- Title: The Goat: Pope Lick Creek Monster
- Writer: Jay B. Kalagayan
- Illustrator: Ethan Pope
- Publisher: Creative Mussel
- Pages: 24
- Price: $9.99
- ISBN: 978-0-9992302-3-7
- Release date: October 2025
Prepare to be railroaded into a world of terror! Creative Mussel is thrilled to announce the launch of THE GOAT: POPE LICK CREEK MONSTER, a new cryptid adventure horror comic book that takes a train-ing eye to classic American folklore, adding much-needed diversity. This terrifying tale, which promises to derail your expectations, is set against the backdrop of one of Kentucky’s most infamous landmarks, the Pope Lick Trestle.
A Bloodcurdling Trip Across the Trestle
THE GOAT: POPE LICK CREEK MONSTER, written by Jay B. Kalagayan and vividly illustrated by Ethan Pope, plunges readers into a Kentucky night shattered by a desperate, silent cry. This cry echoes off the iron of the notorious Pope Lick Trestle, a structure already steeped in local legend and a magnet for thrill-seekers. The comic asks: Who is calling for help, and what monster lurks on the tracks?
Steaming Ahead with Inclusive Folklore
Filipino American writer Jay B. Kalagayan passionately discusses the motivation behind the project, emphasizing the need for more representative American myths. “We deserve to see ourselves reflected in these stories,” Kalagayan states. “This land has a rich tapestry of cultures… Wouldn’t it be incredible to weave these diverse histories into the fabric of American folklore? This might just be the spark for something bigger.”
The book’s focus on Indigenous and diverse histories has already garnered high praise:
- “Jay and Ethan have created an incredible work that draws on the deep history of Indigenous Peoples. THE GOAT is the start of a new folklore that centers the voices of the original people of Turtle Island in an electrifying way!” – Dr. IndigiNerd (Lee Francis 4, Ph.D.)
- “THE GOAT hooked me instantly with its captivating story and superb art, I want more ASAP” – Bearded Comic Bro
- “THE GOAT is an intriguing exploration of Ohio’s folklore and its indigenous cultures wrapped in an atmospheric, action-packed package.” – Jiba Molei Anderson, MFA & CEO – Griot Enterprises
Illustrating the Ghastly Greatness
Illustrator Ethan Pope was pretty excited by the setting, noting his love for the imagery of a train trestle. His process involved incorporating various tools to achieve a unified, moody look, which he found “just a fun story to invest in.”
Pope highlights a particularly impactful moment regarding the unexpected heroine of the story: “I love
the mysterious origin of Kamari’s powers, the moment where she psychically communicates with The Goat is one of my favorite panels.” He also touched on overcoming a creative hurdle: “The only hiccups were finding the flow and nuances in the staging of certain scenes… Sitting around the table in the train car was interesting, compositionally having to compromise and adjust the scene, so that the reading order of the word balloons would make sense. Mostly just tinkering, nothing out of the blue.”
“Ethan’s artwork is so expressive, I had to remove dialogue—it’s that good! I knew I found an artist who could capture action and expressive scenes,” says writer Jay B. Kalagayan.
Ethan Pope (Illustrator) is a cartoonist, writer, and illustrator based in Columbus, Ohio. Primarily a traditional artist, Pope’s work emphasizes energy and dynamic compositions. His previous works include Mama Mojo (2021) and Hell’s Harmonica (2022).
Jay B. Kalagayan (Writer, Publisher) is a Filipino American creator and director of Creative Mussel, the indie publisher of MeSseD Comics, The Intrusion, Filipino Assassin: The Untold Story of Vincent Manago Hambright, Grassman: Ohio’s Favorite Cryptid, Dr. Skintag, The Goat: Pope Lick Creek Monster, St. Malo, and other creative projects. Jay’s work has been published with Corpse Flower Press, Sol-Con Anthology through Ohio State University, Columbus Scribbler, Xavier University Newswire, Citybeat, and The World Toilet Organization.
Creative Mussel, now in its ninth year, is an indie publisher dedicated to crafting impactful graphic novels that explore untold stories and champion diverse artists and creators, making unique narratives accessible to a wider audience.
