The Forbidden Planet International Blog Log

The Adventures Of Ninja Bunny

by Philip Spence

Ninja Bunny is about as small as you can make a comic and still enjoy it, with just a single panel on each of it’s 66 10cm x 9cm pages. (That’s pretty much actual size in the picture above). But that doesn’t matter as this is just as much object d’art as it is art, the quirkiness of it’s tiny dimensions makes it desirable to those looking for something a little bit different and fun. It’s reassuring to know that something unique and personal as this can actually find a place. I asked Philip about the reasons for the size of the comic and he kindly emailed his reply:

The size of the books are actually a little smaller than I originally intended though I always wanted them to be a square 1 panel per page format to reflect the style of the webcomic. During my self publishing print process however the pages shrunk a little.. I quite like the small size, in a way it makes the comic appear delicate and draws more focus on each panel than if they were just all cluttered together in the regular A5 format. Despite them not really fitting on a shelf with the usual comics the small size of them is something people are drawn to, so it’s probably helped me sell them at conventions.

Inside; the tiny, playful and wonderfully expressive art with almost no dialogue tells of Ninja Bunny’s quest across the “desert of doom” doing battle with a mysterious bandaged bunny and then a ninja cat along the way with only a magical bucket of seemingly endless weaponry to defend himself with (including, but not limited to; throwing stars, swords, Piranha fish & dynamite). In page after page and panel after panel Phillip tells a thrilling and funny little story, fast and furious and packs his art with far more emotion and expression than the minimalist characters should really be capable of.

(This four panel section had me smiling from ear to ear. After trying the shuriken to no effect, Ninja Cat taps sword in menacing way. Ninja Bunny taps empty, swordless pockets in desperate way. So much emotion and comedy in the body language – loved it.)

The Adventures Of Ninja Bunny is 66 pages of all out fighting bunny action, one panel per page, and each and every page is lovingly drawn and delightfully told with a confident, easy art style. It might not be commercial, but it’s definitely worthwhile. It’s fun and light and silly but it’s great entertainment and as such, great art. You’ll read it, like I did, from cover to cover with a huge smile on your face.

You can get this or Philip Spence’s previous Ninja Bunny book (16 pages this time) as well as a couple of very funky Ninja Bunny badge sets direct from the artist at www.ninja-bunny.com or email at phil@ninja-bunny.com . There’s an awful lot more Bunny goodness at the website as the Ninja Bunny webcomic has been running for over 3 years now. Or you can pick up his books from the Camden Comics Stall and the forthcoming Birmingham Comic Show, along with a host of other hand-made and eclectic comics. Phillip’s also just finished his first autobiographical comic: Fool’s Errand. Expect the review here soon.

Richard Bruton