How does something like Wuffle even exist, let alone succeed in today’s internet? Among a sea of comics that wouldn’t likely even meet [adult swim]’s standards policy, here we have one that not only could fit in perfectly on the Disney Junior schedule, but has gained a decent following perhaps both in spite of and because of it. Distributed via public domain in a relatively uncommon move, it revolves around the misadventures of an anthropomorphic wolf working on a farm and engaging in old school cartoon slapstick.
Actually, Wuffle was initially supposed to be a video game where the title character would defend his forest from three capitalist pigs looking to take it over. After that fell through, creator Piti Yindee held on to his oversized fuzzy protagonist and transferred him into comic strip form. Instead of fighting villains, he goes around helping any random townsperson that might need it. He always means well, but his inability to say “no” to certain things he probably should provides a lot of hijinks.
Wuffle’s friends include a Danny DeVito-ish hedgehog named Puipui, who farms to control his anger issues. This doesn’t seem to be working so far, sadly. Considering how care free Sonic tends to be, why doesn’t he take up running instead? Unlike their high-spirited rabbit pal Debbita, he could really use the exercise.
There’s also a rich bratty baker kid named Foxxo that spends his free time strutting around the village in expensive and douchey looking suits in order to bolster his (probably low) self esteem. He’s an adorable antagonist character in the spoiled brat archetype, reminiscent of perhaps Montana Max from Tiny Toons.
Wuffle’s humor engages in a lot of city slicker versus naïve hick dynamics. It never becomes too forced since all of the cast barring perhaps Foxxo, who is only an antagonist by default, are fairly good natured in spite of their faults. No one is ever too much of a jerk, there’s always this happy and lovable atmosphere.
Speaking of atmosphere, it’s a very nice comic to look at. The colors are very warm and the art style makes almost every character look like a giant plush toy. Yindee is admittedly heavily influenced by Osamu Tezuka, and while he didn’t pick up the dark tone of much of his subject matter, he at least got his widened limbs.
A surprising amount of funny animal comics have a reputation for pushing the envelope, but Wuffle is about as uncontroversial as a comic of any subgenre could possibly be. However, that doesn’t translate into blandness by any means, it’s genuinely funny with a lot of heart to it. Its lack of a copyright seems almost as naïve as its main character, but also kinda admirable in a way. Easily recommended, so head here and drown yourself in some cuteness- the doctor storyline is especially great.