EYES ON HUNT THE LITTLEST UMBRELLA
Hunt the Littlest Umbrella is a spooky tale of a father-daughter duo in a world where the supernatural is becoming normal.
Mysterious sightings of strange, otherworldly creatures with unnatural abilities flood the news, linked to the unexplained disappearances of hikers deep in the forests of the Western United States. Rumors spread—could one of these beings be the detective’s long-lost daughter, who has somehow gone feral? And if so, why is she targeting unsuspecting trekkers? More importantly, can anyone stop her before it’s too late?
The latest case for the Umbrella Detective Agency takes readers on a thrilling journey into the unknown, where every clue unravels a deeper mystery. But this isn’t where the story begins. It all started with The Case of the Little Umbrella, followed by another baffling case tied to the same enigma. Now, it’s time to uncover the truth behind this chilling new mystery. Are you ready to step into the shadows and follow the trail?
THE CREATIVE TEAM
Hunt the Littlest Umbrella is the latest installment in the popular The Littlest Umbrella comic book series, consisting so far of The Case of the Littlest Umbrella, Another Case of the Littlest Umbrella. Along with the main comics, we also have the mini-comic/ashcan “The Great Pet Debacle”.
The series was created by the YouTube personality That Umbrella Guy (TUG), illustrated and lettered by S.K. Bennett. TUG is a YouTube personality known for covering pop culture, comics, and legal cases involving celebrities. With a focus on media bias and industry controversies, TUG gained significant attention for his in-depth analysis of high-profile lawsuits, particularly the Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard case.
The mini-comic was written by TUG and Lola with art by Mark Marianelli (Six AM Comics) and lettering by Cal Jameson. The Case of the Littlest Umbrella contains 2 bonus short stories illustrated and lettered by Peter Gilmore with cover art by Kueng Lee.
THE BOOKS
The main book is a 54-page stapled graphic novel printed in color containing the credit page, a 3-page prologue, and the main story. The Case of the Little’s Umbrella is printed in black and white, containing an introduction page, the main story, and two short bonus stories, “The Case of the Little’s Dino” and “Escape from Dino Island”. Another case for the littlest umbrella contains a credit page and the main story.
HUNT THE LITTLEST UMBRELLA: A COMIC BOOK ADVENTURE OF MYSTERY AND FAMILY
Step into a world of shadows, secrets, and heart—the latest chapter in the Littlest Umbrella saga brings a gripping tale of mystery and adventure. In this thrilling issue, we rejoin a determined detective and his spirited daughter, affectionately known as the Littlest Umbrella, as their close-knit bond is tested by the unknown.
When the Littlest Umbrella vanishes without a trace, whispers of strange creatures and reports of missing hikers begin to surface from the surrounding wilderness. What begins as a routine investigation quickly spirals into a dangerous hunt filled with eerie landscapes, cryptic clues, and supernatural threats.
Driven by love and desperation, the detective must brave the uncharted, confront fears both real and imagined, and unravel a chilling mystery that challenges everything he thought he knew. Along the way, readers are treated to richly drawn characters, atmospheric artwork, and a story that skillfully balances edge-of-your-seat suspense with touching moments of family loyalty.
Perfect for fans of noir-style storytelling, supernatural twists, and emotional depth, Hunt the Littlest Umbrella is more than a comic; it’s a family adventure that blends elements of mystery, suspense, and family bonds, making it a compelling read for comic book enthusiasts of all ages.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Themes and Significance
At its core, Hunt the Littlest Umbrella explores themes of family, trust, and resilience. The father-daughter dynamic adds emotional depth, highlighting how far a parent will go to protect their child. Additionally, the comic cleverly incorporates classic detective tropes with supernatural twists, offering readers an engaging storyline that balances heartwarming moments with thrilling action.
Character Development
One of the series’ standout features is the inclusion of fictionalized versions of TUG’s family. The Littlest Umbrella Girl (LUG), based on his oldest daughter, brings a unique personal touch to the narrative. This connection between creator and content adds authenticity, allowing readers to feel more invested in the characters and their journey.
The series also expands its universe through ashcan comics illustrated by Six AM Comics. These additions introduce new characters and storylines, enriching the overarching narrative and providing fans with deeper insights into the world of The Littlest Umbrella.
Visual Artistry
S.K. Bennett’s illustrations bring the story to life with detailed artwork that captures both the suspenseful and heartwarming elements of the narrative. The diverse cover art options offered during the crowdfunding campaign showcase various artistic interpretations, catering to different preferences within the fanbase. The visual style plays a crucial role in enhancing the storytelling, with atmospheric scenes and expressive character designs that draw readers into the world of Hunt the Littlest Umbrella.
CROWDFUNDING
Campaign
Launched on Indiegogo in March 2022, the campaign Hunt the Littlest Umbrella far surpassed its funding goals, demonstrating the strong community support for independent comic book creators, allowing creators to connect directly with their audience and deliver content that resonates with readers.
Around that, the Amber Heard/Johnny Depp trial is when I started listening to Tug’s takes on the case, and it’s where I learn about his comic book series. The campaign offered various perks to backers, including multiple cover variants, black-and-white editions, mini-comics, and exclusive artwork as bonus items. Followers of the campaign received a secret link to support the campaign.
I chose the Monster bundle, which contains the main book, The Case for the Littlest Umbrella with a new exclusive Kueng Lee cover, the sequel books Another Case for the Littlest Umbrella with a new S.K. Bennet cover, Cover A and Cover B of the main book, the mini-comic, and a sketch card.
Experience
When the Amber Heard/Johnny Depp trial ended, I left and consequently forgot about this project. It didn’t help that the campaign email updates were not frequent. So, it was a surprise when I received an email with the tracking number for the package on October 2nd, 2024.
The package received contained 3 copies of the main book, The Case for The Little Umbrella, another case of The Littlest Umbrella, The Great Pet Debacle, and a Littlest Umbrella’s sticker. The books were not bagged and boarded, but were fortunately in good condition when I opened the package. I’m not sure if the bonus items were not part of the perk I chose (can’t remember) or if they forgot about it. Since the campaign updates were not that frequent, it’s hard to tell when the deadline was established and whether or not it was completed as expected. I simply did not know when the books were done and fulfillment started.
Personally, I sometimes find it challenging to receive packages due to how customs operates and the various fees involved, such as transport, duties, and taxes. Because of that, I prefer not to go back and forth too much. I just hope the process will improve for future projects.
One area that could really benefit from improvement is communication with backers, especially for creators coming from the YouTube space. It’s important to keep in mind that not all backers will watch every video or stay up to date with all the content. Ideally, updates should be shared through multiple channels like email and other social media platforms to ensure everyone stays informed.
FINAL THOUGHTS
In times when stand-up father figures are lacking, “Hunt the Littlest Umbrella” stands out as a unique story that illustrates the bond between a little girl and her father. The successful crowdfunding campaign reflects the demand for original content and the importance of community-driven projects in today’s entertainment industry.
For readers seeking a story that combines mystery, adventure, and family themes with stunning visuals, Hunt the Littlest Umbrella is a must-read. As the series continues to grow, it promises more thrilling tales and heartfelt moments that will keep fans eagerly anticipating future installments. I hope to see the team reach new readers by having an online store or website so they don’t have to wait for the completion of the most recent book. Stories like these are worth reading.
For more interesting titles, check GRAPHIC NOVELS under the “EYES ON” series I documented my experience with crowdfunding entertainment and shared my notes on the products I received.
My notes are all set. Let me know what you think.
See you on the next page!
