Things are not looking good for the indoor cats and the stray dogs as the situation in the makeshift CDC facility continues to worsen. As we saw last issue in Feral #23, Moosh is scheduled to be euthanized, and a serial killer is stalking the halls of the facility. When the indoor cats attempted to escape, Elsie and Chloe were recaptured and injected with an experimental formula that turned Leland into a rabies-crazed monster.
In Feral #22, Tony Fleecs, Tone Rodriguez, Trish Forstner, and Brad Simpson gave us an issue that brought together the Feral indoor cats and the cast of Stray Dogs in one issue for the first time. In this crossover arc, the indoor cats and stray dogs are being held in a former middle school converted into an ad hoc CDC facility, as the organization continues its efforts to contain the rabies outbreak spreading beyond its control.
SPOILERS AHEAD for Feral #24!
In the opening of Feral #24, we see a conversation take place between two of the CDC scientists in which we learn that they believe they have achieved active immunity in one subject. This is a significant breakthrough, and one that indicates that the scientists have accomplished a major breakthrough in ending the rabies outbreak once and for all. The matter of who has achieved active immunity is an ongoing mystery, and one that the book will be continuing to explore, as the identity of the subject who is immune is never revealed in the issue.
Once the scientists realize that the indoor cats have broken free of their cages, a facility-wide lockdown is ordered, and the cats frantically search for a means of escape. Chaos ensues when the indoor cats stumble on cages containing rabid cats, including Leland, who break out of their cages and give chase to the horrified and frightened indoor cats. The Feral portion of the issue ends with Chloe finding Moosh in a sterile room being used for euthanasia and testing.
The indoor cats find themselves surrounded by the “bad kind”, who are infected with rabies. (Credit: Image Comics)
Much like the indoor cats, the stray dogs are trapped in what seems to be a never-ending nightmare in the CDC facility. When the dogs stumble upon the incinerator room, they are aghast to discover that the bodies of deceased dogs are being disposed of by being tossed in the incinerator. The sight of other dogs being immolated before their eyes is enough to send the dogs running away with their tails tucked between their legs.
One of the dogs, Trudy, is grabbed by a man in a hazmat suit, who is revealed to be the serial killer the dogs refer to as “The Master”. Trudy manages to free herself from the clutches of “The Master” by biting his hand, causing him to drop her. However, the man’s arm catches fire when he stumbles backwards towards the incinerator. In the ensuing panic, one of the dogs is snatched up and carried off by “The Master”.
The group begins to argue amongst themselves, as they are divided on whether they should leave their fellow dog behind or if they should try and save themselves. The issue ends with the indoor cats and the stray dogs together in the same room for the first time since this crossover began. What will happen during this monumental meeting when the two casts of characters finally meet face-to-face? Will the cats and dogs be able to join forces to save Mooch from euthanasia and escape the facility? All will be revealed in the next issue!
Feral #24 is another exciting installment in a series that has never once taken its foot off the gas in terms of thrills and chills. These poor cats have never known a true moment of peace as they are forced to flee from one danger after another in search of safety. As always, the art continues to be the perfect blend of cute and gruesome. The creative team never lets you forget that while the protagonists may be adorable, this is still a horror comic.
The Feral/Stray Dogs crossover will conclude next month with Feral #25, a “historic extra-length” issue, which Image Comics promises will end with one of the animals not making it out alive. Who will survive, and who will perish?
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