In DUMPLINGS, Opposites Don’t Just Attract, They Thrive
Just this September, Dumplings by Victor Van Acker premiered on Comics Kingdom and joined our lineup of daily comics. This family-friendly comic with adorable minimalistic art focuses on a 10-year-old girl named Dani Diaz and her sweet, clueless pup Benny.
When the two aren’t spending time together, Dani usually has her hands tied with dragging her best friend, Franny, into a bunch of extracurriculars. Meanwhile, Benny, being left to his own devices, can often be found in a mountain of trouble with an equally clueless cat named Mac.
Victor’s stories and drawings of these cute animals originally started as a way to entertain his family when his children were small. His art eventually evolved into the Dumplings comic strip once he sold his ice cream stand that had been in his family for 15 years. His experiences no doubt inspired the development of these likable characters he created and the bigger themes about friendship that get explored through these characters.
The opposites-attract-style friendship is a common motif within Dumplings. Benny and Mac appear to be opposite in style, with Mac bordering on overconfidence and Benny frequently looking for reassurance. But, in reality, the two are just a pair of innocent fur babies trying to find their places in the world.
In the same vein, Dani and Franny are also opposites; Franny is content making solid Ds in school, while Dani is the overachieving student council president. By displaying how one person’s differences can complement another’s — sometimes pushing someone closer to their full potential — Dumplings skillfully encourages a beautiful message about inclusion and diversity.
So, get yourself a good dose of Dumplings every day here at Comics Kingdom!
