Indie Spotlight - Hardcore Hare #1

Rob checks out Hardcore Hare #1 from Caulkhead Comics…

When long time supporter - and all round legend - Andrw Sawyers reached out in regards to checking out a comic he’s had the fortune to draw the variant cover for - I couldn’t say no. Since starting Geek Culture Reviews, Andrw has been a great advocate for the blog, and along with fellow 77’ alumni, Dave Heeley, was a voice that spurred me on to creating GCR after my split from Flickering Myth. So to say that I owe Sawyers more than one favour is a bit of an understatement. Plus he’s a mate, and after all it’s what mates do! 

Anyway, Hardcore Hare is the debut comic from writer Dan Digby, and artist Lee Benstead. This opening issue asks the simple question of “Where is Shylock?”, to then proceed to get its answers with plenty of gratuitous violence. With a story that feels a lot like Watchmen mixed with Kick-Ass, and garnished with a splash of Sun Ciry, Hardcore Hare sets off to a good start. 

Underneath a striking variant cover by Andrw Sawyers, Dan Digby wastes no time in getting to work. No sooner have we caught a glimpse of the title character, he’s cracking skulls as he searches for a name - Shylock. It’s also this mystery character who drives this opening chapter forwards. After this opening we’re then given some exposition as our vigilante gets some respite within a local coffee shop. It’s here where those Watchmen vibes come as it’s pretty reminiscent of that scene between Rorschach and Night Owl. While Digby doesn’t go into the origins of his character, we do learn that while he can’t feel pain, he’s not invincible, and is somewhat operating alone. While the coffee shop owner seems to rally behind the “Bunny Man’s” cause, we’re just as in the dark. 

Moving forwards and the ending of the issue sets up the future as we see the other side of the preverbal coin. With a spate of arson happening across the city, something is brewing within the criminal underworld. With a group working with an unknown individual to start these fires, its heavily implied that they’re a beacon to draw out either the ‘Bunny Man’ or others like him. While we don’t get to see the voice on the telephone, we’re made to believe its the mysterious Shylock. And while his accomplices report on the opening ruckus in the night club, he orders them to get in touch with someone who deals with these threats. Which then leads me to think it’ll be another masked character. 

I’m deliberately being vague on the plot as it’s well worth heading into blind. It’s a real page turner as Digby takes us through some pretty intense action scenes to then slow things down to let it all sink in. While we don’t know much about the “Bunny Man” he’s portrayal is very reminiscent of Rorschach mixed with Bruce Wayne. He’s methodical in both going toe-to-toe with armed men, as well as making the bad guys piss themselves too. There’s also hints towards some kind of power as our guy doesn’t feel pain - although the how is not explained. 

Away from this and Digby sets his story up pretty well. We’re given small amounts of information that piques the reader’s interest in the here and now, while starting to stoke the fire that’ll come in future issues. Likewise, the titular character remains an enigma with plenty of questions surrounding his origins, and “powers”. 

Lee Benstead perfectly captures the gritty environments with plenty of urban environments that feel straight out of Gotham City. While we don’t know if this locale is based on any real word location, Benstead really sells the lawless environment so the his art work. Elsewhere and the action scenes are also well presented with plenty of varied view points that allows the fights to flow from panel to panel. Character work is also of a similar character, and while everything is somewhat grounded in our own world, the sight of a blood soaked guy dressed up as a white rabbit will always be a scene stealer! 

Overall I’m glad I got to check out Hardcore Hare. While the story of a masked vigilante battling the criminal underworld is a tale as old as time - it’s the execution that sets these cliches apart. And thankfully it’s one that Digby and Benstead have nailed in this first issue.

Rating: 8/10

If you want to checkout Hardcore Hare for yourself then you can grab the Andrw Sawyers variant by clicking here. 

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Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow us on Twitter/Facebook @GeekCultureRev, and TikTok/YouTube @Geekculturereviews.