Generally speaking, I’m a huge comic fanboy. Each great story I’ve read seems to be just a little better than the last; which is what has fueled my passion for the medium for so many years. Normally, when I find a great comic, I review it, tell you all to look for it, and move on my merry way. That’s just not gonna cut it this time. Chickenhare by Chris Grine is unlike anything I’ve ever read, and that is unbelievably refreshing. Before I go any farther in this love fest for, what is now the newest addition to my favorite comics, let me just say this. Chickenhare IS for EVERYONE. The stories are simple, witty, and incredibly addicting and you WILL fall in love with the characters almost from the word GO.

Living in Seattle, I’m lucky to be apart of a HUGE comic community. Not only am I surrounded by great comic book shops, but our amazing public library gives comics the respect they deserve. It’s actually at the library that I came a crossed the first two volumes of Chickenhare. While Casey flipped through the latest running magazine, I sat down with Chickenhare Vol.1 House of Klaus, thinking I’d get a cheap laugh. Not a cheap laugh as in, “I’d be entertained”, no. With a name like “Chickenhare” I thought I would sit down and openly mock the hell out of this thing, like the jerk I am. My god I couldn’t be more wrong. I plowed through the first book in 20 minutes, openly laughing like an idiot in the quiet section of the library and finished the second volume, “Fire in the Hole” the following night.

So just what is a “Chickenhare?” Well, simply put, its what you get when a chicken and a rabbit have a kid. More importantly however, is what Chickenhare the comic is; perfection. The art is simplicity at its best, not a single line is wasted  and there is not a panel out of place. This is a compliment I’ve only ever given to one other artist, the great Stan Sakai of Usagi Yojimbo fame.

The stories place a group of four loveable characters up against seemingly unbeatable odds, with good prevailing in clever, unpredictable ways. Chickenhare achieves something that oh so few books can. I would read this book to my own child (whenever I should have one) without a moments hesitation, and yet, I would recommend it to the snobbiest of comic fans.

There is one more thing I need to mention in my little love fest here. Dark Horse published the first two volumes in great little trades, with the first volume getting some genuine Eisner buzz. However, apparantely the sales of vol. 2 did not live up to the expectations of Dark Horse. Instead of staying down though, Chris Grine has decided to give his fans the ENTIRE third volume, entitled “Fish and Gymps” for free on his website. That’s right, without having to drop a penny, you can see just what I’m talking about here. But please, if you can, don’t stop there, go and pick up the first two volumes as well, they truly are great reads.

I don’t know what else I can say to encourage you to read this. Perhaps I could dance a jig? Then again… I assure you, the world is a far better place if I don’t dance. All joking aside, Chickenhare is a book that needs to find a strong fan base in order to keep this amazing story going, so just this once, I’m asking you to go ahead and leave Gin & Comics to go check out Chickenhare. It’s ok… honest, I’ll be here when you get back. When you fall in love though, remember who sent ya.

Here’s the link to start reading Vol.3 from the beginning.  Chickenhare Vol.3 “Fish and Gymps”.