Graphic Novel Review: Scurry - A post-apocalyptic mouse tale by Mac Smith from Skybound Comet

Scurry - A post-apocalyptic mouse tale

by Mac Smith (Author, Artist)

February 21, 2023

328 pages

Genre: action-adventure, graphic novel, animals, middle school

Publisher: Skybound Comet

A group of house mice struggle to survive a long and strange winter. The humans are gone, the sun is rarely seen, and a cold, dark rain befouls everything it touches.

The mice, long dependent on humans for food, stubbornly cling to their old ways, looting the nearby abandoned houses for any scraps they can find. Once, there was plenty to eat, but now the scavengers return empty-handed, or not at all.

Food is scarce, but danger is everywhere. Poison and traps wait for the unwary in dark cupboards, and a gang of feral cats relentlessly chase the mice whenever the rodents leave the safety of their nest. Now there are even rumors a hawk has come to join the hunt.

As supplies run low and many mice fall ill, desperation creeps in. With the colony at a breaking point, rumors of a wrecked truck filled with food give them hope, but it lies far beyond the forest, where even the cats won’t go.

Included in Scurry, is a two-page READER'S GUIDE. The full TEACHER'S GUIDE can be found on SkyboundComet.com.

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I was blown away by Scurry! It's a visual feast from the cover to the last page. After reading comics for any amount of time you learn that the cover can be an amazing illustration but the actual comic is more simplistic. But every page--every panel--is an illustration in Scurry. Absolutely beautiful.

Scurry is as a middle-grade trilogy fantasy adventure webcomic by Mac Smith. It took him five years to complete. You can check out his website (an experience of its own)! And read the tale of Wix and his mouse colony. It is also on the webcomic platform Tapas for free. And now you can buy all three parts in one collection from Skybound Comet (a new graphic novel imprint from Image Comics aimed at young adults and middle-grade audiences.)

Three original volumes

Scurry is a dark epic fantasy adventure about a colony of mice. It follows the classic epic fantasy tropes. A richly told tale of betrayals, loyal friends, battles for their lives, and a little mystical help in the form of three foxes called the Witches. It is never stated why the humans are gone but the clues are there.

This story can be enjoyed by all ages...but be careful with kids under six...some of the images and situation could be scary. You can read it for free, but you will want to own copy to share the reading experience with your kids or classroom (there is a teachers guide on his website)...or just to admire.

5 "Don't go there!" Sheep

About the Author:

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Spawned from the radioactive swamps of the American South, the hideous beast known as Mac Smith has lumbered west across the desert wastes and north through the desolate mountains to lair in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. His only weapons are confidence born out of ignorance and militant contrarianism.

He enjoys bad movies, playing with his extremely dumb dog and drawing muppets.

It is said that he has beautiful feet for a man.

Premier of Monthly Old School Horror Webcomic (all ages): Brooding Muse

Brooding Muse Announces Premier of Monthly Old School Horror Webcomic Illustrated by Nik Poliwko & Earl Geier

For more information be sure to visit

https://broodingmuse.com

Old school horror is alive and well. Brooding Muse is a compelling new webcomic fusing classic themes, remarkable work from two very-skilled artists and a compelling storyline that would make H.P. Lovecraft proud.

Fans of black and white classic horror comics have a good reason to be happy. New webcomic Brooding Muse celebrates the genre to the fullest recently releasing their 8-page prologue backed by an online store featuring a diverse selection of Brooding Muse merchandise. Featuring the illustrations of Nik Poliwko and Earl Geier and a scary but appropriate for all ages plot, the webcomic has been greeted by comic enthusiasts with open arms.

“We wanted to do something as a family,” commented Patrick co-creator of the Brooding Muse world with his wife Jen. “Everyone knows it is important to do things you enjoy, so for us to be able to do this comic and develop our merchandise with the help and influence of the people we love most has been a great experience. This teamwork has resulted in a storyline that contains elements that all ages can connect with and merchandise that appeals to all ages. We hope our fans out there enjoy it as much as we did making it.”

Some highlights of merchandise currently available from Brooding Muse include head-turning t-shirts, hats, and even skateboard decks. Expect more items to be added as the project grows.

The early feedback for Brooding Muse has been extremely positive.
-John S., from California, recently said in a five-star review, “I really love horror comics and Brooding Muse has me totally hooked with their prologue. I can't wait to see what happens next. I just ordered a t-shirt to show support!”

Mind Palace: New webcomic series resurrects ‘Hannibal’

Fans of the beloved but short-lived TV series ‘Hannibal’ are getting more than they bargained for with new comic series, ‘Mind Palace,’ which will unite all of creator Bryan Fuller’s characters under one roof.

Comics creator Dave Dwonch (‘Cyrus Perkins and the Haunted Taxi Cab,’ ‘Infinite Seven’) has been a fan of Bryan Fuller’s for a LONG time. Since the debt of Fuller’s ‘Dead Like Me’ in 2003, Dwonch has been fascinated with the meteoric rise and quick demise of Fuller’s creations. From ‘Wonderfalls’ to ‘Pushing Daisies’ to ‘Hannibal,’ Bryan Fuller’s creations have been acclaimed by both critics and fans and garnered worldwide attention, only to be cancelled within three years. That’s where Dwonch comes in.

“It’s clear that Bryan poured his heart into every single project he’s worked on, and his genius is obviously there on the screen. I can only imagine how much it must have hurt losing any of these shows. You go through the grieving process and tuck the memories into your mind. That’s the real premise of Mind Palace,” Dwonch reveals.

[SPOLIERS:] Mind Palace takes place in Bryan Fuller’s subconscious mind.

Read the entire series for free at

https://www.mindpalacecomic.com

The Mind Palace is a place where Bryan has sequestered his creations away. He hasn’t forgotten them, just given them a new purpose as the caretakers of a bed and breakfast in the back of his brain, the “The Fuller House.” Imagine a world where Hannibal Lecter is the Executive Chef to Ned’s (Pushing Daisies) Pastry Chef, where actress Caroline Dhavernas’ Alana Bloom (Hannibal) and Jaye Tyler (Wonderfalls) exist together. It’s a recipe for madness.

“Think of Mind Palace as Herman’s Head, but with 100% more murder,” Dwonch continues. “Some of these characters have been trapped in Bryan’s mind for years. It’s going to affect some of them in ways that are going to surprise readers. Things will get even more complicated as a certain someone comes to visit. We’ve got a lot of strange, scary things planned.”

Mind Palace launched on San Diego Comic Con Preview Night with the first complete chapter, and new pages are posted every Tuesday and Thursday. Dwonch and artist Santi Guillen have planned Season One to span an entire year and hope to continue into Season Two in mid-2019.

Read the entire series for free at

https://www.mindpalacecomic.com

And help keep the dream alive by donating to their Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/MindPalace.     

From Crystal Lake Publishing: C.H.U.D. LIVES!: A Tribute Anthology + free mini-comic

The C.H.U.D. Webcomic!

Click here for the full C.H.U.D. webcomic for free.

This is all part of the buildup to Crystal Lake Publishing’s C.H.U.D. Lives!: Anthology, out April 27th.

C.H.U.D. LIVES!: A Tribute Anthology

April 27, 2018

Crystal Lake Publishing
Today’s top Horror and SF authors pay tribute to C.H.U.D. in this anthology of original fiction.

C.H.U.D. is a genre defying, cult classic film featuring monsters living in the sewers below New York. The stories in this anthology expand the world created by the film and add depth to the C.H.U.D. universe like never before. From stories of apocalyptic horror and all out monster action, to tales of underground parties interrupted by uninvited guests and evening strolls that end in death, this anthology will leave you both smiling and breathless.

Relive the fear as these original stories take you beyond the movie to events that occurred before, during, and after the scenes we remember so well.

Includes C.H.U.D. related stories by Jonathan Maberry, Tim Waggoner, JG Faherty, Mort Castle, Michael H. Hanson, Martin Powell, Ben Fisher, Jason White, Chad Lutzke, Ross Baxter, Philip C Perron, David Bernstein, Nick Cato, Alex Laybourne, Christopher Fulbright, Angeline Hawkes, David Robbins, Robert Waters, Greg Mitchell, Ryan C. Thomas, and Eugene Johnson.

With an introduction by David Drake. Compiled by Eric S. Brown.

C.H.U.D. Lives! also features in-depth interviews with Andrew Bonime (producer) and Parnell Hall (screenwriter), as well as never before seen behind-the-scenes photos from the classic 80s horror film.
Lineup:
Introduction by David Drake
Interview with the late Andrew Bonime
“Dog Walker” by Robert E Waters
“The Dwellers” by Nick Cato
“The City Will Eat You Alive” by Ryan C. Thomas
“Date Night” by David Robbins
“Strange Gods” by Christopher Fulbright and Angeline Hawkes
“Lost and Found” by Greg Mitchell
“They Are C.H.U.D” by Alex Laybourne
“C.H.A.D.” by Michael H. Hanson
“Samsa’s Party” by Ben Fisher
“The Way to a Man’s Heart” by Tim Waggoner
“Dweller Messiah” by Jason White
“That’s Entertainment!” by Mort Castle
“Toxic Disposal” by David Bernstein
“Monstrous Me” by Martin Powell
“Step Ate” by Chad Lutzke
“Zero Hour” by JG Faherty
“The Deuce” by Philip C. Perron
“All at Sea” by Ross Baxter
“You Will Never Leave Harlan Alive” by Jonathan Maberry and Eugene Johnson
Interview with Parnell Hall (screenwriter) by Eric S Brown

This book is dedicated in loving memory to Andrew Bonime, the producer of the C.H.U.D. film.

Proudly represented by Crystal Lake Publishing—Tales from the Darkest Depths.

Crystal Lake Publishing

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Crystal Lake Publishing is a multi-time Bram Stoker nominated publisher, as well as a Publisher of the Year Award recipient from This Is Horror. We’ve been representing Dark Fiction and its creators since 2012.

Interview with the charming and unpredictable Author Jasper Bark!

Hey Jasper! It has been almost exactly one year since you last graced the flock with your presence? Looks like you’ve had a busy year. You have a new book, Quiet Places, a graphic novel, Parassassination, a new monthly webcomic, Fear Fix and you started a Pateron page. But first, the question we’ve all be wanting to ask since you were last here...is your hair naturally curly? And how do you combat fizziness?
Jasper: Actually, my hair’s not natural at all. My real hair fell out when I was a very young child, following a traumatic incident when I was accidentally exposed to a late uncle’s stash of naked Liberace porn, while hiding under his bed, during an ill-advised game of sardines.

The local Scout troop was so moved by my condition that they hosted a number of yard sales and sponsored walks to raise money to help me. This money ended up going to the stepfather of a school friend of mine, who worked as a research scientist at British Nuclear Fuels. He discovered that a mutant strain of irradiated crabgrass not only gains a mild sentience when exposed to radium, it also resembles curly human hair. He donated his first test subject to me.

We’ve been together ever since. Of course now the poor thing is getting a little grey around the edges and isn’t quite the sprightly mop of mutant crabgrass that it was in our youth, but it still likes nothing more than to curl up at the bottom of my bed, with a saucer of curdled milk, at the end of the day.

Sharon: We’re gonna tackle each of your projects. Let’s start Quiet Places. It is a novella in the Heresy Series story cycle. What is the Heresy Series and how does Quiet Places fit in. Will there be more novellas?
Jasper: The Heresy Series is an ongoing Story Cycle based around the Qu’rm Saddic Heresy, this is an ancient and blasphemous set of beliefs that have been feared and persecuted since the beginning of time. It was thought of as old even in the early days of Ancient Mesopotamia, which is considered the birthplace of civilization. Very few records of the heresy survive the last vestiges of it were stamped out in the middle ages, and it is all but forgotten today, but it still has the power to illicit fear and outrage in those who know of its existence.

Forbidden knowledge and forgotten beliefs fascinate me, so I have devoted quite a few stories to this little-known religion, from the distant past. Like Brian Keene’s Labyrinth mythos, Laird Barron’s Old Leech stories and H. P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos, the stories can be read in any order, but with everyone you read, you’ll learn a little more about the grand, mythopoeic tapestry into which they’re woven.

In a recent review of Quiet Places, the author and critic Dave Dubrow described the Qu’rm Saddic Heresey as

“the true story of the universe and what lies behind it. Once the door to Bark’s mythos opens, it sucks you in and keeps you from putting the book down in a way horror fans haven’t experienced since Lovecraft started putting tentacles and unpronounceable consonants together decades ago.”

Which was rather kind of him.

Like all of the story cycle, Quiet Places uses the heresy as a backdrop, you don’t need to know anything about it to enjoy the story. It does fill in more of the history though in a slow-burning tale that builds to one of my most shocking endings.

Sharon: What folklore did you borrow from for Quiet Places?
Jasper: As it’s set in the Scottish Highlands, I did a lot of research into Scottish folklore. So, tales of the Will o’ the Wisp, and the Gaelic Teine Biorach (which means ‘sharp fire’), strange apparitions that haunt moors, plains and other lonely places were something of an inspiration. As were tales of the Cù-Sith and Phantom Black Hounds, these were psychopomps, creatures which accompany the lost souls of the dead to the afterlife.

In addition to that, I drew on a modern day folk story, that of the ABC, which stands for Alien Big Cat. These are large feline creatures, similar to pumas and jaguars, that are regularly spotted, and sometimes even photographed, in the wilds of the British countryside. Animals that are not known to be native to British shores, but have nonetheless been seen by enough eyewitnesses to give a bit of credence to the claim that they exist. 

By Midnightblueowl at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, 

Sharon: You wrote the graphic novel Parassissnation. Tell us a bit about it.

Jasper: It’s a time traveling, political thriller, set on the distant planet of Sedulon, and it’s not like anything you’ve ever read before. Three possible futures hang in the balance, two end in total annihilation, and one assassin’s bullet will decide, as a rogue band of time travelers and scientific misfits fight to save the futures of two worlds.

It has a lot of bizarre characters you won’t have encountered before, such as Doc Hydrabus - a brilliant scientist whose body splits into a crowd of his past and future selves, he lives in one present and many futures all at the same time. Cassindra who is 900 years old, impossible to kill and every bit as deadly as she is beautiful. She’s travelled back in time to change the world. And Rushaar and Shartara, alien beings made entirely of gas with one simple plan, to use time travel to assassinate the leader of Sedulon and save their planet Eidolonia.

Each of them must put aside their differences and come together to find a new future for all their worlds, one that lies in the most unexpected of all possible places.

Parassassin
Jasper Bark - Writer
Alfa Robbi - Artist
Bolt 01 - LettersSeptember 18, 2017

Publisher: Markosia Enterprises Ltd
66 pages

Three futures hang in the balance.

Two end in total annihilation.

One assassin’s bullet will decide.

On the planet Sedulon, a rogue band of renegade time travelers and scientific misfits fight to save the futures of two worlds.

Doc Hydrabus - a brilliant scientist whose body splits into a crowd of his past and future selves, he lives in one present and many futures all at the same time

Cassindra - 900 years old, impossible to kill and every bit as deadly as she is beautiful. She’s travelled back in time to change the world.

Rushaar and Shartara - alien beings made entirely of gas with one simple plan, to use time travel to assassinate the leader of Sedulon and save their planet Eidolonia.

The Parassassin - he will take the shot that decides the destinies of everyone in the galaxy.

Politics and parody collide on the bleeding edge of science fiction, in one of the most shocking and innovative thrillers you’re going to read this year.

AmazonUS-Amazon UK

and all good book and comic shops worldwide.

Sharon: How long did it take to bring your story to life in graphic novel format? What were some of the unexpected challenges you ran into during the process?
Jasper: It took quite a long time, as the story was serialized in the award-winning online comic ‘Aces Weekly’. This is an amazing publication put together by the legendary artist David Lloyd, who drew V for Vendetta and designed the Guy Fawkes mask that is so popular with protestors all over the world, from Occupy Wall Street to the Arab Spring revolts.

The main challenges we faced were getting the pages out on a weekly basis over an 8 month period. This was a big commitment from the team and we were always skating on the edge of a deadline. Luckily David, and everyone else at Aces Weekly were always very patient and very helpful. I should also mention the incredible work done by the amazingly talented artist Alfa Robbi, who illustrated the strip, and our wonderful letterer Bolt 01, who always went above and beyond.

Sharon: Your character Dr. Hydrabus was caught in a worm hole generator explosion and now constantly splits into his future and past selves. Every 3 to 4 hours he reabsorbs them and splits again. Would you like to live like your character Dr. Hydrabus for one day?
Jasper: I can quite honestly say I wouldn’t. Aside from it being a rather strange, disorienting, and painful thing to go through, I think it would be rather unnerving to be confronted with so many past and future versions of yourself. We tend to find our own worst faults most irritating in other people, so can you imagine how vexing it would be to be faced with a crowd of mirror versions of yourself?

Most people can’t stand hearing the sound of their own voice on a recording, or the way they look on video, so imagine seeing and hearing it right in front of you in the flesh. You’d be constantly reminded of what an idiot you were when you were younger, and how decrepit you’re going to look in ten or fifteen years time. Can you imagine it? No wonder Doc Hydrabus considers it such a curse.

Sharon: Looks like you caught the comic bug because you also have a free monthly webcomic on your website called Fear Fix. What do you want to say about it that would make our readers want to check it out?
Jasper: Fear Fix is an homage to the amazing black and white comic magazines of the 70s, like Warren Comics’ Creepy and Eerie, or Skywald’s Psycho and Scream, as well as the amazing EC comics from the 50s and even DC’s horror comics like House of Mystery and House of Secrets. Each month it will feature a new self-contained stand-alone story of unspeakable horror, written by me and drawn by some of the best new artists from both mainstream and indie comics.

Like all of the horror comics I mentioned above, Fear Fix has a hideous horror host who introduces all the stories. Only the creepy keeper of this comic crypt is yours truly. That’s right, I’ve stepped into my own comic pages to become a character myself.

The first installment is up right now, it’s called A Bad Girl’s Guide to Making a Killing and you can read it right here.

Look forward to seeing you there.

Sharon: How did you decide on the art style you ended up going with? Will you use the same artist for each story? Who is your artist?
Jasper: The art style was decided by the two amazingly talented artists I worked with on this story. The intro and the outro pages are drawn by my long time collaborator, the quite awesomely talented Rob Moran, Rob and I will definitely work together again. The main story was drawn by an artist called Emily Hare, who is also ridiculously talented. She drew this story under the pen name Manon, but sadly, she decided, straight afterwards, that she didn’t want to be a comic artist and wanted to concentrate on her illustration work. Which is a sad loss to the world of graphic novels, but it does mean that Fear Fix showcases her one and only foray into comics, something that I am extremely honoured by.

Sharon: I asked this last year because Halloween was right around the corner. What are your family’s costume plans this year? You’d make a great Wonder Woman…just saying...
Jasper: Why, that’s most kind of you to say. We’re still making plans on costumes. I do know that my youngest daughter wants to go as a rather sinister looking Red Riding Hood, but the rest of us are still undecided.

Sharon: What’s for dinner tonight?
Jasper: I’ve developed a bit of a taste for the souls of alcoholic parking attendants of late, it’s the bleakness of their existence that adds all the flavour I think, but it’s a bit of an acquired taste, and they’re rather hard to come by, when they’re not in season.

So I think I’ll probably just go with roasted mediterranean vegetables, fired halloumi cheese and chickpeas and cous-cous.

Sharon: You live in England? If so, what is your favorite English phrase? Do you have a favorite American one?
Jasper: I don’t know if I have a favourite phrase, I like old antiquated English phrases of the kind the author P. G. Wodehouse, creator of Jeeves, would have used, such as ‘what ho!’, ‘pip, pip’ and ‘chin, chin’. I also like Scottish phrases like ‘peelie wally’, which means pale and ill, and ‘proper braw’ which means awesome. Unfortunately as I was born south of the Scottish border, I can never use any of those words in conversation. Attempting to do so, would be like a white guy from the Upper East side of Manhattan trying to talk like an African American kid from the West Coast.

My father, a blue collar guy with a black belt in swearing, also had his own unique turn of phrase. One example would be, whenever my sister and I were goofing around or messing about, he would shout: “you pair better stop pissballing and fartarsing around!!”

I don’t know if I have a favourite American phrase either, but one that sprang to mind, when you asked the question, comes from old films from the 40s and 50s. It usually occurs when some poor sap has riled the local bully. The great galoot, will chomp on his cigar, push his bowler to the back of his head, and lean into the poor guy, declaring, threateningly: “why I oughta...!” If he decides to pop the guy one, it will be followed by the phrase: “y’know what? I will too!”

Sometimes, I toy with the idea of writing a novel about a homicidal surgeon who removes hearts, entitled: ‘Why Aorta!’. But luckily, my meds usually kick in time for me to see sense and get on with something else.

Rapid Fire:

Sharon: Right handed or Left handed?
Jasper: I’m actually a bit ambidextrous.

Sharon: lick it or bite it?
Jasper: Lick it definitely, I like to prolong the pleasure for as long as possible.

Sharon: front row or back row?
Jasper: I’m a front row kinda guy, I like to be up close and personal. But I have quite an experimental past, so I’ve spent quite a bit of time on the back row as well (just don’t tell my wife...)

Sharon: Penguins or Hawk?
Jasper: Hawk, I love birds of prey.

Sharon: Little Bo Peep or Miss Muffet?
Jasper: For all kinds of reasons, that you couldn’t possible print, it definitely has to be Miss Muffet.

Jasper: Before I go, I’d also like to mention my brand spanking new Patreon page. If you’ve enjoyed this interview, or any of my books and comics, I’d be very obliged if you’d go check it out here. The page is a way for me to get closer to the people who read and support my work. It’s go some quite unique perks for everyone who gets involved. So I’d love to hear from you and what you think.

Thanks for having me. I had a blast.

Quiet Places: A Novella of Cosmic Folk Horror

by Jasper Bark

September 29, 2017

123 pages

Crystal Lake Publishing 

In the quiet of the forest, the darkest fears are born.

The people of Dunballan, harbour a dark secret. A secret more terrible than the Beast that stalks the dense forests of Dunballan. A secret that holds David McCavendish, last in a long line of Lairds, in its unbreakable grip.

It’s down to Sally, David’s lover, to free David from the sinister clutches of the Beast. But, with the whole town against her, she must ally herself with an ancient woodland force and trace Dunballan’s secret back to its bitter origins. Those origins lie within the McCavendish family history, and a blasphemous heresy that stretches back to the beginning of time. Some truths are too terrible to face, and the darkest of these lie waiting for Sally, in the Quiet Places. 

Quiet Places is folk horror at its most cosmic and terrifying. Blending folklore with psychological terror, it contains stories within stories, each one leading to revelations more unsettling than the last. Revelations that will change the way you view your place in the cosmos, and haunt you, relentlessly, long after you have put down this book.

Quiet Places is a novella in the Heresy Series story cycle and has been substantially rewritten and revised for this edition.

About the Author:

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Jasper Bark finds writing author biographies and talking about himself in the third person faintly embarrassing. Telling you that he’s an award-winning author of four cult novels including the highly acclaimed ‘Way of the Barefoot Zombie’, just sounds like boasting. Then he has to mention that he’s written 12 children’s books and hundreds of comics and graphic novels and he wants to just curl up. He cringes when he has to reveal that his work has been translated into nine different languages and is used in schools throughout the UK to help improve literacy, or that he was awarded the This Is Horror Award for his last anthology ‘Dead Air’. Maybe he’s too British, or maybe he just needs a good enema, but he’s glad this bio is now over.

Comic Review: Battlepug: Sit, Stay, Die! Volume 3

BATTLEPUG, Volume 3, “Sit, Stay, Die!”
Writer:Mike Norton

Artist:Mike Norton

Colorist:Allen Passalaqua

Cover Artist:Mike Norton
Genre: Action/Adventure, Fantasy, Humor
Dark Horse Comics

Publication Date: October 29, 2014

Format:FC, 72 Pages; HC, 12" x 8.5"

Price:$14.99

Age range:14

ISBN-10:1-61655-594-7ISBN-13:978-1-61655-594-8

The Last Kinmundian and his trusty Battlepug have survived many trials on their way to confront the evil beast mage known as Catwulf, but their encounter with the Dead Walker may be their last. The third installment of this Eisner-award winning-webcomic sees our heroes climbing to the very brink of death. Will they slip over the edge?

Battlepug Volume 3: Sit. Stay. Die! collects the entire third year of the webcomic hit, Battlepug, and includes exclusive bonus material!
********************************

Guest Reviewers Toby the Pug and Queenie the Pug, co-owners of author Dani Harper (who may or may not get a word in edgewise)

QUEENIE – “First off, I’d like to express our appreciation to I Smell Sheep for having the good sense to bring in experts to review this book. As pugs ourselves, we’re able to provide readers with the ultimate perspective on the latest volume of BATTLEPUG.”

TOBY – “I wanted to say that! I’m the one who’s done a review before, so I should get to talk FIRST!”

QUEENIE - “Pfft! I’m more than twice your age, so I have seniority. Plus we’re in a hurry, because it’s HALFTIME, people! This is already the THIRD of five planned books.”

TOBY – “Five? Only five?” *counts on his front toes* “Um, um, Volume 1 was “Blood and Drool”, and, um, Volume 2 was “This Savage Bone”. And so this one makes, um, three – OMIGOSH THERE’S ONLY TWO TOES LEFT!” *runs in panicked circles*

Fiona the pug's review of Volume 1 Blood and Drool

Toby the pug's review of Volume 2 This Savage Bone

Dani Harper – *clears throat* “Mike Norton is Battlepug’s creator, writer and artist. And he’s won both an Eisner Award and a Harvey Award for this webcomic.”

QUEENIE – “That’s because there are pugs in the story, of course. You’d think more writers would take the hint. Why, if a pug had been written into the script for The Lone Ranger, it would have pushed the movie into Oscar territory.”

TOBY – “I’ll bet the awards don’t matter to Mr. Norton. He probably created Battlepug because it’s FUN.”

Dani Harper – “He’s certainly very talented. The story keeps rolling out zany surprises as it reveals more about the characters. And the quality of the artwork continues to be amazing.”

QUEENIE – “Pugs are excellent subjects. Including them elevates practically anything into an art form and—”

TOBY – “I have a Battlepug t-shirt!”

QUEENIE – “I keep telling you it’s for people – that’s why it doesn’t fit right. And stop interrupting me.”

TOBY – “Stop being bossy. I told you, I’m the one who’s reviewed before, so I get to talk! Battlepug is about a barbarian on a quest to find the villain who destroyed his people. And instead of a horse, he rides a giant noble pug –

QUEENIE – “Did you notice that nobody knows the name of the warrior?”

TOBY – “But we know the name of the pug! That’s the important part. He’s big and brave and his name is Sprinkles! And he has a mighty battle cry: BRAP! BRAP! BRAP! BRAP!” *leaps wildly across the furniture*

QUEENIE – “And we know the names of the friends that the warrior and his pug have made along the way – “

TOBY – *still bounding along the top of the couch* “BRAP! BRAP! BRAP!”

QUEENIE – “There’s the old man, Scribbly, and the little girl, Bryony, and the swordmaster, Black Sasha.”

TOBY – *panting* “And the best thing of all? The BESTEST thing? Sprinkles isn’t the only pug!”

Dani Harper – “That’s true. The whole story is being woven by a voluptuous girl named Moll who seems to be a prisoner in a high tower. She never wears anything except her henna tattoos and her only companions are a French bulldog named Colfax, and a pug named Mingo.”

TOBY – “I like Mingo. Colfax is a meanie.”

QUEENIE – “You said that last time. I read your review.”

TOBY – “Well, it’s even more true now. But there’s way cool stuff in this book too. The Warrior and his faithful Battlepug are up against this guy with a whole army of skeletons, and then the monster weasels come! And you’ve got to see the Skull Monkey!“

QUEENIE – “Let’s not forget there are some truly profound lessons in this story about magic and the importance of keeping the balance.”

TOBY – “And then we learn about PILLOWS! I had no idea they were so dangerous!”

QUEENIE – “Riiight.” *hides a pillow behind her back* “But let’s not give everything away – we don’t want to spoil it for the readers.”

Dani Harper – “I think it’s safe to say this book contains a critical turning point for the Warrior. He suddenly realizes that his desire for revenge isn’t the most important thing anymore.”

TOBY – “And then there was the gigantic – and then, BAM, the— the— fuzzy…wanna…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.”

QUEENIE – *removes pillow from Toby’s face* “I SAID we weren’t going to give away the story!”

Dani Harper – *confiscates pillow* “Ahem. We need to tell people that they can Like Battlepug on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Battlepug-The-Web-Comic/123886081014933. And if they want to read the strip as it’s created, they can check out Mr. Norton’s commentary and maybe even shop in the Battlepug store at http://battlepug.com/ ” *shakes Toby awake*

TOBY – “Wha – what? Where were we?”

Dani Harper – *whispering* “It’s time for the rating, give the rating!”

TOBY – “Four thumbs up!”

QUEENIE – “I knew he wouldn’t do it right. We’re on I Smell Sheep – they don’t use thumbs! And why isn’t it five? The book’s got TWO pugs! That puts it practically off the scale.”

Dani Harper – “Sorry, but we’ve had this conversation before. It’s not fair to non-pugs, and we want to be known as balanced reviewers.”

TOBY – “Yeah!” *sticks tongue out at Queenie* “So it gets four ‘who’s a giant dead skull monkey killer?’ sheep!” *whispers* “But pugs will know it’s really worth a five, right?”

Dani Harper and QUEENIE – “Right!”