From Usagi Yojimbo to Bucky O Hare, we love an anthropomorphised rabbit hero. So with Easter just behind us, we check out Stu Perrins and Israel Huertas’ Megatomic Battle Rabbit from Fair Spark Books. In which an alien bunny crashes to Earth and befriends a young boy, but will this title be worthy of hunting (in a good way) or will it need to hop on?

Publisher: Fair Spark Books
Writer: Stu Perrins, Dan Rushton (Editor)
Artist: Israel Huertas
Price: £1.50 Digital or £3.00 print from Fair Spark Books

Megatomic Battle Rabbit follows the titular character (although his mother has referred to him as Bob) as he winds up crashing onto Earth after his Dustbug spacecraft develops a fault. Now, stranded on this Green and Blue Mud ball with a species of Primitive Ape Descendants (as his onboard computer D.A.V.E. calls them), MBR must find a way to avoid discovery and capture until his rescue. Of course, this is made easier when he encounters young Dexter Draper, an avid Sci-Fi and Fantasy nut who is beyond excited to have found a real alien. However, will Dexter’s help be enough for MBR as his presence because known by Government agents eager to find him.

Stu Perrins has put together a fun little title which feels very suitable for any and all ages. With the tone of it’s story being a cross between Red Mask from Mars and Unit 44, the main plot feels heavily inspired from funny alien films like Paul as we see MBR attempt to keep one step ahead of any nefarious groups who want to capture him. The strength of this series in our view is Perrins’ hilarious use of narration as he plays a sort of omniscient observer (like Lemony Snicket from an Unfortunate Series of Events) to describe much of what is going on – but with an almost deprecating slant. This ‘twist’ on the narration, really makes the title funny and easy to read. However, beyond that, there is little to write home about as the story, while funny, isn’t overly complicated or unique. With many of the characters not really shining through and no real in depth focus it feels fairly generic. The exception to this is government agent Priscilla Parker who actually feels too over the top. Although it references a focal point for the story to move towards, the plot also feels quite meandering in these first two issues.

Israel Huertas’ art, on the other hand, looks very strong as it matches the story’s apparent influences with an art style that imbues something of both Vince Hunt’s popular comic and the Alterna title with its sharp, crisp pencils. Meanwhile, the colour palette used here is strongly reminiscent of Dan Butcher’s Vanguard with a contrasting scheme of dark against light to really make the panel pop. the Megatomic Battle Rabbit himself is an incredibly defined character visually, giving a sense or vibe of the Tick as a reference for his physique. Huerta’s style here is visually stunning and maintains a real consistency, even if there is nothing particular stand out about it.

Megatomic Battle Rabbit is a bit of a mixed bag. While the art is gorgeous and the narration of the story is wonderfully humorous, this is a series which feels like it is missing clear direction and identity for itself. Frustratingly, Megatomic Battle Rabbit feels just short of it’s full potential as a rather cool idea. That said, with two issues still to go, the finale may allow it to reach that bar and make the whole arc a terrific read from start to finish. Therefore, i’d recommend checking it out, although maybe after the entire series has been released and reviewed.