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Rachael Smith’s “The Rabbit” graphic novel launches in September

By John Freeman on July 23, 2015

Art by Rachael Smith

Comic creator Rachael Smith and the Avery Hill Publishing crew will be launching The Rabbit, Rachel’s second graphic novel, at Manchester’s Travelling Man comic shop on Friday 28th August and London’s Orbital Comics on Friday 11th September 2015.

Following her debut, critically acclaimed graphic novel House Party, The Rabbit tells the story of Eleanor and her younger sister Kathy, who have run away from school, from home and from all of their troubles. They may also be running from reality itself, as they seem to have acquired a new friend in the form of a talking cartoon bunny rabbit called Craig.

Rachael Smith, creator of the graphic novel House Party. Photo: Antony Esmond

Rachael Smith, creator of the graphic novel House Party and The Rabbit. Photo: Antony Esmond.

As Craig grows bigger and bigger, the girls soon discover exactly what kind of creature has joined them on their adventure. Running away is not as easy as it seems…

Avery Hill tell us The Rabbit is set to be one of the best graphic novels of 2015, and Rachael will be at Orbital Comics on Friday 11th September to lovingly sign and draw in books and to answer any and all questions about drawing comics and giant rabbits.

The Travelling Man launch event will be followed by also be having an after-party at Black Dog Ballroom – ask for details on the night. Attendees first through the door will get a limited edition bookplate.

The first 100 customers at the Orbital Comics launch party will also receive an exclusive bookplate which Rachael has produced especially for Orbital and a limited number of free bookmarks, free badges, and free rabbit-themed confectionary will also be given away. Not to mention free drinks!

“I’ve had The Rabbit kicking about in my head for a couple of years now, ” says Rachael, “so it’s lovely to be able to release it into the world.

“When I did House Party I was in a pretty similar position as the main character, Michelle – so it felt very apt and slightly autobiographical. The Rabbit is less autobiographical and a lot more surreal, but there are a few similarities between me as a little girl and Kathy, the younger sister in the story. Kathy is always wondering about the big questions and worrying about things she doesn’t understand, Eleanor is much more pragmatic and practical, and gets frustrated with her sister’s whimsical nature.

“Both sisters have been a blast to write and draw, I love them a lot.”

“The Rabbit” Limited Edition Bookplate that will be available at the Travelling Man launch event.

• The Rabbit Launch Party, 7.00 – 10.00pm, Travelling Man, 4-4A Dale Street, Manchester M1 1JWM. Web: www.travellingman.com | Check out the Facebook event page here

• The Rabbit Launch Party, 7.00 – 9.00pm, Orbital Comics, 8 Great Newport Street, London WC2H 7JA . There will be special signed bookplate editions for Orbital customers. Web: www.orbitalcomics.com | Check out the Facebook event page here

• If you can’t make it on the night and fancy a signed copy of The Rabbit (plus a special one-of-a-kind Rabbit bookmark!), order your copy directly from Avery Hill – www.averyhillpublishing.com. Alternatively order a bookplate edition from Orbital’s online store

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.