Hairball #1 cover a

Hairball is a simple tale of a girl, her parents, a move, and a stray cat. Anna has just been adopted to a couple who aren't ready to be parents if there is even the slightest difficulty in front of them. Both harbor regrets and resentments towards each other, and towards Anna. Both are cheating. Dad's a bit of a hitter. In order to help with the transition into their new home, they let Anna keep a stray cat that arrives on moving day. That would be a sweet gesture if the cat, Bestie, didn't bite her, cough up hairballs all the time, and tell Anna not to speak to her therapist what bad things she has planned for this group.

Bestie is more than what she seems. Her bite is more like a vampire's. Worms and rot flow from the wounds, and speak to Anna. Her tongue scars and brands. Her hairballs crawl and slide, with purpose. With menace.

This creepfest is brought to you by Matt Kindt, Tyler Jenkins, and Hilary Jenkins. Kindt has a great ear for dialogue spoken by people who should be separated immediately, selfish and short. You won't be rooting for anyone here. Tyler Jenkins has a loose cartooning style. There's not a ruler in sight, and it adds to the discomfort. Hilary Jenkins colors with a dark watercolor palette that could just as easily fit into an Alien comic. The book is printed on a higher quality paper to bring out the best in both Jenkins' work, and is worth the upgrade and additional cost. A lovingly drawn gateway into an American feline nightmare, Hairball is highly recommended.