Can a girl ask for more than a cutesy comic about a baked bean in a large hat? I think not. Introducing Bean Jr., a story about a man with a hefty hat and plenty of determination to get to his favourite fast food restaurant before it goes out of business. Written and illustrated by Ollie Wollerman, a background/prop designer and artist, Bean Jr. is one of the many fantastic indie comics available at 2025’s online ShortBox Comics Fair for the duration of October.
In the opening pages of Bean Jr., fluffy clouds part to welcome the reader. In Nimbostratus village, nestled between some beautifully round houses that are stacked like a snowman, is a teeny garage, with a tiny, round green car inside (immediately reminding me of Richard Scarry’s Lowley Worm and his iconic apple car). Enter a man who looks like a walking baked bean; a chap with a hat so imposingly large, it has to fold itself almost in half to even fit through the car door. It’s a big day for little Bean; his last meal at the Bean Barn. “Why must such a tragedy occur?” I can hear readers wailing. Well, Bean explains, “I guess running a legume-based fast food franchise in the sky is a real tall order.” And he rather has a point.
Taking second place to the main storyline of Bean venturing to the Bean Barn, but still worthy of a shout out, is the humour Wollerton uses throughout the comic as we follow Bean; from the land of ‘RLLYGOODLAWYERS.COM’ featuring flying pigs, to Bean spitting out random facts about altitude, to buff frogs appearing on billboards advertising car insurance, not a single opportunity passed where Wollerton did not showcase his wit, and also highlight the wonderful whimsy of the world he has crafted.
While it’s impossible to say more about this 28-page delight without entering into spoiler territory, Bean Jr., much like the aforementioned Bean Barn, has a bit of everything for everyone. A dash of humour there, a slice of self-depreciation, a sprinkle of existentialism and a spoonful of magic, and voila! Much like the perfect fast food combo of the bean jr. meal, with a side of onion rings, a medium diet pepper and of course, one order of the teeny weeny beanys, you’ve got yourself a rather satisfying concoction.
Cartoonish, cute and vibrant, Bean Jr. is just the hilarious pick-me-up needed for a chilly autumn evening. Bean Jr. is available for the duration of October from the online ShortBox Comics Fair.
Ollie Wollerman (W/A) • ShortBox Comics Fair, £5.00
Review by Lydia Turner
