You can tell just by looking at the cover of the first issue of Gridley that it’s not going to be your standard Wild West tale.

In fact, creator Sid Quade has concocted a compelling cocktail of elements to create an unusual, unique story that takes us into a Weird West setting that’s unlikely to be similar to anything you’ve read before.

A vampire attack leaves the Kaftar – a tribe of anthropomorphic animals who sort of seem like a genetic mix of goats, hyenas, birds and perhaps more besides – named Gridley bitten and then exiled from his clan as a result.

Setting off for the city, the titular Kaftar assumes human form due to prejudice against his kind – and attempts to find, and join, the Wizarding Guild.

In Gridley’s world, however, it seems as if nothing is ever straightforward.

Quade has created a vibrant, interesting and wonderfully realised world in Gridley, as well as bringing a whole host of interesting characters and situations.

There’s an awful lot of world building and scene setting built into this first issue, which is a necessary evil; though the odd line of expository dialogue is slightly clunky, there’s an awful lot of the setting and its people for Quade to introduce readers to, so it’s easy to forgive.

Quade’s art is also beautiful, with plenty of detail and a lovely, cartoony style to its characters too.

We get more than one look at the prejudice that the Kaftar face, but it does seem – if you’re paying attention to the detailed artwork – that not all anthropomorphic animals are treated with such disdain in the world presented here.

The only element I had a slight issue with in this opening chapter was Gridley’s reason for exile; though it does feel as if the vampire bite is mentioned and then not really capitalised on by the end, it does of course plant a seed for some interesting developments in further issues.

It’s difficult to complain too much, in any case, given how much ground this first issue covers within its pages.

I left Gridley and the Weird West town of Talvit City immediately wanting to return to its dusty, magic-infused streets, populated by shady characters.

Here’s hoping that Sid Quade doesn’t leave it too long before releasing the second issue.

Many thanks to Sid Quade for providing me with the first issue of Gridley for review purposes.

You can buy Gridley Issue 1 from Amazon here.