Whilst at my local library I saw this graphic novel and the watercolour art and name Jill Thompson attracted me to it. I knew of Thompson through her work on The Sandman: The Little Endless Story Book graphic novel and Death: At Death’s Door graphic novel from decades ago and was intrigued by this so took it out.
This graphic novel is a collection of the original five-part comic series about four dogs and a cat who band together to solve supernatural mysteries in their seemingly quiet town of Burden Hill. It's a bit like a darker, more macabre version of Scooby-Doo, where the ghosts are real and the stakes are life and death. As a Black Labrador owner myself and someone surrounded by dogs on a daily basis (my in-laws have five between them!), I was immediately drawn to how well writer Evan Dorkin captured the personalities of the canine cast. The characters are instantly recognizable and endearing: Rex, the perpetually scared Doberman; Jack, the excitable spaniel; Ace, the loyal and natural leader Husky; Pugsley, the playful pug jokester; Whitey, the childlike beagle and Old Wise, the elder statesman Old English Sheepdog. They're joined by Orphan, the pragmatic and snarky cat, and together they navigate a world of bizarre and often horrific events.
There are numerous stories:
Stray involves the mystery of the haunted kennel where Jack hears a spooky dog yowling at night. The animals all team together to exorcise the ghost but is it malevolent?
The Unfamiliar looks at a modern day coven of witches and their dark ceremony to summon Sekhmet to remake the world.
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie is a play on the zombie lore as the dead dogs are arisen by a witches familiar as an act of vengeance of the events in The Unfamiliar.
A Dog and His Boy finds a runaway sleeping in one of the dog's kennels and the animals take him in. However, when the moon is out a chamge happens and so the animals have to band together to stop the threat and find their friend a release.
The Gathering Storm has frogs falling from the sky and White's apprentice trying to stop the terrifying creature with magic but without success. The motley crew dispatch the big bad and become part of the Wise Dog Society.
Lost is the sad story of a mother dog looking for her lost children. She calls upon the Wise Dog Society who go maverick and create a summoning spell that goes wrong with tragic results. The last image from this issue will haunt me for quite a while.
Something Whiskered This Way Comes is about the search for the witch's familiar who was thought killed a few stories ago. She has been captured by the rats who seek a Rat Kingdom but will Orphan be able to help his fellow cat escape from their evil clutches, and at what cost?
Grave Happenings sees our crew of dogs tackle a warlock who uses emissaries to revive him after death. After being defeated he comes back videogame style in a second phase, more powerful form.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this graphic novel as Thompson's watercolor art is truly beautiful, filled with rich detail and a wonderful, classic feel that gives the stories an almost storybook quality which contrasts well with the often dark subject matter. Dorkin's writing is equally impressive, filled with hilarious animal-based jokes and wordplay that provide much-needed levity. But, beyond the humor, he expertly reveals the unique personalities of each character and builds an intriguing world of paranormal lore.
Beasts of Burden: Animal Rites is a fantastic and unique read that balances heartfelt character moments with genuine horror and suspense. It's a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery and appreciates the unspoken connection we share with our pets.