Imagine that everyone in “Ghostbusters” had four paws, a waggily tail, a goofy puppy smile, and lots of fur. That’s “Beasts of Burden” for you, but it’s so much more than that. Initially, I was sucked in by a poster advertising it at the Dark Horse Comics booth at San Diego Comic-Con. I’m such a sucker for animals that I knew I was buying it before I had even found it on the shelf. See? All you have to do to get me to buy a comic is put a dog on the cover.
- The animals are as unique as people. If you took quotes from the book and listed them for me, I’d probably be able to tell you exactly who said them, breed AND name. Whether cowardly (it’s ok, Pugsley the fact that you’re adorable makes up for it) or insanely brave (Really Ace? Are you TRYING to die? J), each mutt has his or her own personality. One particular character that I find myself tied to is the one they call “Orphan”. The name alone should be making you go “Awwww!” No? You’re a heartless jerk!! Anyway- Orphan is an orange cat that doesn’t really fit in with the gang at first. Eventually, he proves himself and is accepted. I think the thing that really got me was when he was talking about how everyone in the group has an owner. He says that sometimes it’s hard to be hungry and homeless. In one panel, it’s raining and he’s staring into Jack’s doghouse, ears pulled back, head lowered. Jack invites him in and the two curl up together in Jack’s newly exorcised doghouse. Taking Orphan and putting him in such a state of vulnerability and having one of the dogs rescue him really gets to me. Seriously. I had to pretend that a piece of sand got in my eye to hide the tears. And there’s no sand in the Convention Center…
- There are SO many questions and I like thinking about them. Why does Burden Hill attract so much paranormal activity? Why don’t the people of Burden Hill notice the fact that it’s raining frogs? That there are zombie dogs running around? That there’s a witch cult in town?
- The art is AMAZING. Jill Thompson, you go girl! She does EACH and EVERY panel by HAND, watercoloring it ALL. The dogs, the backgrounds, the colors, it’s all BEAUTIFUL. She had to have sold her soul to the devil, right? Ok…maybe she’s just naturally good. Maybe. Haha. Really…the hard work and dedication she must put in each panel amazes me. Browsing through her pages at Comic-Con made me want to be a watercolorist by profession. She inspired me. As an artist, it’s a wonderful feeling.
- The writing is creative. So Mr. Dorkin, you came up with the Ghostbusters of the animal world? Ok. Good, good. But then to come up with slaying a frog-demon by ripping its tongue out? Or killing zombie dogs by having them chase a cat in front of traffic? GENIOUS.
So, in conclusion, Beasts of Burden Animals Rites- Badass. Jill Thompson- freaking amazing. Evan Dorkin- I want your brain.
Art Creativity Rating: 5 out of 5. She watercolors every page for God Sake! Attention to every detail including backgrounds and very creative camera angles.
Writing Creativity Rating: 4 1/2 out 5. Only Evan Dorkin could think of combining Ghostbusters and Homeward Bound. I would like to know more about each animals history though.
Recommendation Rating: 5 out of 5, If you like the paranormal, anthropomorphic animals, twists, and good jokes.
5 out of 5, for a casual read
3 comments:
This sounds a little like Morrison and Quitely's "WE3." Only probably not as depressing.
No, it's not really like that at all, the only thing I think they have in common is anthropomorphic animals. Beasts of Burden is exactly how it's explained, Ghostbusters with animals. But I do think "WE3" would be a good read for Ashleigh Mayes! :) Review it! Review it!
:D Sure thing, Sirs!
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