Hoodrat, the bat/rat-like creature in Matt Furie’s The Night Riders, is one of four mysterious characters in this wordless, dreamlike tale. While the book itself provides no names, Hoodrat’s identity is revealed in the endnotes, which include a dedication to Furie’s pet rats, Wat and Fox, and other cryptically named figures. Given the connection to Furie’s love for rats and the unlikelihood of the frog being called Hoodrat, it’s clear the bat-like creature embodies this fitting name, adding a personal touch to the surreal narrative.

The Night Riders is Matt Furie’s first published book, a wordless, dreamlike narrative that follows four characters—Toki the dragon, Mystery the frog, Wat the rat, and Hoodrat, the bat-rat-like creature. As the story unfolds, the trio of Toki, Mystery, and Wat encounters Hoodrat along their journey, adding his mysterious and nocturnal energy to their adventure through the fantastical landscape. Released as a zine in 2006, The Night Riders blends Furie’s personal life, with subtle references to his pet rats and loved ones, and his signature whimsical style.