The Night of the Living Dogs

Chicagoland Detective Agency #3

by Trina Robbins, Tyler Page (Illustrator)

Yes, Chicagoland is an odd place. But the word is out that Megan, Raf, and Raf's talking dog Bradley are the team to go to when weirder things than usual start happening. Their Chicagoland Detective Agency takes danger in hand (and paw) to find a mysteriously missing puppy and an even more mysterious pack of dogs that only shows up once a month.

Bradley's nose knows from the start that this is more than a simple case of stray pets . . . and a whole lot more than a stray case of full-moon transmogrification! Will high tech and haikus be enough to save them from the world's worst case of doggy breath?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fiction, Comics, Mystery

64 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2011

About the author

Trina Robbins is an American comics artist and writer. She was an early and influential participant in the underground comix movement, and one of the few female artists in underground comix when she started. Her first comics were printed in the East Village Other. She later joined the staff of a feminist underground newspaper It Ain't Me, Babe, with whom she produced the first all-woman comic book titled It Ain't Me Babe. She became increasingly involved in creating outlets for and promoting female comics artists, through projects such as the comics anthology Wimmen's Comix. She was also the penciller on Wonder Woman for a time in the '80s.

Trina has worked on an adaptation of Sax Rohmer's Dope for Eclipse Comics and GoGirl with artist Anne Timmons for Image Comics.

Trina designed Vampirella's costume for Forrest Ackerman and Jim Warren.

In addition to her comics work, Robbins is an author of non-fiction books, including several with an emphasis on the history of women in cartooning.

She is the first of the three "Ladies of the Canyon" in Joni Mitchell's classic song from the album of the same name.

Trina Robbins won a Special Achievement Award from the San Diego Comic Con in 1989 for her work on Strip AIDS U.S.A., a benefit book that she co-edited with Bill Sienkiewicz and Robert Triptow.

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the third installment of this series, Raf and Megan, the brother and sister who comprise the Chicagoland Detective Agency plus their devoted genius dog Bradley solve the case of a puppy who only stays briefly in a family's home and then disappears for much of the month. It turns out that the puppy is actually a weredog, a descendant of Lycaon, cursed by Zeus for serving up a human as the main course in a feast. After doing some research, Megan calls out the weredogs, shaming them into turning back into their human forms. The illustrations that show the dogs scavenging through trash cans before turning into naked humans, confused at finding themselves amid the trash, are amusing.

[Drew Constance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick thoughts: Readable, Refreshing and entertaining.


New friends and enemies made Night of the Living Dogs an entertaining and fast paced read. I really like the use of modern technology with the old school detective concept and the continuation of the growing friendships that come out of each case and the things the characters learn from each other and their enemies. Of course I am also a big fan of Megan's poetry and who can resist Bradley the talking Dog. If you haven't already find this series and give it a go - especially if you have kids. Fantastic series for kids.

[Jesse · Rating 2 out of 5]

I accidentally requested this book from my library, so when it arrived I thought I'd give it a whirl. I have to say I wasn't too impressed with the characters or dialogue; it seemed stilted and Megan drove me crazy with her immaturity. The idea, however, was pretty creative. I haven't ever encountered a book about weredogs before. Overall the idea warranted 2/5 stars and I just didn't enjoy enough of the execution to go any higher.

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third in the Chicagoland Detective Agency series. Graphic novel. Fun and clearly written/illustrated. Spooky story but not scary. Satisfactory ending for younger children. The series do not have to be read in order.

[Dolores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book three in the series, and the agency has their first case. This series has all the hallmarks of a caper with plenty of silly humor and antics. Ready for the next one...

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pack of young dogs is terrorizing the navy pier neighborhood. It's Megan, Raf and Bradley to the rescue. The Chicagoland Detective Agency is really starting to grow.

[Susan McGilvray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad storyline - might work for reluctant readers