Gothbunnies

Before I start anything in earnest, I'd like to say that when I first sat down to read through Gothbunnies I was expecting something far different. Now, as the writer of a slice-of-life comic with a gamer comic name, I'm not going to criticize - I just want to make it known that though the comic may sound like an anthropomorphic gag-a-day emo comic, it's not. Rather, Gothbunnies is a lighthearted fantasy story with dozens of well blended elements and a lot of promise.

I must admit, however, that 100 strips in to this fairly fast paced magical mystery and I'm still a little confused. I understand the basics of the story, but I'm a bit ambivalent about the direction. The three main characters have been explored with some depth, but it seems as though the other characters are only just now coming in view, leaving the identity of the antagonist, or antagonists, completely unknown and the direction somewhat fuzzy. Until a dozen or so strips ago, it wasn't even terribly clear that there would be an identifiable antagonist. A bit of attempted drowning and some magical aggression points to the existence of a villain, or at the very least a larger conflict, you're just not quite what flavor.

Now, I'm more than willing to entertain the notion that I'm just being impatient. I'm sure it won't be long until a few pieces slide into place and my confusion evaporates, but a little taste of clarity a few strips back would have eased some of my anxiety. All of that aside, I do like the feel of the story so far. The dialogue is well rounded and the characters feed off one another nicely, each one adding a new dimension to the story. There are touches of humor and hints of drama, and all-in-all, the writing is quite convincing.

Artistically, Gothbunnies is quite impressive. The character designs carry a nice blend of realism and style, with postures and clothing choices doing a great deal to accentuate their very different personalities. Done entirely in black and white, the line art is crisp and very professional. Backgrounds are simple and well integrated, and a quick scan of the archive shows how the artist has grown over time. Anyone curious for a look behind the scenes would do well to take a look at the Tutorial section which is a welcome addition and very easy to follow.

The website itself is pretty bare, but adequate. The cast page isn't quite complete, but does cover the main characters and doesn't give away the plot. The About page is definitely worth the read, but be aware that it's not so much about the comic as it is the history of the artist as it relates to the comic.

Overall, I give Gothbunnies a thumbs up. The story is progressing nicely, it's skillfully done, and I've high hopes for its future.