Anthropomorphic fox character wearing glasses and superhero costume holding a book.

Embark on a journey through storytelling magic, where creativity knows no bounds. Dive into our fantastical realm, where imagination flows freely, and every word carries a hint of enchantment. Don’t just read - experience the wonder.

This page features the many graphic novel
series written and illustrated by Ryan Poirier

Logo with the text 'The Herd' in yellow letters and a stylized fox head in the background.
Visit the Farm Freaks
Logo with text 'Farm Freaks' in a red barn shape
Start with Part 1!
Book cover featuring illustrated characters with vibrant colors, titled 'The Herd Vol. 1, Part 1' by Ryan Poirier.
Book cover design featuring anthropomorphic animal characters in vibrant costumes. The title reads 'The Herd Vol. 1 Part 2.5' and is authored by Ryan Poirier. A black tower looms in the background with light blue rays emanating from behind it. The characters are cartoonish and dynamic, suggesting action or superhero themes.
Comic book cover titled "The Herd Vol. 1 Part 2" featuring animated characters in superhero costumes with purple striped background, including silhouettes of villains and a detective.
Cover of 'The Herd Vol. 1 Part 3' by Ryan Poirier, featuring illustrated anthropomorphic animals in superhero costumes with a large menacing figure in the background and a vibrant pink and orange backdrop.

"The Herd" unfolds as an award-winning superhero origin saga with a twist, centered around a quirky ensemble of wannabe heroes who derive their powers from an unexpected source—a contaminated bottle of fruit juice. This comedic adventure kicks off with an act of sabotage by a disgruntled employee at Foxy Fruits, a prominent fruit juice company in Maple City. The employee's malicious act of introducing a secret formula into the juice production line unwittingly unleashes a city-wide supernatural pandemic, transforming ordinary citizens into beings with bizarre and uncontrollable powers.

At the heart of this crisis is Fox Canidae, the beleaguered CEO of Foxy Fruits, who finds himself facing not just a corporate nightmare but a threat to the very fabric of Maple City. With his company's reputation and the city's safety at stake, Fox assembles an amateur team of heroes, dubbed "The Herd," to counter the chaos and prevent the superpowered pandemic from breaching the city's borders.

"The Herd" is a satirical take on the superhero genre, featuring an anthropomorphic cast of characters that bring a unique blend of humor, action, and heart to the story. The narrative spans four volumes, each escalating the stakes as Fox and his team grapple with their newfound abilities, confront villains from the nefarious group "The Pack," and strive to safeguard the city and its inhabitants.

As the situation in Maple City spirals, "The Herd" faces challenges that test their resolve, teamwork, and understanding of their powers. From dramatic escapes and kidnappings to internal conflicts and the threat of an ever-expanding pandemic, the series weaves a tale of heroism, family, and the quest to do right in the face of overwhelming odds.

With its all-ages appeal, "The Herd" offers a vibrant, action-packed, and humor-filled reading experience, inviting readers to #followtheherd through twists, turns, and an array of pop culture nods, ensuring an engaging journey for both young readers and adults alike. This origin story, with its colorful art and meta humor, redefines what it means to be a hero, making "The Herd" a must-read for fans of superhero tales with a light-hearted edge.

Celebrated for its excellence, "The Herd" has garnered significant acclaim, winning five prestigious awards: first place in the Winning Writers North Street Book Prize for their graphic novel category at the end of 2021, a Readers' Choice Book Award for Best Children's Book ages 8-12 in June of 2022, a Finalist award for the Canadian Book Club Awards and a first place award with The Book Fest Awards in October of 2022, and concluding the year with its 5th award, the 1st place Royal Dragonfly Book Award for Graphic Novel Ebook at the end of December 2022. These accolades underscore "The Herd's" remarkable impact and its place as a distinguished contribution to the graphic novel genre.​​

Cover of the book "The Herd Vol. 1" by Ryan Poirier, featuring illustrated characters with colorful attire against a fiery background. The cover displays various award stickers.
A cartoon fox superhero in a red and yellow costume, with a mask and orange tail, standing in a confident pose.

"A madcap spoof of superhero comics that proceeds like a classic TV cartoon series. The Herd is just the kind of book I could enjoy reading along with my 9-year-old." - Jendi Reiter, Winning Writers - North Street Book Prize

Emblem of a lion's head with the text 'North Street Book Prize' in a circular arrangement around it. Below the emblem is a black rectangle with 'FIRST PRIZE' written inside.

Story Monsters' Royal Dragonfly Book Award First Place for Graphic Novel EBook

Gold medal with text "The BookFest Award Winner" and star rating
Royal Dragonfly Book Award badge, first place
Reader's Choice Book Award Finalist badge with five stars and open book icon.

The BookFest Awards - First Place Award for "Comics Superheroes" Category

"An imaginative story, with magnificent digital artwork. A FINALIST and highly recommended!"​​ - Readers' Choice Book Awards 

Badge indicating a finalist in the Canadian Book Club Awards.

2022 Canadian Book Club Awards Finalist
-  Children’s/Early Reader Literature

 

 
“This is a top-notch fiction. Full of action and vivid character presentation, loaded with humor, great values, and fantastic illustrations!  5 Stars!!"
- IG: @she_reads_and_promotes

International Impact Book Awards winner badge

2024 International Impact Book Award

Five gold stars in a row, representing a five-star rating.
Five gold stars in a row on a transparent background.

"The story had many funny instances that made me laugh so hard! This book becomes intense as the story goes on and the ending was beautiful! 5/5 Stars!"
- gluedtobook.wordpress.com

Five gold stars in a row on a transparent background.

“A Captivating, thrilling, and memorable story that will take readers on a spellbinding and exciting journey from beginning to end! 5 Stars!”
- redheadedbooklover.com

 “The greatest aspect of this book is that anybody from youngsters to grown-ups can appreciate it. I adored how special and basic the story was and this book drew out the 90’s animation sentimentality for me.”
- IG: @reads.grace

 "The best part about the book is that anybody from youngsters to grown-ups can peruse this book and appreciate it all through. I adored how exceptional and basic the story was and this book drew out the 90's animation sentimentality for me. Indeed, the novel has a silly edge that makes it a fascinating read."
- IG: @an.authors.heart

A lineup of animated animal characters in diverse, colorful costumes, each displaying unique characteristics and holding various objects, against a black background.

A Scene from The Herd - “Gathering The Herd”
(click on image to enlarge.)

MORE FROM THE WORLD OF THE HERD!

THE ART OF THE HERD - THE EVOLUTION OF A FOX

For anyone who has read The Herd and want a more in depth look at the making of this series, this Exclusive Bonus Content Art Book is for you! This 124 page art book is a behind-the-panels look at the creation and evolution of The Herd over the past 22 years! Featuring original sketches/designs, redesign process, character profiles of used, unused, and still to come heroes and villains. Scenic artwork, marketing artwork, comics strips, deleted scenes notes along with 3 full complete scenes that were cut, a look at the future of The Herd, and so much more!

Purchase Art Book

HUES OF THE HERD - THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOURED DREAM TEAM
COLOURING BOOK (…phew!)

Step into the whimsical world of "The Herd" and unleash your imagination with this enchanting coloring book! Each page offers a new opportunity to explore, color, and immerse yourself in the magic of "The Herd." Perfect for artists of all ages, this coloring book is more than just a collection of pictures—it's an invitation to join the journey with your artistic flair! Whether you're a longtime fan or discovering "The Herd" for the first time, you'll find endless fun and inspiration within these pages. (...well, 50-pages of fun anyway!) Grab your art supplies and let your creativity run wild as you embark on this juice-powered journey! There's even some space to create your own hero for "The Herd" or villain for "The Pack!"

Purchase Coloring Book

THE HERD TAROT CARDS

Have your Fortune told through the whimsical world of The Herd! Featuring fully customized cards with artwork from The Herd, including characters not yet seen in the series! Each deck comes with 78 digitally hand drawn brightly colored tarot cards, 30 character cards and a QR code to a digital guide book and free eBook sample of Chapter 1 for The Herd!

Purchase Tarot Cards

Variants of The Herd

Comic book cover featuring a muscular fox superhero in a red and yellow costume with a black mask. The title "Fantastic Fox" and "Volume 1" are prominently displayed. The superhero is flying with clenched fists and intense expression. Several award seals are visible, indicating accolades. The comic belongs to a series called "The Herd."

Variant by
Celebrity Artist
Kurt Lehner

Comic book cover illustration featuring anthropomorphic animals in superhero costumes, including a fox, raccoon, and rabbit, with the title 'The Herd' in stylized lettering.
Comic book cover featuring cartoon animals in superhero costumes, titled 'The Herd.' The characters are poised for action, with one holding a futuristic weapon. A small robot figure appears in the background. A circular inset shows another character with the text 'Also Featuring... This Guy!'"

Variant by
Legendary Comic Artist
Dan Day

Variant by
Award-Winning Artist
Alfonso Espinos

Illustration of anthropomorphic animals in vintage attire holding bottles, with the text "The Herd" and a slogan. Fox, rabbit, and others appear in suits and hats, promoting a fictional beverage. Art by Charlotte Forester.
Illustration of five anthropomorphic animals in superhero costumes, with the text 'The Herd' in bold on a stylized logo. The animals are posed dynamically on a bright background with yellow and orange rays.

Variant by
Noir Artist
Charlotte Forrester

Variant by
Author & Artist
Roxy Reed

Illustration of anthropomorphic animal superheroes in colorful outfits posing triumphantly in front of a cityscape, featuring four characters, each with their own unique costume and powers.

Variant by
Comic Artist
Craig Ferguson

Comic book cover for "The Herd Volume 1" featuring superhero animals, including a rabbit and a bear, standing in front of a sewer with colorful liquid flowing out. In the background, a villainous figure is levitating, surrounded by a mystical aura, with a cityscape and a sign for "The Punkin's Lurking Store." The top text reads "Get Juiced!" and colorful bottles of suspicious liquid are on the ground.

Variant by
Author & Artist
Ryan Poirier

The Herd Book Trailer

The Herd Book Trailer

The Herd Book Trailer

All About The Herd

More on The Herd

A returning visit to Central Valley Talks - Briggs on Books to discuss The Herd, Farm Freaks, and all Accidental Creations!

Logo with text 'Farm Freaks' in a red barn shape
Follow The Herd
Illustration of three UFOs with colorful lights flying in space

"Farm Freaks" unveils the enchanting saga of a band of eccentric animals led by the unflappable Curdled the Cow. This 7-part graphic novel miniseries takes readers on a rollicking adventure through the pages of a found journal, chronicling a week of outlandish happenings on the most unconventional farm you'll ever encounter. Each volume, representing a day, is a visual feast, styled as a weathered, leather-bound diary that shows a progression of wear and tear, and inviting readers into the heart of Melancholy Meadows. A place where the ordinary is anything but.

The story begins as our motley crew, notorious for their hijinks, finds themselves at Melancholy Meadows, a farm that seems dull under the strict surveillance of Boris, a no-nonsense bull with little patience for nonsense. Yet, as Curdled and his companions start to peel back the layers, they uncover a world brimming with secrets, proving that this farm is as much a misfit as they are.

Designed with a cartoonish flair, "Farm Freaks" is a delightful blend of simplicity and satire, making it an accessible read for children while offering a sharp-witted edge for adult readers. Each installment's cover grows increasingly tattered, mirroring the escalating chaos within the story, adding a tactile dimension to the reader's journey.

As the narrative unfolds, readers are kept guessing about the journal's author, a mystery that only unravels in the closing pages. Beyond the laughter and the mystery, "Farm Freaks" imparts a profound moral: "Be your BEST self! It's okay to be different; the world would be boring if we were all the same!" This core message resonates through the zany escapades and heartwarming camaraderie of the Farm Freaks, making it not just a story, but a celebration of individuality and friendship.

Cartoon cow smiling and looking at its vibrating belly against a black background.
Book titled "Farm Freaks Day 1 - The Arrival" with cartoon animals on the cover.
Cartoon cow with mushrooms on its back in a humorous pose.
Start with Day 1 - The Arrival
Book cover of "Farm Freaks: Day 2 - The Accident" featuring illustrated farm animals.
Cartoon creature with purple skin and hair, wearing a dark outfit and laughing.
Book cover featuring cartoon farm animals in a wooden setting, with the title 'Farm Freaks' on a faux leather background. The text 'Day 3 - The Rescue' is also present.
Book cover of "Farm Freaks" featuring cartoon animals like a cow, sheep, and pig, with a wooden background and the words "Confidential" and "Day 4 - The Secret."
Cartoon bunny laughing and pointing.

All About The Farm Freaks!

Two cartoon chickens riding a tandem bicycle; the front chicken is brown, and the back chicken is white with a pink bow.

Day 6 - The Invasion

In Production

Day 7 - The Departure

In Production

All About The Farm Freaks!

"A light read that will pique the children’s interest till the very end. Ryan has done an amazing job with the graphics in addition to the story. It is sure to make a lasting impression on the minds of the younger audience. Highly recommended from my side." - IG: Geereadssss

Five gold stars in a row


"This book is full of creativity and is like a wonder book for any child on their shelf!" 
5/5 Stars! - Booksatpoint

Five gold stars in a row
A cartoon scene titled "Farm Freaks" featuring diverse characters and animals in front of a barn. There's a barn, farmhouse, and RV in the background, with UFOs and the moon in the sky. Characters include various animals, aliens, and people in different attires, standing in a line across the foreground.

"All children would love to read this book!"  5/5 Stars! - Booksbyshobhad

A Scene from Farm Freaks
Day 5 - The Festival
”Curdled Takes Flight!”
(click on image to enlarge.)

Accidents Waiting to Happen

Some other projects in development at
Accidental Creations!

Stylized text reading "Duel Dragons" on a black background.
A group of five cartoon characters with unique appearances standing in a row. The first character looks like a gray zombie with yellow eyes holding a smartphone. Next to it is a pink, anthropomorphic winged creature wearing a green top and white shorts. The third character is a tall red dragon with wings. The fourth is a small blue creature with a devilish smile. Lastly, there is a small pink pig-like creature with sharp teeth and a bow on its head.
Three animated characters: a female in a purple and black outfit, a small bald man in a white lab coat with glasses, and a tall green-skinned Frankenstein-like figure wearing ripped clothing.
Three fictional characters; a dinosaur-like humanoid, a dark-haired woman in black armor, and a blonde woman with body paint and white outfit, posing together.
Three animated superhero characters: one in red armor with green hair, surrounded by red energy; a second in a dark trench coat with a hat, green face, and purple-green aura; a third female character in blue with blue flames, mask, long hair, and thigh-high boots.
The Fates logo in red with a stylized, angular font on a black background.
Three animated alien characters: a green humanoid with a spear, a bird-like figure in a superhero costume, and a robotic creature with neon accents on a black background.
Cartoon featuring an elephant and a fox depicted in three scenes. In the first scene, the fox is dressed as a pirate next to a treasure chest, and the elephant is a mermaid. The second scene shows the fox on the elephant's head, reaching for cookies in a kitchen. The third scene has both characters at a playground with a swing set. The title "Everly & Finigan" is at the bottom.
Stylized text "Everly & Finnigan" with "Everly" in purple and "Finnigan" in orange.
Logo with the text "Monster Memoirs" in colorful, stylized fonts on a white, irregularly shaped background.
Cartoon group of Halloween monsters including a vampire, witch, werewolf, creature, mummy, ghosts with cigars, and a character in a fishbowl. Characters are standing together in a humorous, animated style.