Are you a pet lover with a sense of humor? Then get ready to explore a galaxy far, far away with Jejo S.’s delightful comic series, ‘Me, The Family Pet?’ This imaginative series takes a unique spin on the pet-owner relationship, flipping the script in a way that’s both hilarious and heartwarming. Imagine humans as the cherished family pets of a kind alien race – sound intriguing? It’s a concept that’s captured the hearts of many, and we think you’ll adore the adventures of Sally, a human living as a pet on the planet Gwan, and her quirky alien family.
But what exactly makes ‘Me, The Family Pet?’ so special? In her own words, Jejo describes her creation as “heartfelt, hilarious, and hopeful.” The heart of the comic lies in its exploration of love, family, and friendship found in the most unexpected of places. The humor springs from the wonderfully absurd premise: humans as pets to aliens. However, this isn’t your typical alien invasion story. The Gwanians, the alien species in ‘Me, The Family Pet?’, are a nurturing and loving race who simply want to bring happiness to their human companions. Adding to the charm is Sally, the main character, a wonderfully sarcastic and dry-witted human, much like a certain famous cartoon cat we all know and love. In a world that often feels divided, ‘Me, The Family Pet?’ offers a hopeful perspective, celebrating humanity – quirks and all. From the Gwanian viewpoint, our imperfections are what make us so endearing, and yes, they even think we’re incredibly cute!
The inspiration behind ‘Me, The Family Pet?’ is as charming as the comics themselves. Jejo shares that her real-life cat, Buddah, plays a significant role in sparking ideas for her jokes. Drawing from her own experiences as a pet owner, as well as stories from friends, family, and fans of the comic, she creates relatable and humorous situations. The series also cleverly incorporates “human pet” tropes found in other media, such as ‘Fantastic Planet’ and ‘Alien Stage,’ but with a distinctly wholesome and positive twist. For the rich storytelling and imaginative world-building of planet Gwan, Jejo draws inspiration from the works of Hayao Miyazaki, envisioning landscapes and creatures reminiscent of the visually stunning worlds of films like ‘Spirited Away.’
The genesis of ‘Me, The Family Pet?’ is a testament to childhood imagination. Jejo recounts that the initial idea struck her during a childhood detention! Tasked with writing an essay about aliens, her mother encouraged her to let her imagination run wild. This led to the question: “What if aliens treated humans the way we treat our pets?” Inspired by her dog, Pepper, she created a short illustrated book featuring Sally, the human pet, and her alien family. This seed of an idea stayed with her, and years later, meeting her husband’s cat, Buddah, reignited the concept. In 2020, amidst the pandemic, she began crafting comics about Sally in a Garfield-esque style. Over time, the series evolved into a captivating sci-fi adventure, brimming with humor and heart.
When it comes to artistic influences, Jejo admires a wide range of talents from the worlds of comics and comedy. She expresses deep appreciation for Chuck Jones, particularly for his ability to evoke laughter through a single character expression. Sarah Andersen of ‘Sarah’s Scribbles’ fame is another inspiration, praised for her relatable, slice-of-life humor and broad audience connection. Of course, no discussion of comic inspiration would be complete without mentioning ‘Garfield’ and ‘Calvin and Hobbes,’ both of which have significantly influenced ‘Me, The Family Pet?’ in terms of sarcasm, comedic timing, and dry wit.
Jejo also highlights the collaborative aspect of her recent comics, acknowledging the contribution of artist Daniel Blake, who helps with the clean-up process of her strips. This collaboration enhances the visual appeal of ‘Me, The Family Pet?’, making each comic even more enjoyable.
When asked about her personal favorites within the series, Jejo points to the comic where Sally, the resilient orphan, first meets Europa, her gentle alien “sister.” This strip perfectly encapsulates the series’ blend of humor and heart, showcasing Sally’s initial skepticism towards her new family juxtaposed with Europa’s pure excitement at having a human sister. It beautifully captures their contrasting personalities: Sally’s tough exterior and Europa’s genuine, loving nature. Another cherished storyline involves Sally and Europa’s accidental journey into outer space, where they must rely on each other to navigate their predicament. This adventure ultimately strengthens their bond, highlighting how they bring out the best in each other and solidify their friendship.
‘Me, The Family Pet?’ offers a delightful and imaginative world that pet lovers are sure to appreciate. It’s a heartwarming, hilarious, and hopeful series that reimagines the family pet dynamic in a truly unique and entertaining way. If you’re looking for a comic series that celebrates the joy of pet ownership with an out-of-this-world twist, be sure to check out ‘Me, The Family Pet?’ and join Sally and her Gwanian family on their adorable and funny adventures. You can find more of ‘Me, The Family Pet?’ comics and support Jejo’s work through her social media channels and platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Webtoons, and Patreon. Dive into the universe of ‘Me, The Family Pet?’ – it’s a paw-sitively wonderful experience!
