Castles In The Sand is a funny kid strip in the Peanuts mold -- the type in which the kids seem like de-aged adults and wrestle with 'old people' issues such as fear of intimacy and commitment. However, unlike Peanuts (well, with the exception of Snoopy, I guess), the lead character in 'Castles' (a half-pint named Mike), regularly breaks the fourth wall to keep the reader up with his ongoing assessment of the situation. That situation usually has to do with Penny, the girl who has designs on him. Slapstick and anxiety ensues. The sandcastle/beach motif that serves as a starting point for most of the strips here is a smart devce. It suggests a blank sheet of paper, an empty stage upon which anything and any character can enter with little or no set-up. If I had no interest in the gags or the subject matter (though I do), I would still keep returning to 'Castles' on the strength of Henrik's cartooning. Henrik is not a one-note artist. He has done many different series in a wide range of styles and genres, and they're all gorgeous, and they all feed into each other, imbuing whatever he does with many subtle shades of technique. For instance, I don't think 'Castles' would feel as rich if not for the skill set Henrik hones from his dramatic work, such as his excellent 'September 12.' So, come to read 'Castles,' and stay for the whole show in Henrik's corner of webcomcsnation. ... read it now!