Review by Elizabeth C. Bunce
At first glance, Christian Watson’s new book How Lucky Am I might strike some readers as a little bit morbid, with its skeletal main character leading the reader through thoughtful observations on life and death. Or it might appeal to other readers’ Goth sensibilities, with its moody artwork and unflinching confrontation of mortality. Wherever you land, Watson has something to say about our fleeting journey in this plane of existence, and accompanies his message with poignant illustrations full of beauty and pathos.
Author-illustrator Watson is the artist behind 1924 Studios and his internet-famous character Mr. Skelly—a lively skeleton drawn as a friendly guide and family man, er, bones. The philosophy is simple: underneath all the worries, strife, and differences, we’re all built from the same bones—and those bones (and the mortality they represent) are nothing to fear. Mr. Skelly jaunts through a richly-drawn world of camping trips, work at a bakery, and strolls amid meadow and seaside, offering gentle and uplifting observations about life’s disappointments and the strangely fortunate directions they can inspire.
Throughout the single-panel, meme-like pages, Watson pauses for longer essays and reflections on his general message of not fearing death and using the fact that life ends as a reason to fully embrace every moment, good and bad. Mr. Skelly stands out bright and cartoonish against luminous naturalistic backgrounds packed with beautiful detail, inviting readers to look deeper and revisit the deceptively simple volume.
Here are more pages from the book:
With evocative artwork and an engaging if unusual hero, How Lucky Am I offers readers a soothing glimpse into the sometimes-frightening corners of existence, reminding us that we’re all on the same journey, for good or ill—and we might as well make the most of it. From publisher Clarkson Potter/Penquin Random House, How Lucky Am I is available for pre-order now here at Amazon or add it to your pull list at Elite Comics or your favorite comic shop now. It’s slated for release July 28, 2026.
