We all need a place to fit in … even if it may be a struggle.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Joe Brusha
Artwork: Guillermo Fajardo
Colors: Walter Pereyra & Ulises Arreola
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
Bigfoot, the Jersey Devil, the Loch Ness Monster: all are age-old folklore fodder, but could they actually be real? In recent years, the myth of Man Goat and The Bunnyman has grown locally, and many have claimed sightings of the two unique creatures, yet no concrete evidence exists … and that’s exactly how they want it. Dealing with the things nightmares are made of so we don’t have to – deranged mutants, satanic cults, demons, summer vacationers – Man Goat and Bunnyman protect us from the evils that hide in plain sight. But they don’t want your adoration. They just want to be left alone.
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
During a harrowing vision which Man Goat is fighting a devil that strangely looks like an older flaming version of himself, Phil wakes from this horrific nightmare much to his relief with a concerned girlfriend by his side, who asks what is wrong, only to tell her to go back to sleep. But with the rising of the sun, this now resolute dreamer finds his partner Floyd busily talking to his mother about plans for this afternoon with the human Lauren, who then uncomfortably hangs up when this angered roommate rushes in and begins to arm himself with numerous guns. After gruffly telling his partner to get ready for a job, the curious rodent asks which case, only to be told they are resuming the search for the missing girl that Wendell told them to drop. However when pushed as to why he now wants to get involved, Phil responds his interest was peaked after learning about the satanic cult within the area, but is shocked when the rodent bluntly refuses to go with him. After explaining his plans are to stay and get cleaned up, the infuriated ruminant begins to hurl insults by stating this choice is better so the white rabbit doesn’t have another gore induced psychotic episode, even as Floyd retorts in that Phil is no better in that he needs so many weapons to be on equal terms. With neither side willing to surrender to the other’s excuses, Man Goat finally counters by stating he works better alone, slamming the door behind him before launching one final verbal insult.
With no other place to go in his ill tempered state, Phil finds himself turning to the only other friend he can talk to, the helicopter pilot who helped them retreat from their last messy mission, Tammy. He finds the attractive woman enjoying a morning coffee on the porch, but as she sees the foul mood the Man Goat is in, she cannot but ask what is wrong only to have him respond with a vague answer of being mad at everyone, but especially the local cult who sacrificed a woman a few days ago, only then showing the graphic picture. Disturbed by the repulsive image, the brunette invites Phil inside and is easily able to track down a supposed site for their next ritual, but when they arrive at the area in question, the pair soon realize they are not alone after several men rush out with every intent to capture Man Goat. Although the ruminant is easily able to put down a few men, the couple soon find themselves surrounded by more with tasers, with Phil finally confessing they are likely monster hunters after him, and after jokingly admitting he seduced the leader’s wife, the incensed human boldly states he doesn’t care about orders and now has every intention of killing this abomination.
In Summary:
After learning about this unusual duo’s uneasy, if somewhat semi-friendly relationship within the last issue, writer Joe Brusha does not hesitate in building off the understandable agitation which Phil wakes to within the opening moments of this story. To have a destiny defined by one’s outward appearance is unsettling, but to have those fears reinforced by feverish nightmares in which you are accosted by someone who looks like you and claims you are his creation is ever more harrowing, but to also learn this being is associated to satanic rituals is impossibly traumatic. However even as Man Goat attempts to cope with this buried mental anguish, strangely choosing not to lash out at his girlfriend, it is curious he does not hold back in antagonizing the previously contemptuous rivalry with Floyd, unleashing his verbal disapproval when Bunnyman does not want to go on a mission which had a decided outcome. While it might have been understandable if the shy rodent explained his reasoning to this scornful roommate, readers cannot but recall a prior conversation in which Phil caustically mocked him for not having female companionship, and as such even with justification this romantic excuse would have fallen on deaf ears, making Floyd feel even worse; but it makes us wonder how these two ever became friends – one with filled with spite and the other incredibly naive, with each personality being shaped due to their physical features, and yet they are diametrically opposed to each other with their outlooks on life, but bonded perhaps due to some similar circumstance. It seems Phil is the more experienced and calms Floyd after his gore induced psychotic break, but at the same time wastes no time in pushing his furry friend away at every opportunity, always blaming others for disagreements and never realizing or wanting to acknowledge it is his condescending attitude which starts the arguments. But what makes his disdain ever more infuriating is how he tries to justify this anger to Tammy, attempting to criticize others for his mistakes even as he endeavors to seduce the helpful woman, making us chuckle after she bluntly calls him out for his blatant womanizing. But for all the surface hatred between the two, it makes us wonder how far Phil go to save his friend after the package is delivered, and if it will be man, beast or a combination of the two who come out on top.
When the story takes on the satanic nature of Man Goat and requires a melodramatic opening to set the frightening ambiance of the narrative, illustrator Guillermo Fajardo stunningly creates a nightmarish splash page to greet the reader, molding what most readers would assume to be the embodiment of fiery hellspawn and effortlessly giving it form, but what makes this fantastic image so ominous are the dire selections of dark crimsons and somber shadows from Walter Pereyra’s mysterious palette, emphasizing roughly chiseled muscles, delicate scales of serpents, combustible breath and glowing coals for eyes which give this foreboding beast the gravitas of which no fitting words can communicate. To watch a self-assured Phil battle this terrifying creature is reassuring, a resolute face attempts to bolster his confidence, even as the humanoid features identify the one who we should cheer for, all while curious sigils which mark his well formed body make us question if either combatant is truly worthy of praise with this battle for dominance; and yet it is the small detail that is reflected within his eyes after this haunting dream is over which confirms who is the worthy of survival – a fiery maw which threatens to consume this unwilling participant if he should lose. These small artistic nuances and an elegant shift from flaming tones to muted earthen tones allows us to realize the nightmare is over, but the struggle for sanity is only now beginning, and yet Phil needs to understand his anchor to stop the descent are the stability of a normal of life and a furry friend which he keeps pushing away. You then cannot smile after seeing Floyd’s optimistic conversation with his mother, the hope for a much wanted relationship with humans etched with hopeful eyes, and yet that naivety is crushed after this gruff roommate pronounces their plans for the day, making us cheer for the cream colored rodent as he stands up against the blunt tyranny of someone who has been accepted, not knowing how painful it can be for an outsider. But even as the story shifts to the much more robust coloring style of Ulises Arreola, utilizing ruddy skin tones and darker textures to magnify the somber foundation which the tale is approaching, this new look allows readers to realize the end is near, and it may not be a happy outcome for everyone.
Man Goat & The Bunnyman is clearly defining its decision to present itself as a story which presents outsiders as the heroes of the title, and while these misfits may constantly be challenged by a world where humans are the ones who define the rules, you cannot but cheer for these well-meaning cryptids at they attempt to live a normal life on the fringes of society. With outstanding illustrations and reassuring colors, the wondrous visual presentation allow us to welcome these friends into a world which does not accept them, made all the more frustrating as Phil finds success and Floyd is constantly berated by someone he considers a companion. But for all of his numerous faults and the callous treatment of his timid partner, it still makes us wonder what deeply rooted connection these two have which would cause Man Goat to endanger himself for Bunnyman, and with the conclusion quickly approaching, we shall have to wait to see if anyone survives this final conflict.
Grade: A-
Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: May 26, 2021
MSRP: $5.99
