Bojack Horseman may have initially appeared to be just another Adult Swim-alike parody of a Hollywood sitcom actor in their twilight years, but it a complex agenda that belied this impression, immediately whipsawing us into a crazy existential odyssey. Raphael Bob-Waksburg had delivered a genuine Netflix surprise. One where human and animal co-existed in a heightened reality that ripped the scab off thorny issues, sometimes delivering breathtaking clarity within its authentic narrative on the meaning of life.
Bojack Horseman: The Art Before the Horse, written by Charles McDonnell with Bojack cartoonist Lisa Hanawalt, kicks the doors open and takes you through the early development of this bizarre hit show. It is the perfect companion piece. So many of these type of books are a real pile of art wank. Borefests with imagery we have already seen online and capped off with some backslapping soundbites. The fact that the talent behind the show took such a personal interest in this publication is what shines brightly, setting this apart. It takes you through the entire development process with a sense of rare honesty.
The honesty extends to the artwork itself for these are far from polished scribblings. They are often rough, and it is fascinating to see the original designs for some of our favourite characters from the show. Diane, in particular, begins as a barely fleshed out racial stereotype (again with the honesty), before the introspective, but caring mess of a girl we know and love emerges. Todd is also barely recognisable, and the sight of a brown Princess Caroline just looks wrong, but the journey continues, the art evolves, and the book gets us there in the end. Leaving us much wiser about the creative workflow involved with an off the wall property such as this.
Bojack Horseman: The Art Before the Horse is essential reading for anyone that likes to hang out at Chateau Marmoset with Bojack and crew. It’s a beautifully finished, weird book for a weird show, which also happens to be one of the best TV series companion pieces ever published.
BOJACK HORSEMAN: THE ART BEFORE THE HORSE / AUTHOR: CHRIS MCDONNELL / PUBLISHER: ABRAMS BOOKS / RELEASE DATE: SEPTEMBER 4TH
