Netflix’s BoJack Horseman has quickly become one of the most critically acclaimed animated comedy series in recent memory. Set in an off-kilter, cynically spun rendering of modern-day Hollywood, the show follows washed-up horse actor BoJack Horseman (voiced by Will Arnett) as he attempts to turn his life around.
BoJack Horseman: The Art Before the Horse is the official behind-the-scenes companion to this cult-hit series. Part oral history sourced from original interviews with the show’s cast and crew, part art book—including sketches, storyboards, and background art—this book will trace the series from conception to post-production.
Beginning with the initial development of creator/ showrunner Raphael Bob-Waksberg and production designer Lisa Hanawalt’s inimitable aesthetic vision, The Art Before the Horse goes on to reveal all of the moving parts—direction, writing, casting, animation, and music—that come together to form this uniquely bleak, emotionally potent, very funny show.
About the Author
Chris McDonnell has designed books on Ralph Bakshi, Bill Plympton, the Joker, Wonder Woman, and more. McDonnell served as author and designer for Adventure Time: The Art of Ooo and Steven Universe: Art & Origins. He lives in Philadelphia.
Industry Reviews
"BoJack Horseman," a cartoon about an anthropomorphic horse, is one of the funniest shows on TV. The sumptuous and comprehensive "BoJack Horseman: The Art Before the Horse," about the show's character design and aesthetics, is fascinating." -- New York Times
"A behind-the-scenes companion that comes straight, as it were, from the horse's mouth. The text is an oral history of the Netflix show, backed by a full stable of concept art. Highlights include showrunner Raphael Bob-Waks berg's intro and Aaron Paul enjoying an episode on the set of Exodus: "I had to hold my fake beard in place because of my laughter." -- Total Film
"Bojack Horseman: The Art Before the Horse, offers an intimate and wonderfully quirky look at how real life stories and meticulous production came together to inspire the popular Netflix show centered around a horse(man) suffering the slings and arrows of show business. With an introduction by the show's creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg, the book takes readers on a journey through embarrassing experiences that became part of Bojack's dark and boozy story and reveals how its unique world came into focus with 121 pages of illustrations and concept art." -- Metrosource
"Netflix's BoJack Horseman has cemented itself as one of the best comedies - animated or live-action - of the past decade, thanks in large part to its meticulously detailed world and the fascinating design of its quirky characters. Every scene is brimming with visual gags, ridiculous animal puns and Hollywood-skewering easter eggs, to the point where it's impossible to catch them all in a single viewing - which is why a new book, BoJack Horseman: The Art Before the Horse, should appeal to fans of all stripes (and spots)." -- IGN
"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." -- Starburst
"In one section of the excellent new book BoJack Horseman: The Art Before The Horse, the show's writers discuss the idea of BoJack Horseman's "bad behavior" and thinking of the consequences of his actions as if he was a real person." -- The A.V. Club
"The Art Before the Horse, offers readers an all encompassing look at just how much time and effort has gone into making the popular series." -- ImagineFX
"An official behind-the-scenes companion book to BoJack Horseman so you can see what all the crazy-cool art looked like before it aired." -- Buzzfeed
"...the perfect companion book for fans of the irreverent Netflix animated series." -- Advocate Magazine online
