Portage & Main Press
When exploring Brandon Mitchell’s Adventures of the Pugulatmu’j graphic novel series for young readers, it’s best to begin with the first volume. I had to find a copy to understand how it all started before diving into volume two, The Search for Gluscap, which came out last month (May 5). In particular, I wanted to learn how Mali first met Puug, a guardian of the woods. Without that context, jumping in with a later volume is not quite the same as watching a film series, where important events are often recounted early in the narrative.
What makes this series appealing is how naturally it presents Mi’gmaw culture and daily life in New Brunswick, where the tale takes place. Rather than treating tradition as something distant or historical, Mitchell shows a living world where ancient beliefs remain intertwined with the present. The series also trusts that readers have been following the story since book one rather than pausing to repeat key details. Once I realized that within the first few pages, I knew I had to stop, find the first volume at a local library, or simply buy it.
Continue reading “The Search for Gluscap Proves Not Every Giant Is Paul Bunyan”