Learning about the past … can be both rewarding and painful.
Creative Staff:
Story: Joe Brusha, Ralph Tedesco, Dave Franchini & David Wohl
Writer: Joe Brusha
Artwork: Jordi Tarragona
Colors: Walter Pereyra
Letters: Taylor Esposito
Logo Design: Josh Burns
What They Say:
The world’s greatest monster fighting team is back! Man Goat and Bunnyman are ready to save the world again … if they don’t kill each other first.
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
In a different dimension a fierce chase begins, as an enraged lycanthrope chases his prey through the forest, the muscular white furred quarry is quick to evade capture, racing along the path with his precious infant son bundled in blanket and cradled in his powerful arm, but as they near their only means of escape, the same feral hunter manages to find a way ahead and now blocks the glowing portal. Although it may attempt to savagely attack with a swift claw, the humanoid rabbit will not allow themselves to be captured, easily avoiding the hurried blow and finding his way into the security of the doorway of energy, but as this concerned father agilely lands in this new land, he is immediately blinded by a blanket of light and commanded by an unseen voice to surrender. As both sides attempt to find a way out of this situation, with the brave rodent warrior’s hand hesitantly upon his sword and several men pointing their firearms upon the foreign pair, a hesitant man dressed in white lab coat and sunglasses attempts to broker a deal for both sides to lower their weapons, even as one of the soldiers orders the protective parent with the threat of force if he does not follow his forceful suggestion.
Deep in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, two alleged friends are still arguing about the disagreement which occurred during Floyd’s birthday party, with the white rabbit threatening to mutilate a certain ruminant for what was done even as he chops firewood, but as Phil continues to defend himself about the misunderstanding with Rachel, the foul tempered rodent will not listen to reason and turns every calm attempt into another twisted insult. But as the roommates continue this one-sided conversation of apologies and contempt, it is Man Goat who starts to walk away in reasonable frustration, with Bunnyman still fuming and not realizing the object of their hunt has menacingly appeared behind him, with his muscular partner the only one to notice the imminent threat. As the Jersey Devil attempts to roast Floyd with a burst of its fiery breath, all the incensed hare can think about is to finish his task of creating some kindling, intense anger clouding any sense of concern for the danger threatening his very life. It is that same rage which cause the small axe to become embedded within this object of scorn, and as the infuriated chopper attempts to free the blunt blade, he does not notice Phil finishing off the fabled beast and only sees the resultant explosion plus a well defined chest exposed during the fight, resulting in another chance to find fault in the man who just saved his ungrateful live.
In Summary:
When we were first introduced to Phil and Floyd over a year ago, it seemed as if the hectic adventures of anthropomorphic hunters would be an uncertain journey, and yet as the caustic connection between roommates grew on readers, it was immediately clear their deep dependency upon each other helped to stabilize each other’s weaknesses, but at the same time, it also allows the audience to understand how their partnership with a select group of humans helps to bridge the gap in a world not ready to accept people who look different as equals. And yet as time passes and we are welcomed back into the fold with the prequel Man Goat & The Bunnyman: Bunnyman Birthday Bash, it was a pleasant surprise to realize the shaky friendship between these questionable partners had not improved with their absence, allowing story creators Joe Brusha, Ralph Tedesco, Dave Franchini and David Wohl to craft a fitting lead into this supposedly disastrous series Man Goat & The Bunnyman: Green Eggs & Blam!, with writer Brusha elaborating upon the fallout of their tenuous relationship all due to a plausible misunderstanding. And yet this talented scribe does not waste time in expanding the secondary surprise which was introduced in the short story, a chance to learn the reality behind Floyd’s curious childhood and the secret his mother Rachel has been for all this time.
The audience cannot but immediately become enthralled with the action of the opening sequence, with readers questioning who might this powerful rabbit bodyguard be carrying a familiar faced baby, only to learn it is father and child, opening an understanding that the picture in the photo album was not the real parent but a facade created by his adoptive mother Rachel. And yet as we begin to understand the truth of Floyd’s arrival, it is the undeniable cruelty from the first humans they meet which underpin the foundation of how cryptids are treated, for even if both species have the same primal instinct to protect their children, those same ingrained manifestations to fear the unknown, or more appropriately to control what they do not understand drives them to strike down those same suspicions. One cannot but feel hesitant repulsion with this first encounter, for while the sunglass wearing scientist attempts to negotiate a peaceful accord after this visiting pair’s harrowing escape, it is his threatening guards which express they have other devious intentions, with those doubts cruelly substantiated with the final statement of the scene – they need to be taken alive.
And yet even with such an acutely alarming moment, the reader cannot but frustratingly sigh to see the tenuous relationship between Man Goat and Bunnyman has not improved since the birthday party fiasco, with the white haired rabbit threatening to mutilate his supposed friend, even as the one in question dishearteningly endeavors to continue his multitude of apologies, with all falling on deaf ears. While we can understand Floyd’s frustration for witnessing the compromising position, it is the ridiculous length of the grudge which teeters on the ludicrous, especially with Phil sincerely regretting the misunderstanding, and tiredly attempts to repair a partnership between cryptids, made humorously absurd once the Jersey Devil attacks, to be amplified in hilarity due to the large eared rodent not hearing or noticing the danger to his life, and only heightening the tension filled atmosphere when he thinks a certain roommate is flexing his muscles in preparation for another nonexistent rendezvous. You can almost hear the audience groan in exasperation at the wearisome escapades of this clueless rabbit, inevitably siding with the annoyed ruminant even if for once his overly active libido was not at fault this time, and yet it is this impassible rift which thankfully leads into the highly anticipated main narrative, with the grand expectations from the first act sparking mutual interest as to where Floyd’s solo journey will lead, as a relieved audience can only assume it will be more amusing adventures.
While the spirited story itself is enticing on its own merits, one cannot but immediately become entranced by the frenetic excitement within Jordi Tarragona’s opening salvo of expressive images, the manner by which he communicates a vibrant power through the dynamic chase is riveting, creating fluid movement between panels almost makes the viewer forget this is battle is set upon a two dimensional medium, even as the intensity is amplified by a dark palette of somber colors from Walter Pereyra, only allowing brief explosions of vivid tones to keep the attention focused upon this brave rabbit bodyguard and his adorable son. Even amid the mild abstraction due to the anthropomorphic nature of the characters, one cannot but admire Tarragona’s heroic display of a muscular father who will do anything to save the comically cute Floyd, with teeth clenched to portray determination or a sincere smile permitting the audience to know he is secure in their apparent safety, until blinding lights ultimately show they have leapt into a different kind of trouble. But even as this valiant protector dynamically draws forth his katana and readers chuckle at the cuteness of an unwary child smiling, you cannot but be assured things will end for the better for these uneasy visitors, with a parent’s unshakable resolve embodied within a fierce grimace of overpowering anger, almost taunting his assailants to come forward, if they are sure of their chances of survival.
(While I was delving into the sensational imagery within this opening scene, there was a nagging feeling I had seen the heroic actions of this protective rabbit bodyguard before, mostly due to this talented illustrator’s stern portrayal of man who would not back down when he had someone to protect, only then remembering the epic adventures of Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo, and so I asked Tarragona via Twitter about my assumptions:
“Exactly, Yojimbo is the inspiration for this character. When I drew Floyd’s father (I) was thinking about doing something similar to Yojimbo’s design in Ninja Turtles! When I was a child, I liked it a lot!”)
But as we leap forward to the present day, readers cannot but openly chuckle to see the same fierce grimace which we witnessed from the father now reflected poetically upon that of the son, be it for a different and perverse reason, with the heroic determination we once saw now lending comedic emphasis when portrayed upon Floyd. Although we fondly remember his parent boldly sporting a katana in one hand for defense, his incensed offspring is now utilizing a miniature axe with both paws, almost as if he is too weak to wield it unless he uses all of his rodent strength. This subtle comparison between father and son is meaningful once we learn the true meaning of the scientist’s hunt for his species, and yet for now, it helps to lend an amusing underlying tone to the argument between Floyd and Phil, for even as murderous intent surrounds this clueless rabbit, he still has to rely upon his impulsive temper to make his presence known. For whether it may be during his daily life to tolerate living beside a libido driven Man Goat or fight for what he wants to protect in the world, Bunnyman seems to be constantly plagued by imagined or self-imposed scorn, with the people who are currently looking for him being a particularly nasty source of his suffering, seemingly determined to shame him into not knowing his full potential or the truth of his impressive origins.
Man Goat & The Bunnyman: Green Eggs & Blam! delightfully reminds loyal readers why they missed this odd duo so much during their brief vacation, for while we may regretfully cringe from their constant fighting over nonsensical arguments with simple solutions, it is the underlying bond of resolute friendship which brings them back together again, no matter how contentious the issue which begins their predictable theatrics. With fantastic illustrations and sobering colors that enrich the unfolding visual display, one cannot but be immediately entranced by the comedic flair of these bickering partners, with Phil needing to cope for his own unintentional mistake even as Floyd attempts to discover himself with the questionable assistance of Jack, much to the chagrin of a distressed audience. But as we are now given a grateful chance to learn about the other half of this unlikely duo, insightful readers have to question if Bunnyman’s past will be as harrowing as Man Goat’s or will a glimpse into the past reveal what has been hidden in plain sight and known only to those who wished to dig up painful secrets.
Grade: A+
Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: July 13, 2022
MSRP: $5.99
