmo’s weight. For the most part, though, it’s an enjoyable work that will appeal to kids today as much as it did some two decades ago.

A thoughtful, charming comic that pays tribute to works of the past.

Kirkus Reviews