Ziggy Zig-Zags the Light and Dark Fantastic, Volume 1

“Ziggy Zig-Zags the Light and Dark Fantastic, Volume 1” is a fantasy graphic novel with a story and scripting by awarded author Ron Baxley, Jr., art by renowned Oz artist Vincent Myrand, and layout and lettering by Ali Tavakoly (who has also done work in the comics industry). Ziggy, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi based on Ron’s shelter-adopted emotional support dog of the same breed, is one of many steeds of the elves in Wales and is the elves’ chosen champion for great quests. (According to Welsh mythology, in fact, the markings around many Pembroke Welsh Corgis’ heads and around their necks indicated that small saddles and stirrups were once on their bodies and that the Corgis were used as horses by the elves and faeries). As a steed, with his saddle like a super hero cape, Ziggy is chosen by the elves to rescue various characters in different fantasy worlds, including Neverland, Oz, and Wonderland. He even has adventures in the modern reality of the “Out World” including with a figure fictionally attached to World War II. During Ziggy’s quests, he is pursued by the Dark Elf, a fallen elf from the Welsh woods, and other foes. Like Baxley, Jr., he contends with anxiety during his quests. Ziggy wears a silver dog tag with the elven runes for valor and even anxiety written there. Whether he can evade his foe has to do largely with how he contends with his anxiety and holds with faith.