Grassman : Ohio's Favorite Cryptid is AVAILABLE NOW

messedcomics
Jun 13
3 min read

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jay B. Kalagayan messedcomics@gmail.com

Is the Ohio Grassman Just Misunderstood? New Comic Explores the Buckeye State's Favorite Cryptid

The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers meets Bigfoot!

Cincinnati, OH – June 13, 2025 Central Ohio's forests are rumored to be home to the elusive Grassman, a towering, hairy, bipedal creature that has long terrified campers with its eerie howls and glowing eyes. But what if there's more to this cryptid than meets the eye? A new comic book, Grassman, Ohio's Favorite Cryptid, delves into the mystery, exploring the possibility that the Grassman's reclusive nature stems from a love of the environment, a desire for peace, or even a fondness for certain herbal delights.

"Grassman is basically Ohio’s very own Bigfoot. So, of course, because of his namesake, Grassman gets recruited by an edibles company to be their representative. Get it? Grass-man? It's perfect," says writer Jay B. Kalagayan.

Grassman, Ohio's Favorite Cryptid is part of "THE CRYPTID CORNER" campaign, an initiative seeking support to help small indie publishers cover production costs and compensate their talented artists. The book features the work of several Ohio-based artists, bringing a unique vision to this legendary creature.

"Working alongside some of Ohio's most talented artists was a true thrill," says Kalagayan. "Bringing Grassman's adventures to life, especially within the nostalgic framework of vintage Hostess comic ads, was an absolute blast."

Kat Klockow, a contributing artist, podcast host, and author, offers a unique perspective on the Grassman:

"Ohio is odd. Residents of the Buckeye State take pride in this. We like being odd in our odd state filled with odd things. The Ohio Grassman is an elusive beast, choosing to stay in the deep, dark forests of Central Ohio, away from the prying eyes of human inhabitants. But perhaps we have Grassman wrong? Perhaps Grassman loves to live hidden in the forest so he can enjoy his own brand of grass? It is in his name, after all. Or, the chilling Ohio Howls that frighten clueless campers in the middle of the night are really him trying out a new hot sauce? Maybe, just maybe, the oddest thing about Grassman is his love for the great outdoors, defending the environment from ne'er-do-wells, and an immense fondness for snacking. Maybe that isn’t so odd after all."

The book aims to redefine the narrative around this misunderstood cryptid, blending humor, mystery, and a touch of the surreal.

Book Details:

Title: Grassman, Ohio’s Favorite Cryptid
Writer: Jay B. Kalagayan
Illustrators: Tim Fuller, Kevin Necessary, Brandon Wagner, Kat Klockow, and Geoff Raker
Pin up artwork by Sherwin Quiambao
Pages: 24
Price: $9.99

About the Creators:

Jay B. Kalagayan is a Filipino American creator and director of Creative Mussel, the indie publisher of MeSseD Comics, The Intrusion, Filipino Assassin and other creative projects. Creative Mussel, now in its eighth year, seeks to be a publisher that supports diverse artists, promotes creators, and makes untold stories accessible.
Kat Klockow is an enthusiast of all things grim and macabre, which shows in her work as a haunted history author and horror illustrator. She is the editor of the Cincinnati Cabinet of Curiosities anthology series, host of the Hometown Haunts Podcast, and author of Ohio’s Haunted Crimes by Schiffer Publishing.
Tim Fuller is an illustrator living in Northern Kentucky and active in the Cincinnati, Ohio comic scene. He writes and draws comic books, mostly about talking animals. His Sham Comics series takes public domain material from the 40s and 50s and rewrites them as social satires. His work can be seen at: www.hoohacomics.com
Kevin Necessary is an editorial cartoonist and illustrator based in his hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio. His work has appeared in various publications such as Politico, USA Today, and The Week, and more. He is known for his humorous and often poignant commentary on local and national issues. You can find his cartoons at kevinnecessary.substack.com.
Brandon Wagner is a born and raised Cincinnatian, a comics writer, illustrator, educator and celebrator. After graduating from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a BFA, he returned home to the Queen City and joined the Cincinnati Comic Creators and later got a chance to help with a comics class with the Art Academy of Cincinnati.
Geoff Raker Is a passionate designer and photographer with over 28 years experience. He has designed every book Creative Mussel has ever published. Has a long career in design working at CityBeat, F&W Media, Formica, Regal/Rexnard and Relevate Health.