Cassie Anderson: An Ordinary Princess (and more)

oI've never had that soft spot for princesses, fairies, dragons and other formulaic young fantasy stories, so it came as a surprise to me that I found myself thoroughly enjoying An Ordinary Princess by Cassie Anderson.  Cassie is another artist I've had the privilege of meeting in real life (thank heavens for Alaskan comic book store owners who try to get a bunch of cartoonists together every so often) and she's just a fun person.  This shows through in her art and writing.  I like this comic because...

• As I alluded only one sentence ago, I love her art style.  It features a bright color palette, simple, but engaging people, and excellent composition.  It definitely feels like a storybook kind of illustration, which contrasts with the more progressive story in a way that is delightful!
• The writing.  The story is lighthearted and touching.  Basil, the Ordinary Princess, comes to grips that she has to be her own person in the wake of 6 older sisters who have all been blessed (literally) with various advantages and talents from birth.  None of these have been given to Basil, so she gets to find her own as the story unfolds.  The characters are fun without being heavy-handed tropes or one dimensional rice paper dolls.  
• The humor.  I like simple gags like a, somewhat unhinged though well meaning, mother smiling and waving while [SPOILERS] the dragon she hired to kidnap Basil so a prince would have to come rescue her so she can just go and get married already, c'mon girl [SPOILERS END] kind of humor.  That happens pretty early on, don't worry.
• The message.  I enjoyed the comic, and would be more than comfortable using it to teach kids about accepting people, loving yourself, etc.  I like a good moral to a story.

An Ordinary Princess is free-to-read online, and has already concluded, so you don't have to worry about waiting on updates.  You can binge it all now!  And you should!  She has also illustrated the graphic novel Lifeformed: Cleo Makes Contact published by Dark Horse.  To my shame I've only read the first few pages, but they make me want to go buy it with money right now. 

Right.

Now.

She also has a bunch of sketches and such which are free to see at her instant gram.  Check it out!  Today!