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Beasts of Burden #1
Beasts of Burden: Animal Rites
Welcome to Burden Hill - A peaceful suburb like any other with white picket fences and vibrant green grass - home to an unlikely team of paranormal investigators.
Black magic, demonic frogs, and zombie roadkill are just a few of the problems plaguing this seemingly sleepy little town. With the human residents unaware of the danger, it's up to a determined crew of dogs (and one cat) to keep their community safe.
Horror, adventure, mystery, and humor thrive on every page of Beasts of Burden, which promises to capture readers' hearts and haunt their dreams.
Award-winning comics creators Evan Dorkin (Milk & Cheese) and Jill Thompson (Scary Godmother) come together to share the lives of some unlucky heroes, first introduced in The Dark Horse Book of Hauntings, for which Dorkin and Thompson won coveted Eisner awards for Best Short Story and Best Painter. Animal Rites collects those earliest tales, along with the four-issue comic series Beasts of Burden.
Black magic, demonic frogs, and zombie roadkill are just a few of the problems plaguing this seemingly sleepy little town. With the human residents unaware of the danger, it's up to a determined crew of dogs (and one cat) to keep their community safe.
Horror, adventure, mystery, and humor thrive on every page of Beasts of Burden, which promises to capture readers' hearts and haunt their dreams.
Award-winning comics creators Evan Dorkin (Milk & Cheese) and Jill Thompson (Scary Godmother) come together to share the lives of some unlucky heroes, first introduced in The Dark Horse Book of Hauntings, for which Dorkin and Thompson won coveted Eisner awards for Best Short Story and Best Painter. Animal Rites collects those earliest tales, along with the four-issue comic series Beasts of Burden.
180 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2010
59 people are currently reading
3732 people want to read
About the author
Evan Dorkin
276 books143 followersEvan Dorkin is an American comics artist and writer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 472 reviews
January 10, 2014
damn. i read this book ages ago, and i kept meaning to review it, but there were just so many more and different things to do, and it all got away from me. and it seems so long ago now, but if i don't review it, it will just be a giant gaping hole in my life. so.
this is a horror graphic novel comprised of several short pieces in which dogs and cats fight such creatures as zombie animals, ghost animals, werewolves, resurrected humans, giant frog creatures, and a pesky witch cat. but it's not silly. it's dark and sad and occasionally really touching. i genuinely liked it, even now all these months later. but i have whiskey to drink, for medicinal purposes, so i am just going to do that thing where i put a bunch of pictures in the review space and NEVER LOOK BACK!
enjoy.
and what about this second volume?? when will that appear for me? this one was four years ago!! surely you are finished drawing new kitties and doggies!
koff. come here, dr. whiskey
April 13, 2020
A graphic novel featuring cute, talking animals may sound like something straight from the bowels of Disney, but be forewarned - this one is more like Animal Farm meets Night of the Living Dead!
These unsung crusaders fight fearlessly (well, okay . . . sometimes they're pretty scared) against the dark forces that threaten both man and animal-kind. Witches, giant frogs, and, um . . . mud monsters (?) don't stand a chance against this elite group of furry heroes.
I'll warn you again - though there are plenty of tender, heartwarming moments, and loads of humor - BAD THINGS happen to animals in this book, even adorable widdle puppies.
Whimper.
These unsung crusaders fight fearlessly (well, okay . . . sometimes they're pretty scared) against the dark forces that threaten both man and animal-kind. Witches, giant frogs, and, um . . . mud monsters (?) don't stand a chance against this elite group of furry heroes.
I'll warn you again - though there are plenty of tender, heartwarming moments, and loads of humor - BAD THINGS happen to animals in this book, even adorable widdle puppies.
Whimper.
November 12, 2011
My wife saw Beasts of Burden and asked why I was reading an Incredible Journey comic. This may be great marketing on the part of Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson because, let me tell you, if you're all bummed out because you think you're reading a book about two talking dogs and a cat who are trying to get home after being unceremoniously abandoned by their owners, then you are going to be more excited than Tom Cruise when he discovered that he was a) not gay and b) married to Katie Holmes. (Presumably excited, at any rate.)
Think about it.
The Incredible Journey has animals that are kind of funny and get into adventurous scrapes all while never deviating from family-friendly formula. That's okay right? If you have kids. I guess? Beasts of Burden, on the other hand, features zombie dogs, coven cats, a rain of frogs, werewolves, earthen golems, and king rats. Imagine you thought you were going to have to trudge through the former (which was fine when you were eight) and instead found yourself knee-deep in the latter? Best day of your life?
Probably.*
It helps that Dorkin and Thompson populate their book with charming characters who are skirting the boundary between bravery and cowardice, having been stuck with the role of paranormal investigators. It helps that Thompson's art is beautiful and that she seems to really have a taste for painting animals. It helps that the book, while displaying a sense of humour, always takes itself seriously. It helps that the creators know how to give their suburban environs an atmosphere of danger. And it helps that I can't wait to read about these dogs' and cats' future investigations into paranormal research and defense.
And that's really what it comes down to, right? In any book that doesn't have a definitive finale (as in: all of the characters die), the real question is, Would I care to revisit these characters and their story? And the resounding answer in Beasts of Burden's case is Oh My Yes! And that's something for a reader who doesn't hold any inordinate affection for dogs (and less still for cats).
*note: Look, I'm trying not to make any judgments about the life you lead and the level of personal dignity you enjoy.
[review courtesy of Good Ok Bad]
December 19, 2018
I love these guys so much I can definitely see me going back to this series again and again and again. If you like your talking animals to fight the undead, all in beautifully rendered watercolours, this is the book for you! Check it out.
September 17, 2018
Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!
I just love how it blends the dark and supernatural with emotionally evocative stories. The writing and the art went together beautifully. My favorite moment might have been in Let Sleeping Dogs Lie , when the story opens as the dogs were saying the final goodbyes to one who passed away. The artwork is stunning, but so are the words:
"As the great dog dug the lakes and mountains to cover those lost in that great battle...
...So we lay you to rest beneath the ground he has given us.
The black dog has taken you into her pack, as she comes for us all.
May she lead you to the better place --
Where the great dog sits, where you will never again know pain or sickness or hardship.
And may he who is above all call you by name to run free in his endless fields.
As someone who has loved and lost dogs, I took great comfort in those words.
Definitely need more with these characters! I loved them all! (Especially Orphan, the cat, and Ace, the husky!)
I just love how it blends the dark and supernatural with emotionally evocative stories. The writing and the art went together beautifully. My favorite moment might have been in Let Sleeping Dogs Lie , when the story opens as the dogs were saying the final goodbyes to one who passed away. The artwork is stunning, but so are the words:
"As the great dog dug the lakes and mountains to cover those lost in that great battle...
...So we lay you to rest beneath the ground he has given us.
The black dog has taken you into her pack, as she comes for us all.
May she lead you to the better place --
Where the great dog sits, where you will never again know pain or sickness or hardship.
And may he who is above all call you by name to run free in his endless fields.
As someone who has loved and lost dogs, I took great comfort in those words.
Definitely need more with these characters! I loved them all! (Especially Orphan, the cat, and Ace, the husky!)
May 8, 2012
I should have loved this. Really. Loved some of of Jill Thompson´s other works, and come on psychic dog detectives gang, it´s precisely my cup of tea. Theoretically.
In practice, no not quite. I got two main hangups with this. One is strictly subjective and personal (it´s not you book, it´s me), I do not *like* stories where bad things happen to good dogs. Even secondary characters good dogs - and the first story, chapter of this, hit a lot of my triggers and in a bad ( felt manipulative to me) way.
The second hangup is (slightly) more objective but a little more difficult to explain - this is so comics-style, so american-style. Well, not if you compare it to DC/Marvel, but if you compare it to the graphic novels I am used to reading it is - and it is just not a style i really get into. For example the last line (and cliffhangerish endings) the new characters and external motivations and small storylines always getting introduced. It´s not necessarily a bad thing, it´s just me not really *getting* it.
(and the art, I dunno, some pannels are very cute, but sometimes the anatomy seems very amorphous).
(but still thanks for the loan, S, I was curious and glad to have read it, even if it was not my cup of tea),
In practice, no not quite. I got two main hangups with this. One is strictly subjective and personal (it´s not you book, it´s me), I do not *like* stories where bad things happen to good dogs. Even secondary characters good dogs - and the first story, chapter of this, hit a lot of my triggers and in a bad ( felt manipulative to me) way.
The second hangup is (slightly) more objective but a little more difficult to explain - this is so comics-style, so american-style. Well, not if you compare it to DC/Marvel, but if you compare it to the graphic novels I am used to reading it is - and it is just not a style i really get into. For example the last line (and cliffhangerish endings) the new characters and external motivations and small storylines always getting introduced. It´s not necessarily a bad thing, it´s just me not really *getting* it.
(and the art, I dunno, some pannels are very cute, but sometimes the anatomy seems very amorphous).
(but still thanks for the loan, S, I was curious and glad to have read it, even if it was not my cup of tea),
August 27, 2023
Fantastic. Five neighborhood dogs and one cat living in the small town of Burden Hill summon a “Wise Dog” to help a friend in trouble: a dog whose doghouse is haunted. After this first encounter with the supernatural, the six friends become a sort of paranormal detective group under loose supervision by the Wise Dogs. They battle witches and investigate disappearances tied to spooky dark magic and evil forces. They make terrible, soul-crushing mistakes, but they also save lives. It’s more emotional than I would have thought possible from a comic book about animals. (CW for entire series: Many deaths of animals.)
Nine years went by before a followup volume, Beasts of Burden: Neighborhood Watch, collected several miniseries and one-shots, and I greatly enjoyed spending more time with our Burden Hill friends!
The third volume, Beasts of Burden: Wise Dogs and Eldritch Men, is a more straightforward adventure story focusing on the Wise Dogs fighting elsewhere, and I didn't find it as compelling due to the somewhat 2d human villains of the story. The first *three* volumes include mentions of how something evil is afoot in the area that includes Burden Hill, and the Wise Dogs are concerned with figuring out what it is. So I was pretty disappointed when the fourth volume, Beasts of Burden: Occupied Territory, came out because it's a backstory about WWII told by one of the Wise Dogs... meaning no time with the Burden Hill gang and no further exploration of the Big Bad.
I hope eventually we get the rest of the story? In the meantime, I recommend the first two volumes, and I know some people enjoy the second two.
Nine years went by before a followup volume, Beasts of Burden: Neighborhood Watch, collected several miniseries and one-shots, and I greatly enjoyed spending more time with our Burden Hill friends!
The third volume, Beasts of Burden: Wise Dogs and Eldritch Men, is a more straightforward adventure story focusing on the Wise Dogs fighting elsewhere, and I didn't find it as compelling due to the somewhat 2d human villains of the story. The first *three* volumes include mentions of how something evil is afoot in the area that includes Burden Hill, and the Wise Dogs are concerned with figuring out what it is. So I was pretty disappointed when the fourth volume, Beasts of Burden: Occupied Territory, came out because it's a backstory about WWII told by one of the Wise Dogs... meaning no time with the Burden Hill gang and no further exploration of the Big Bad.
I hope eventually we get the rest of the story? In the meantime, I recommend the first two volumes, and I know some people enjoy the second two.
September 18, 2021
Tämä oli loistava! Puhuvia koiria ja kissoja selvittämässä yliluonnollisia tilanteita. Kuin karvaisempi ja nelitassuinen versio Supernaturalista. Löytyy noitia, zombeja ja ihmissusia, mutta kaikkea muutakin ihastuttavan kamalaa. Tassusankareiden on pidettävä lähiö turvassa.
Tämänkin olisin voinut jättää luettavaksi Halloween-lukuhaasteeseen. Onneksi sarjaa on enemmänkin.
Tämänkin olisin voinut jättää luettavaksi Halloween-lukuhaasteeseen. Onneksi sarjaa on enemmänkin.
July 23, 2017
This is about a group of dogs that protect a neighborhood from supernatural critters. It's like Merlin as a dog, really.
It's friggin good. Honesty, if you have pets - dogs or cats, because cats help - you should read this. It has everything that you want in a good book, just using animals to tell the story. It is not for children, for at times it is quite dark. But it is wonderful.
It's friggin good. Honesty, if you have pets - dogs or cats, because cats help - you should read this. It has everything that you want in a good book, just using animals to tell the story. It is not for children, for at times it is quite dark. But it is wonderful.
July 9, 2022
(Zero spoiler review) 4.25/5
Damn, this is exactly what I needed, burnt out as I am on capes, cod pieces and the like. Quite how some big, evil, shadowy corporation hasn't optioned this and made a television series out of it, I'll never know. Can someone loan me a cheeky few hundred thou, and I'll make give the world one of the most beloved, most talked about television shows in decades. But until that little scenario eventuates, at least we have these comics to keep us going.
I kinda knew these ones were going to be special, hence why I'd been holding them back for so long. But I'd read a few disappointing books recently, so needed a guaranteed winner to restore some faith in the medium. Beasts of Burden most definitely ticked the box, a few minor gripes aside.
The main highlight here, despite the awesome subject matter (wish I'd had the idea first), is Jill Thompson's artwork. In a world increasingly devoid of innovative and original artwork in the comics genre, it's wonderful to have beauty such as this spread across the page. Dorkin's solid, though not always spectacular writing wouldn't hold the same appeal without such exquisite water colours as these. computer animation, although competent at times, cannot hold a candle to the styles of old. This makes me happy indeed, if a little sad and nostalgic at the same time.
So, if Thompson is crushing it in the art department, then why aren't we looking at full marks here. Well, as mentioned, Dorkin's writing occasionally leaves a little to be desired. His dialogue can be a but flat here and there, and the humour doesn't always land, but credit where credit's due. The eight or so stories here are all very inventive and original, even if the last one wasn't executed as effectively as most of the rest. Then again, this was compiled over a number of years, so one would expect a half decent writer to be able to compile a handful of unique ideas in that time. Props for impressing me with some really inventive ways to fairly realistically and organically bringing the horror genre into the animal world. And those last few pages of The lost story... hoo boy. Makes up for reading a bunch of shitty comics with that final page alone, though get ready for some serious feels. Really hoping this one continues to improve as it goes on. Now, can I restrain myself, or do I need to burn through this series all at once? 4.25/5
OmniBen.
Damn, this is exactly what I needed, burnt out as I am on capes, cod pieces and the like. Quite how some big, evil, shadowy corporation hasn't optioned this and made a television series out of it, I'll never know. Can someone loan me a cheeky few hundred thou, and I'll make give the world one of the most beloved, most talked about television shows in decades. But until that little scenario eventuates, at least we have these comics to keep us going.
I kinda knew these ones were going to be special, hence why I'd been holding them back for so long. But I'd read a few disappointing books recently, so needed a guaranteed winner to restore some faith in the medium. Beasts of Burden most definitely ticked the box, a few minor gripes aside.
The main highlight here, despite the awesome subject matter (wish I'd had the idea first), is Jill Thompson's artwork. In a world increasingly devoid of innovative and original artwork in the comics genre, it's wonderful to have beauty such as this spread across the page. Dorkin's solid, though not always spectacular writing wouldn't hold the same appeal without such exquisite water colours as these. computer animation, although competent at times, cannot hold a candle to the styles of old. This makes me happy indeed, if a little sad and nostalgic at the same time.
So, if Thompson is crushing it in the art department, then why aren't we looking at full marks here. Well, as mentioned, Dorkin's writing occasionally leaves a little to be desired. His dialogue can be a but flat here and there, and the humour doesn't always land, but credit where credit's due. The eight or so stories here are all very inventive and original, even if the last one wasn't executed as effectively as most of the rest. Then again, this was compiled over a number of years, so one would expect a half decent writer to be able to compile a handful of unique ideas in that time. Props for impressing me with some really inventive ways to fairly realistically and organically bringing the horror genre into the animal world. And those last few pages of The lost story... hoo boy. Makes up for reading a bunch of shitty comics with that final page alone, though get ready for some serious feels. Really hoping this one continues to improve as it goes on. Now, can I restrain myself, or do I need to burn through this series all at once? 4.25/5
OmniBen.
November 14, 2019
Z pocatku na me Beasts of Burden pusobili tak, jak puvodne vznikly - jako zabavna, spis strasidelna nez hororova, povidka se zvirecimi hrdiny v hlavni roli. V dalsich pribezich uz ale Dorkin buduje funkcni mikrosvet a jednotlivym postavam tvori jasnej charakter, kterej vcelku pekne sedi k dany rase.
Mame tu neohrozenyho huskyho Ace, pesimistickyho a vecne nadavajiciho mopse Pugslyho, dobermana Rexe, kterej neni uplne ta nejostrejsi tuzka v penale, nebo toulavyho kocoura Orphana, kterej trousi jizlivy poznamky na adresu psich partaku. S kazdou dalsi povidkou mi tahle smecka prirustala k srdci cim dal tim vic a po docteni prvni knihy se vylozene tesim na dalsi dve.
Je fajn, ze Dorkin dokazal stvorit svet, kde vedle sebe muzou fungovat lidi i tahle zvireci parta, takze to pusobi v ramci moznosti realisticky. Psi jsou porad psi, maji svoje majitele, ktery museji brat v potaz, stejne tak jako okolni svet. Jen ve svym volnym casem bojujou proti nadprirozenejm vecem...
Kresba Jill Thomson je pak absolutni parada po vsech strankach, ktera ve vetsim formatu vynikne o to vic.
Mame tu neohrozenyho huskyho Ace, pesimistickyho a vecne nadavajiciho mopse Pugslyho, dobermana Rexe, kterej neni uplne ta nejostrejsi tuzka v penale, nebo toulavyho kocoura Orphana, kterej trousi jizlivy poznamky na adresu psich partaku. S kazdou dalsi povidkou mi tahle smecka prirustala k srdci cim dal tim vic a po docteni prvni knihy se vylozene tesim na dalsi dve.
Je fajn, ze Dorkin dokazal stvorit svet, kde vedle sebe muzou fungovat lidi i tahle zvireci parta, takze to pusobi v ramci moznosti realisticky. Psi jsou porad psi, maji svoje majitele, ktery museji brat v potaz, stejne tak jako okolni svet. Jen ve svym volnym casem bojujou proti nadprirozenejm vecem...
Kresba Jill Thomson je pak absolutni parada po vsech strankach, ktera ve vetsim formatu vynikne o to vic.
October 29, 2019
Roztomilá zvířátka versus síly temnot.
Dobře, možná ne úplně nejroztomilejší. Ale ty síly temnot bychom tu měli, takže aspoň něco. Těžko se mi věří tomu, že tohle napsal stejný člověk od kterého jsem kdysi v Crwi hltal Mlíko a sejra.
Beasts jsou parádní dobrodružné příběhy, kde lidské hrdiny nahradili ti zvířecí. A není to ten obvyklý druh příběhů na které jste možná zvyklí, když jde o psy, kočky a jiná zvířata. Tihle hrdinové totiž musí bojovat proti okultistům, oživlým mrtvolám a postupně snad zjistit, proč se zrovna v jejich městě začalo všechno tohle objevovat mnohem, mnohem víc.
Skvělé příběhy doplňuje ještě lepší kresba. Vodovky Jill Thompson tomuhle moc sluší a příjemně dokreslují atmosféru.
Už teď je mi jasné, že budu muset koupit další díly a dočíst všechno, co vyšlo, protože tahle zvířena si nový domov u mě v polici rozhodně zaslouží.
Mohlo by se vám líbit, pokud:
- byste rádi zjistili, co váš pes dělá, když zrovna nejste doma
- chcete alternativu ke všem těm příběhům, kde se silami zla bojují děti
Spíš vás zklame, pokud:
- nemáte doma žádného mazlíčka anebo nemáte srdce
- jste okultista a nechcete si připomínat svou poslední prohru proti mluvícím zvířatům
Dobře, možná ne úplně nejroztomilejší. Ale ty síly temnot bychom tu měli, takže aspoň něco. Těžko se mi věří tomu, že tohle napsal stejný člověk od kterého jsem kdysi v Crwi hltal Mlíko a sejra.
Beasts jsou parádní dobrodružné příběhy, kde lidské hrdiny nahradili ti zvířecí. A není to ten obvyklý druh příběhů na které jste možná zvyklí, když jde o psy, kočky a jiná zvířata. Tihle hrdinové totiž musí bojovat proti okultistům, oživlým mrtvolám a postupně snad zjistit, proč se zrovna v jejich městě začalo všechno tohle objevovat mnohem, mnohem víc.
Skvělé příběhy doplňuje ještě lepší kresba. Vodovky Jill Thompson tomuhle moc sluší a příjemně dokreslují atmosféru.
Už teď je mi jasné, že budu muset koupit další díly a dočíst všechno, co vyšlo, protože tahle zvířena si nový domov u mě v polici rozhodně zaslouží.
Mohlo by se vám líbit, pokud:
- byste rádi zjistili, co váš pes dělá, když zrovna nejste doma
- chcete alternativu ke všem těm příběhům, kde se silami zla bojují děti
Spíš vás zklame, pokud:
- nemáte doma žádného mazlíčka anebo nemáte srdce
- jste okultista a nechcete si připomínat svou poslední prohru proti mluvícím zvířatům
March 26, 2018
Quem pega este quadrinho e acha ele fofinho e engraçadinho, vai ter uma surpresa bem rápido. Sim, os traços são lindos, e a aventura parece saído de um desenho do Manda-Chuva, mas a história vai tomando um tom sombrio bem rápido. Através de uma narrativa competente e um traço estonteante, esse quadrinho mostra como você não deve julgar qualquer coisa à primeira vista.
É preciso falar antes do acabamento do quadrinho. O trabalho do Pipoca & Nanquim aqui é primoroso. A capa tem uma aparência que lembra um livro de fábulas o que dá um charme especial. A borda tem uma textura semelhante ao couro. A imagem central é envernizada, mostrando um pouco do que a Jill Thompson é capaz de fazer. O papel é de uma gramatura alta, o que ressalta os quadros aquarelados da artista. Ao final temos alguns extras com scripts e comentários do Evan e da Jill. É uma edição digna de um colecionador.
É incrível como o roteiro do Evan é legal. Parece uma história ingênua com animais que falam, mas nas pequenas sutilezas a gente vai percebendo progressivamente como a narrativa é bem mais complexa. A narrativa é composta de várias pequenas histórias que formam um pano de fundo e servem para fazer a construção de mundo proposta pelo autor. Burden Hill vai ganhando forma à medida em que as histórias vai tomando um ar de gravidade. Elementos das histórias vão ajudando a compor um fundo mais geral. O autor deixa um excelente cliffhanger no final levando para o próximo volume. A gente fica apreensivo querendo saber o que vai acontecer a seguir. Fica a menção da boa tradução feita pela Marília Toledo que faz a história ganhar muita velocidade. Não pareceu truncada em nenhum momento.
A arte da Jill Thompson é deslumbrante. Ela dá muita personalidade e individualidade aos animais. Cada um é diferente do outro seja em aparência ou até na forma como se movimenta pelos cenários. Além disso, eu fiquei espantado em como os animais conseguem ser expressivos. Os olhos doces do Órfão, o olhar altivo do Campeão, a língua para fora em sinal de animal brincalhão do Jack. Jill Thompson levou a antropomorfização dos animais em Beasts of Burden a um outro nível. Os cenários também são muito bonitos com uma palheta de cores bem puxada para o verde e para o branco. Dá aquele tom de terra e de gramado para o cenário. Contudo, em alguns momentos que requerem outra atmosfera, a artista consegue entregar cores diferenciadas: o azul e preto de uma noite de lua cheia ou o marrom e cinza dos esgotos. Mais uma menção ao trabalho editorial fica por conta do letramento. Parece bobagem, mas em alguns momentos temos balões ou quadros bem diferenciados como a invocação de magia de Miranda, o poema canino ou os canções entoadas pelos ratos. Trabalho estupendo da equipe do Pipoca nesse sentido também.
"Grandes ou pequenos...
Gordos ou magros...
Esse é o destino a que estamos fadados...
Fechamos nossos olhos e dormimos...
E um ninho de moscas deixamos quando partimos."
Cada um dos personagens possui características bem únicas. E o mais legal é que o autor consegue explorar bem cada um deles na história. Campeão é o que aparece mais vezes então podemos dizer que ele é uma espécie de protagonista da galerinha. Sempre disposto a proteger os seus amigos, ele se mete em situações bem complicadas. A história dele com o menino é de apertar o coração. Rex é o cão covarde. Um doberman covarde. Mas, vamos percebendo com o passar da história que ele gosta muito dos seus amigos e pode surpreender em uma situação perigosa. Pugs é um pug cético. Sempre é o cara que quer provas antes de tomar alguma decisão precipitada.
A riqueza dos personagens é incrível. Citei só alguns... ainda ficou faltando falar do Jack, do gato Órfão, do Cão Sábio. As relações entre eles são largamente exploradas e a maneira como eles se ajudam e se apoiam é um dos pontos altos da narrativa. Apesar de serem histórias curtas, existe uma narrativa maior no pano de fundo e o leitor é capaz de perceber uma progressão rumo a um clímax. Ou seja, não esperem que sejam histórias soltas porque elementos aqui e ali dos contos vão sendo mencionados mais à frente.
O mundo criado por Evan Dorkin é rico em detalhes. O que no começo parece ser algo simples e centrado em uma vizinhança vai ganhando proporções cada vez maiores. Outros pontos vão sendo incluídos como o subterrâneo, a casa onde vive o Campeão, o bosque, o cemitério. O elemento sobrenatural está presente o tempo inteiro. O legal é que tudo faz muito sentido dentro desse universo. As regras são colocadas bem explicitamente pelo autor. Claro que existe muita margem para extrapolar em algumas situações, mas tudo é muito verossímil. Temos bastante estranheza, como a chuva de sapos, os golens no cemitério, mas é legal ver como o autor consegue explorar coisas muito interessantes dentro do "confinamento" daquele espaço onde os cachorros vivem.
Beasts of Burden é uma HQ linda, com uma narrativa bem mais complexa do que parece em um primeiro momento. Os traços da Jill Thompson são de encher os olhos e ela consegue dar vida aos personagens. O trabalho editorial do Pipoca & Nanquim também é muito competente seja na tradução, na capa ou no acabamento. Uma edição para qualquer fã de quadrinhos.
É preciso falar antes do acabamento do quadrinho. O trabalho do Pipoca & Nanquim aqui é primoroso. A capa tem uma aparência que lembra um livro de fábulas o que dá um charme especial. A borda tem uma textura semelhante ao couro. A imagem central é envernizada, mostrando um pouco do que a Jill Thompson é capaz de fazer. O papel é de uma gramatura alta, o que ressalta os quadros aquarelados da artista. Ao final temos alguns extras com scripts e comentários do Evan e da Jill. É uma edição digna de um colecionador.
É incrível como o roteiro do Evan é legal. Parece uma história ingênua com animais que falam, mas nas pequenas sutilezas a gente vai percebendo progressivamente como a narrativa é bem mais complexa. A narrativa é composta de várias pequenas histórias que formam um pano de fundo e servem para fazer a construção de mundo proposta pelo autor. Burden Hill vai ganhando forma à medida em que as histórias vai tomando um ar de gravidade. Elementos das histórias vão ajudando a compor um fundo mais geral. O autor deixa um excelente cliffhanger no final levando para o próximo volume. A gente fica apreensivo querendo saber o que vai acontecer a seguir. Fica a menção da boa tradução feita pela Marília Toledo que faz a história ganhar muita velocidade. Não pareceu truncada em nenhum momento.
A arte da Jill Thompson é deslumbrante. Ela dá muita personalidade e individualidade aos animais. Cada um é diferente do outro seja em aparência ou até na forma como se movimenta pelos cenários. Além disso, eu fiquei espantado em como os animais conseguem ser expressivos. Os olhos doces do Órfão, o olhar altivo do Campeão, a língua para fora em sinal de animal brincalhão do Jack. Jill Thompson levou a antropomorfização dos animais em Beasts of Burden a um outro nível. Os cenários também são muito bonitos com uma palheta de cores bem puxada para o verde e para o branco. Dá aquele tom de terra e de gramado para o cenário. Contudo, em alguns momentos que requerem outra atmosfera, a artista consegue entregar cores diferenciadas: o azul e preto de uma noite de lua cheia ou o marrom e cinza dos esgotos. Mais uma menção ao trabalho editorial fica por conta do letramento. Parece bobagem, mas em alguns momentos temos balões ou quadros bem diferenciados como a invocação de magia de Miranda, o poema canino ou os canções entoadas pelos ratos. Trabalho estupendo da equipe do Pipoca nesse sentido também.
"Grandes ou pequenos...
Gordos ou magros...
Esse é o destino a que estamos fadados...
Fechamos nossos olhos e dormimos...
E um ninho de moscas deixamos quando partimos."
Cada um dos personagens possui características bem únicas. E o mais legal é que o autor consegue explorar bem cada um deles na história. Campeão é o que aparece mais vezes então podemos dizer que ele é uma espécie de protagonista da galerinha. Sempre disposto a proteger os seus amigos, ele se mete em situações bem complicadas. A história dele com o menino é de apertar o coração. Rex é o cão covarde. Um doberman covarde. Mas, vamos percebendo com o passar da história que ele gosta muito dos seus amigos e pode surpreender em uma situação perigosa. Pugs é um pug cético. Sempre é o cara que quer provas antes de tomar alguma decisão precipitada.
A riqueza dos personagens é incrível. Citei só alguns... ainda ficou faltando falar do Jack, do gato Órfão, do Cão Sábio. As relações entre eles são largamente exploradas e a maneira como eles se ajudam e se apoiam é um dos pontos altos da narrativa. Apesar de serem histórias curtas, existe uma narrativa maior no pano de fundo e o leitor é capaz de perceber uma progressão rumo a um clímax. Ou seja, não esperem que sejam histórias soltas porque elementos aqui e ali dos contos vão sendo mencionados mais à frente.
O mundo criado por Evan Dorkin é rico em detalhes. O que no começo parece ser algo simples e centrado em uma vizinhança vai ganhando proporções cada vez maiores. Outros pontos vão sendo incluídos como o subterrâneo, a casa onde vive o Campeão, o bosque, o cemitério. O elemento sobrenatural está presente o tempo inteiro. O legal é que tudo faz muito sentido dentro desse universo. As regras são colocadas bem explicitamente pelo autor. Claro que existe muita margem para extrapolar em algumas situações, mas tudo é muito verossímil. Temos bastante estranheza, como a chuva de sapos, os golens no cemitério, mas é legal ver como o autor consegue explorar coisas muito interessantes dentro do "confinamento" daquele espaço onde os cachorros vivem.
Beasts of Burden é uma HQ linda, com uma narrativa bem mais complexa do que parece em um primeiro momento. Os traços da Jill Thompson são de encher os olhos e ela consegue dar vida aos personagens. O trabalho editorial do Pipoca & Nanquim também é muito competente seja na tradução, na capa ou no acabamento. Uma edição para qualquer fã de quadrinhos.
June 8, 2022
4.5 / 5
Haunted house stories are good, but have you ever tried a haunted doghouse story? No? Then I have just the thing for you.
Beasts of Burden is a comic book series by Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson, published by Dark Horse Comics. The story revolves around a team of pets who investigate paranormal happenings in their small neighborhood of Burden Hill. The group initially consists of five dogs and a cat. They often consult with the "Wise Dogs," the shamanic elders of their community.
Burden Hill may look idyllic, but it's teeming with supernatural threats large and small. The problems the team solves range from silly to deadly, including cannibal frogs, animal zombies, witches and their familiars, and black magic. Sometimes they also have to deal with overzealous local dogs that try to solve their more mundane problems.
Sometimes, however, they're in mortal danger. The story offers sudden tonal shifts - from funny to sad, from predictable to shocking. For example, when dog zombies invade the neighborhood. Shudder.
The team is fantastic and diverse. Their banter may not always be tasteful, but it's just plain fun.
The main team includes Ace, a Husky; Jack, a Beagle, with sensitivity to paranormal phenomena; Pugsley, a snarky and cynical Pug, who often gets told to shut up by the others; Rex, an initially fearful Doberman; The Orphan, a tabby cat who's taken into apprenticeship by wise dogs.
The story is episodic, although the chapters build on each other and are interconnected. I loved the writing style and the art. The watercolors give Beasts of Burden a storybook feel and portray the animals beautifully. The art helps add to the natural charm of the animals involved in paranormal investigations.
A word of caution, here. Although the stories contain many light-hearted moments, Beasts of Burden is a horror graphic novel. Gore and guts appear on the page. Characters you care for suffer. In other words, the story has a sense of humor, but the serious moments are brutal and the authors excel at giving the suburbs an atmosphere of danger and uncertainty.
I was completely immersed in the story and can't wait to read the sequels.
Haunted house stories are good, but have you ever tried a haunted doghouse story? No? Then I have just the thing for you.
Beasts of Burden is a comic book series by Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson, published by Dark Horse Comics. The story revolves around a team of pets who investigate paranormal happenings in their small neighborhood of Burden Hill. The group initially consists of five dogs and a cat. They often consult with the "Wise Dogs," the shamanic elders of their community.
Burden Hill may look idyllic, but it's teeming with supernatural threats large and small. The problems the team solves range from silly to deadly, including cannibal frogs, animal zombies, witches and their familiars, and black magic. Sometimes they also have to deal with overzealous local dogs that try to solve their more mundane problems.
Sometimes, however, they're in mortal danger. The story offers sudden tonal shifts - from funny to sad, from predictable to shocking. For example, when dog zombies invade the neighborhood. Shudder.
The team is fantastic and diverse. Their banter may not always be tasteful, but it's just plain fun.
The main team includes Ace, a Husky; Jack, a Beagle, with sensitivity to paranormal phenomena; Pugsley, a snarky and cynical Pug, who often gets told to shut up by the others; Rex, an initially fearful Doberman; The Orphan, a tabby cat who's taken into apprenticeship by wise dogs.
The story is episodic, although the chapters build on each other and are interconnected. I loved the writing style and the art. The watercolors give Beasts of Burden a storybook feel and portray the animals beautifully. The art helps add to the natural charm of the animals involved in paranormal investigations.
A word of caution, here. Although the stories contain many light-hearted moments, Beasts of Burden is a horror graphic novel. Gore and guts appear on the page. Characters you care for suffer. In other words, the story has a sense of humor, but the serious moments are brutal and the authors excel at giving the suburbs an atmosphere of danger and uncertainty.
I was completely immersed in the story and can't wait to read the sequels.
January 30, 2012
This book was recommended to me by a friend and I'd like to start by thanking him. Beasts of Burden was totally worth it and I'd keep on reading if only there was more of it in my shelves.
Now to speak of the book itself, I'll start by saying this isn't your everyday children's fable, far from it, and for me that's the first good thing about it. And to think it all started as a short story for The Dark Horse Book of Hauntings... To give you a short and as unspoiling as possible description of Beasts of Burden, it's about a group of dogs and one cat that live on Burden Hill, talk to each other like regular friends and before long are running from and fighting the likes of witches, zombies and other typical horror stories' creatures. And yes, there are wise magical dogs and the witches have black cat familiars. While you follow them on these adventures, the author takes you on a tour about friendship, heroism and self-preservation, racism, responsibility and dealing with consequences and suffering. Of course, these themes are only slightly explored in so little time, but you can feel the potential of this set-up. Then there are details that make the reading experience so much better: the personalities matching the species, races and even names of the characters, the chapters' names reminding you of famous fantasy or horror books - "Something whiskered this way comes" - the way they all talk about humans, the fact that they have their own religion and much more. If Evan Dorkin did his job well, what can I say of Jill Thompson? The illustration makes the story work, but more than that, sometimes you just feel like checking the artwork for itself, some pages are literally out of this world. Even the lettering here was perfectly adapted to the context and the drawing.
All in all an awesome book, recommended for all who don't mind talking cats and dogs of fun and games. Just don't let young children read it before bedtime or you might be in for a rough night. Give it to them the next day and be sure to check it out yourself beforehand, you won't regret it!
Now to speak of the book itself, I'll start by saying this isn't your everyday children's fable, far from it, and for me that's the first good thing about it. And to think it all started as a short story for The Dark Horse Book of Hauntings... To give you a short and as unspoiling as possible description of Beasts of Burden, it's about a group of dogs and one cat that live on Burden Hill, talk to each other like regular friends and before long are running from and fighting the likes of witches, zombies and other typical horror stories' creatures. And yes, there are wise magical dogs and the witches have black cat familiars. While you follow them on these adventures, the author takes you on a tour about friendship, heroism and self-preservation, racism, responsibility and dealing with consequences and suffering. Of course, these themes are only slightly explored in so little time, but you can feel the potential of this set-up. Then there are details that make the reading experience so much better: the personalities matching the species, races and even names of the characters, the chapters' names reminding you of famous fantasy or horror books - "Something whiskered this way comes" - the way they all talk about humans, the fact that they have their own religion and much more. If Evan Dorkin did his job well, what can I say of Jill Thompson? The illustration makes the story work, but more than that, sometimes you just feel like checking the artwork for itself, some pages are literally out of this world. Even the lettering here was perfectly adapted to the context and the drawing.
All in all an awesome book, recommended for all who don't mind talking cats and dogs of fun and games. Just don't let young children read it before bedtime or you might be in for a rough night. Give it to them the next day and be sure to check it out yourself beforehand, you won't regret it!
January 11, 2018
I started reading Beasts of Burden: Animal Rites on a late cold night in a quiet house knowing it was on my /r/fantasy bingo card, but not remembering which square. There's a non-human protagonist square and this is a story about talking dogs - it was probably that one!
Imagine my surprise fifteen minutes into the book when OH NO IT'S HORROR.
The horror in Beasts of Burden is slow to develop. For the first few issues it's not present at all - those stories are purely for character and world-building. But the creepy builds and builds, and by about the halfway point, Beasts of Burden is definitely a spooky book. There is one panel in particular that I can't seem to shake because of how much it moved me with its haunting and evocative creepiness. (It's the one of the mother. Trust me, if you read this book you will know what I'm talking about, and I'm willing to bet it will stick in your head too).
I am not a horror fan, especially on a late cold quiet night when it comes up on me in surprise. But the horror in Beasts of Burden is tempered with light-hearted characters and delicate artwork. For me, this book ended up being more moving and moody than scary, which was a great relief.
Other than the creepiness, I absolutely adored Beasts of Burden. The artwork blew me away. The lines are wonderful (particularly the expressions), but the colors steal the show. Thompson's spectacular watercolors (she won an Eisner for Wonder Woman: The True Amazon) are again on display, and add yet another level of moody depth. The characters are all fun and feel quite special, and the world builds slowly but surely into quite an interesting fantasy setting.
Even if you're not a fan of horror, I'd highly recommend Beasts of Burden for the story, the characters, and (most of all) the stupendous artwork.
Imagine my surprise fifteen minutes into the book when OH NO IT'S HORROR.
The horror in Beasts of Burden is slow to develop. For the first few issues it's not present at all - those stories are purely for character and world-building. But the creepy builds and builds, and by about the halfway point, Beasts of Burden is definitely a spooky book. There is one panel in particular that I can't seem to shake because of how much it moved me with its haunting and evocative creepiness. (It's the one of the mother. Trust me, if you read this book you will know what I'm talking about, and I'm willing to bet it will stick in your head too).
I am not a horror fan, especially on a late cold quiet night when it comes up on me in surprise. But the horror in Beasts of Burden is tempered with light-hearted characters and delicate artwork. For me, this book ended up being more moving and moody than scary, which was a great relief.
Other than the creepiness, I absolutely adored Beasts of Burden. The artwork blew me away. The lines are wonderful (particularly the expressions), but the colors steal the show. Thompson's spectacular watercolors (she won an Eisner for Wonder Woman: The True Amazon) are again on display, and add yet another level of moody depth. The characters are all fun and feel quite special, and the world builds slowly but surely into quite an interesting fantasy setting.
Even if you're not a fan of horror, I'd highly recommend Beasts of Burden for the story, the characters, and (most of all) the stupendous artwork.
September 21, 2016
Lukaisin muutamia vuosia sitten erääseen pirkanmaalaiseen kirjastoon hankitun sarjakuva-antologian The Dark Horse Book of Hauntings (Dark Horse, 2003). Se ei juuri huikaissut tasollaan, mutta sisälsi kuitenkin Evan Dorkinin ja Jill Thompsonin omaperäisen kauhutarinan kummittelevasta koirankopista.
Omaperäinen tarina jäi mieleen, ja niinpä riemastuin kun törmäsin sarjakuvafestivaaleilla samojen tekijöiden 180-sivuiseen albumiin "Beasts of Burden : Animal Rites" (Dark Horse, 2010), joka kokoaa yhteen samannimisen lehden numerot 1-4 sekä edellämainitun novellin ohella muutaman muunkin antologioita varten tehdyn lyhärin.
Sarjakuva kertoo pienen ja näennäisen rauhallisen Burden Hillin lähiön lemmikkieläimistä, jotka muodostavat yliluonnollisia tapahtumia tutkivan Watchdogs-ryhmän (olkoonkin, että mukaan mahtuu myös yksi kissa tai pari). Eläinten toimista on harmiton scoobydoo-touhuilu kaukana, sillä matkan varrella heidän tielleen osuu muun muassa muinaista Sekhmet-jumalatarta palvovia noitia, zombeiksi muuttuvia tienvarsiraatoja, ihmissusia ja monia traagisia eläin- ja ihmiskohtaloita.
Evan Dorkinin käsikirjoittamat lyhyet tarinat ovat aidosti hyytäviä ja vähän surumielisiäkin, mutta paikoitellen on mahdotonta olla nauramatta ilmeikkään eläinjoukon otteille. Jill Thompsonin vesiväritaide täydentää paketin hienosti. Sarjakuva ei tästä paljoa parane. Jään janoamaan jatkoa.
Omaperäinen tarina jäi mieleen, ja niinpä riemastuin kun törmäsin sarjakuvafestivaaleilla samojen tekijöiden 180-sivuiseen albumiin "Beasts of Burden : Animal Rites" (Dark Horse, 2010), joka kokoaa yhteen samannimisen lehden numerot 1-4 sekä edellämainitun novellin ohella muutaman muunkin antologioita varten tehdyn lyhärin.
Sarjakuva kertoo pienen ja näennäisen rauhallisen Burden Hillin lähiön lemmikkieläimistä, jotka muodostavat yliluonnollisia tapahtumia tutkivan Watchdogs-ryhmän (olkoonkin, että mukaan mahtuu myös yksi kissa tai pari). Eläinten toimista on harmiton scoobydoo-touhuilu kaukana, sillä matkan varrella heidän tielleen osuu muun muassa muinaista Sekhmet-jumalatarta palvovia noitia, zombeiksi muuttuvia tienvarsiraatoja, ihmissusia ja monia traagisia eläin- ja ihmiskohtaloita.
Evan Dorkinin käsikirjoittamat lyhyet tarinat ovat aidosti hyytäviä ja vähän surumielisiäkin, mutta paikoitellen on mahdotonta olla nauramatta ilmeikkään eläinjoukon otteille. Jill Thompsonin vesiväritaide täydentää paketin hienosti. Sarjakuva ei tästä paljoa parane. Jään janoamaan jatkoa.
July 29, 2023
A team of canine paranormal detectives and shamans, Beast of Burden is an enjoyable collection of short stories. Some will send shivers down your spine, some will raise the hair on the back of your neck, and some of them are genuinely heart felt.
Not only is a team of dog detectives a really cute idea, but it does work well in immediately pulling your heartstring if you are an animal lover. Any little hint of danger or threat to these cast of characters was immediately hair pulling for me. Whereas if it had been humans, I'm not sure if I would have taken to the cast so quickly.
The paranormal problems and mysteries are all dog themed as well (or at least that's the best way I can put it). The first story, Stray, is about a haunted dog house, where the band of muttly friends summons a Wise Dog by forming a howling circle in order to exorcise the restless spirit. Many more themes, including a batch of missing puppy ghosts, all touch on the canine experience. You definitely feel like you are living in the lives among this cast of furry friends, and are seeing Burden Hill through their eyes. Much like the adults in Peanuts, the humans of Burden Hill are scarce if hardly not seen at all. This isn't done super well at times, as I'm constantly trying to wrap my brain around how these dog are left alone for so long that their owners don't seem to be making the biggest of fuss about them. Especially when they show back cut up and bruised from their adventures. There are mentions here and there, of making sure to return to their homes at certain times, and during one chapter there is a character that does have consequences from his humans due to his actions, at times it was hard to believe that these dogs got away with as much as they did. Maybe its something easy to overlook but it was definitely something that caught in my mind often while reading.
The art style and the watercolors are the true beauty of this story, and the main reason I gave this a four star rating. Artist Jill Thompson has an amazing skill with blending her colors, and some of these panels are just so pleasing to stare at. Honestly, just the artwork alone was enough to make me pick this up. And it was definitely worth it on that alone as well.
Overall, there are still many more mysteries to this book, including much of how this world works and more about these characters that have not been revealed yet, so I'm looking forward to reading much more. Definitely a good first pick.
Not only is a team of dog detectives a really cute idea, but it does work well in immediately pulling your heartstring if you are an animal lover. Any little hint of danger or threat to these cast of characters was immediately hair pulling for me. Whereas if it had been humans, I'm not sure if I would have taken to the cast so quickly.
The paranormal problems and mysteries are all dog themed as well (or at least that's the best way I can put it). The first story, Stray, is about a haunted dog house, where the band of muttly friends summons a Wise Dog by forming a howling circle in order to exorcise the restless spirit. Many more themes, including a batch of missing puppy ghosts, all touch on the canine experience. You definitely feel like you are living in the lives among this cast of furry friends, and are seeing Burden Hill through their eyes. Much like the adults in Peanuts, the humans of Burden Hill are scarce if hardly not seen at all. This isn't done super well at times, as I'm constantly trying to wrap my brain around how these dog are left alone for so long that their owners don't seem to be making the biggest of fuss about them. Especially when they show back cut up and bruised from their adventures. There are mentions here and there, of making sure to return to their homes at certain times, and during one chapter there is a character that does have consequences from his humans due to his actions, at times it was hard to believe that these dogs got away with as much as they did. Maybe its something easy to overlook but it was definitely something that caught in my mind often while reading.
The art style and the watercolors are the true beauty of this story, and the main reason I gave this a four star rating. Artist Jill Thompson has an amazing skill with blending her colors, and some of these panels are just so pleasing to stare at. Honestly, just the artwork alone was enough to make me pick this up. And it was definitely worth it on that alone as well.
Overall, there are still many more mysteries to this book, including much of how this world works and more about these characters that have not been revealed yet, so I'm looking forward to reading much more. Definitely a good first pick.
October 18, 2021
Star Rating: —> 4.5 Stars
Holy zombies, Batman! This was absolutely EXCELLENT ! Just a great, wonderful, spooky, energetic, & fun story about an unlikely band of heroes made up of a bunch of dogs & a ginger cat named Orphan, who are IN IT TO WIN IT! They deal with all sorts of paranormal issues, & the like. I highly recommend to comic & graphic novel lovers who ALSO LOVE animals, & witchy cats, & the horror genre.
I have to say that I was SO impressed with this; it balanced wholesome animals with horror SO. INCREDIBLY. WELL. Woo! I love a good comic win, & that, this is, my friends.
There is so damn much to appreciate here. The writing ? Top notch. The artwork? Divine! You can't go wrong with THAT! ;))
Holy zombies, Batman! This was absolutely EXCELLENT ! Just a great, wonderful, spooky, energetic, & fun story about an unlikely band of heroes made up of a bunch of dogs & a ginger cat named Orphan, who are IN IT TO WIN IT! They deal with all sorts of paranormal issues, & the like. I highly recommend to comic & graphic novel lovers who ALSO LOVE animals, & witchy cats, & the horror genre.
I have to say that I was SO impressed with this; it balanced wholesome animals with horror SO. INCREDIBLY. WELL. Woo! I love a good comic win, & that, this is, my friends.
There is so damn much to appreciate here. The writing ? Top notch. The artwork? Divine! You can't go wrong with THAT! ;))
January 23, 2023
(4,5 of 5 for this paranormal comic gem)
I saved BoB for a long time. There was a great promise I would like it. The art - faithful and watercolour, that's my thing. Also, dogs and paranormal things are themes which are promising to me. And I must say, BoB really delivered. The start is a bit slow and this book is more episodic, but there is a main story lurking under each small one. And it works well. The art is super compelling to this. In moments of fun, in thrilling moments and in sad ones. In conclusion: the art is awesome, the storytelling is great and the stories are very good. It's not completely perfect, but it's damn near close.
I saved BoB for a long time. There was a great promise I would like it. The art - faithful and watercolour, that's my thing. Also, dogs and paranormal things are themes which are promising to me. And I must say, BoB really delivered. The start is a bit slow and this book is more episodic, but there is a main story lurking under each small one. And it works well. The art is super compelling to this. In moments of fun, in thrilling moments and in sad ones. In conclusion: the art is awesome, the storytelling is great and the stories are very good. It's not completely perfect, but it's damn near close.
November 26, 2022
I'd heard good things about Beasts of Burden but this surpassed expectations. The mix of cute talking animals with supernatural horror is fantastic. It can be silly and goofy, or a gore-filled bloody mess, or both at the same time! I love it. The characters all have their own personalities, some more one-dimensional but each story knows how to shift the focus between individual characters and use them all to their best. I can't wait to read more of this, the trade was obviously growing into a larger story as it went on.
May 9, 2019
What an incredible surprise this book was. I received this as a gift and had never heard of it before so I had z e r o idea what to expect, but I've heard great things about Evan Dorkin and hi it's about dogs so I was ready to throw my whole self into it.
This is such a unique blend of horror comics, supernatural story lines, and talking animals? Definitely not for kids, a lot of these stories and this art was scary even to me, a whole ass adult. Some of these stories were super dark and emotionally hard hitting which I definitely was not anticipating, but in the end that's a huge part of why this book was so good.
The art was just beautiful and the stories were beautiful and the characters all felt different from each other in their motivations, tactics, etc. I want to read more, I absolutely loved this.
This is such a unique blend of horror comics, supernatural story lines, and talking animals? Definitely not for kids, a lot of these stories and this art was scary even to me, a whole ass adult. Some of these stories were super dark and emotionally hard hitting which I definitely was not anticipating, but in the end that's a huge part of why this book was so good.
The art was just beautiful and the stories were beautiful and the characters all felt different from each other in their motivations, tactics, etc. I want to read more, I absolutely loved this.
August 10, 2016
The short stories start off fairly simple but quickly descend into darker and more serious themes. This comic is not afraid of showing blood and gore which considering the characters involved can come off as slightly incongruous. But since this is a fantasy genre, anything goes; for the most part, though the dogs and cats are depicted as the ones to save the day (hence their 'burden') they do know their limits and act in ways which remind the reader that underneath it all, they will always be domestic beasts at heart.
I recommend picking this series up if you like a) dogs; b) cats; c) both or d) animals in general.
I recommend picking this series up if you like a) dogs; b) cats; c) both or d) animals in general.
July 7, 2016
A pretty quick read. Not amazing, but enjoyable. A group of dogs (and one cat) solve supernatural mysteries in their neighborhood. It's like Scooby-Doo, but with all animals and a bit more graphic. (Zombie dogs, ghost animals, cannibalistic frogs, etc.)
I enjoyed this one, but there is nothing earth-shattering here.
I enjoyed this one, but there is nothing earth-shattering here.
March 26, 2020
Não sei pq demorei tanto pra ler esse quadrinho??
É absurdamente divertido, os protagonistas são carismáticos (meio difícil não ter carisma quando são cachorrinhos e gatinhos fofos)
Brilhante, divertido, fofo.
5 estrelas
É absurdamente divertido, os protagonistas são carismáticos (meio difícil não ter carisma quando são cachorrinhos e gatinhos fofos)
Brilhante, divertido, fofo.
5 estrelas
September 15, 2021
So, this book has been on my to-read list pretty much since it came out. It's been on it for so incredibly long that I forgot that it existed entirely and picked up the second volume in this series at the library not realizing it was the second volume until I came home. Oops. I quickly got the other volumes from the library and now have finally dug in, nearly a decade after the first book came out. Better late than never, right?
I was drawn to this book most recently due to the gorgeous artwork on the cover. The animals are drawn so incredibly realistically that at times I found myself laughing due to recognizing my own husky's expressions in Ace's face. The artwork draws the eye from panel to panel in a display of action that - while riveting - never overwhelms. The stories, while exciting, excite at a slower pace that seems a bit more in tune with the cycles of nature or a sense of time that's alien to human's. Of course, the release schedule for the comics (judging by other reviewer's reviews) also seems to abide by those rules of time. Maybe it's better I came into it late!
The story follows a group of dogs (and one cat) in the town of Burden Hill. After a series of strange supernatural events happens they are invited to become apprentice Wise Dogs - the sort of supernatural detectives of the animal world and are initiated into the Mysteries. Witches and werewolves, demons and zombies - these adventures run the gamut with stories with a surprising amount of heart that I can't get enough of.
If the art isn't a big enough draw to make you want to read this, hopefully this review will get you there. I'm surprised that I slept on this comic for so long because it is truly fantastic. I can't recommend this book enough, and I look forward to the 2 other volumes I get to read (maybe 3 other volumes??) This series is a true gem!
I was drawn to this book most recently due to the gorgeous artwork on the cover. The animals are drawn so incredibly realistically that at times I found myself laughing due to recognizing my own husky's expressions in Ace's face. The artwork draws the eye from panel to panel in a display of action that - while riveting - never overwhelms. The stories, while exciting, excite at a slower pace that seems a bit more in tune with the cycles of nature or a sense of time that's alien to human's. Of course, the release schedule for the comics (judging by other reviewer's reviews) also seems to abide by those rules of time. Maybe it's better I came into it late!
The story follows a group of dogs (and one cat) in the town of Burden Hill. After a series of strange supernatural events happens they are invited to become apprentice Wise Dogs - the sort of supernatural detectives of the animal world and are initiated into the Mysteries. Witches and werewolves, demons and zombies - these adventures run the gamut with stories with a surprising amount of heart that I can't get enough of.
If the art isn't a big enough draw to make you want to read this, hopefully this review will get you there. I'm surprised that I slept on this comic for so long because it is truly fantastic. I can't recommend this book enough, and I look forward to the 2 other volumes I get to read (maybe 3 other volumes??) This series is a true gem!
June 14, 2020
Vitajte v Burden Hill!
V tomto na prvý pohľad úplne normálnom mestečku sa jedného dňa začnú diať divné veci. Všetko to začne zakliatou búdou a pokračuje to démonmi, čarodejnicami, čiernou mágiou, zombie, fanatickými potkanmi a to je len začiatok!
Naštastie tu však je partia štvornohých paranormálnych vyšetrovateľov, ktorá urobí všetko preto, aby Burden Hill zachránila.
Zbierka krátkych príbehov, ktoré sú navzájom prepojené sa mi čítala naozaj dobre. Bol tu dostatok humoru, akcie, nefalšovaného hororu, záhad, ale aj momentov, kedy mi bolo trochu smutno. Partia zvierat je vystavaná skvele - ustrašený doberman, hrdinský husky, sakrastický mopslík, alebo ulicou vychovaná mačka. Všetky tieto postavy spolu fungujú a úžasne sa dopĺňajú. Zároveň ich zážitky psychicky poznačujú a ich osobnosť sa postupne mení. Môj osobný favorit je mopslík, vďaka ktorému výbuchy smiechu neboli ojedinelé.
Napriek tomu, že by Beast of Burden mohli pôsobiť infantilne, je to skvelá hororová zábava, miestami šokujúco krvavá a drsná. Bežne sa tu umiera a nie vždy skončí dianie happy-endom.
Keďže vo vzduchu bolo stále cítiť, že situácia sa v Burden Hill bude len zhoršovať, som veľmi zvedavý na ďalšie príbehy. Vám tento komiks vrelo odporúčam. Dlho som nečítal nič lepšie.
V tomto na prvý pohľad úplne normálnom mestečku sa jedného dňa začnú diať divné veci. Všetko to začne zakliatou búdou a pokračuje to démonmi, čarodejnicami, čiernou mágiou, zombie, fanatickými potkanmi a to je len začiatok!
Naštastie tu však je partia štvornohých paranormálnych vyšetrovateľov, ktorá urobí všetko preto, aby Burden Hill zachránila.
Zbierka krátkych príbehov, ktoré sú navzájom prepojené sa mi čítala naozaj dobre. Bol tu dostatok humoru, akcie, nefalšovaného hororu, záhad, ale aj momentov, kedy mi bolo trochu smutno. Partia zvierat je vystavaná skvele - ustrašený doberman, hrdinský husky, sakrastický mopslík, alebo ulicou vychovaná mačka. Všetky tieto postavy spolu fungujú a úžasne sa dopĺňajú. Zároveň ich zážitky psychicky poznačujú a ich osobnosť sa postupne mení. Môj osobný favorit je mopslík, vďaka ktorému výbuchy smiechu neboli ojedinelé.
Napriek tomu, že by Beast of Burden mohli pôsobiť infantilne, je to skvelá hororová zábava, miestami šokujúco krvavá a drsná. Bežne sa tu umiera a nie vždy skončí dianie happy-endom.
Keďže vo vzduchu bolo stále cítiť, že situácia sa v Burden Hill bude len zhoršovať, som veľmi zvedavý na ďalšie príbehy. Vám tento komiks vrelo odporúčam. Dlho som nečítal nič lepšie.
September 28, 2022
Fui uma ótima surpresa ler este quadrinhos Beasts of Burden: Rituais Animais, da editora Pipoca & Nanquim. Pensava que era apenas um quadrinho com os belos desenhos aquarelado de Jill Thompson, bonitos e fofinhos. Mas os roteiros de Evan Dorkin me surpreenderam positivamente e os elementos sobrenaturais prometidos no título casaram muito bem com a fofura dos desenhos de Thompson. Os personagens são bem explorados e vão num crescendo a cada história, embora essas histórias sejam autocontidas e que podem ser lidas uma independente das demais. As histórias também não subestimam ou superstimam o leitor, deixando quem lê bastante confortável, mas com aquela gana de ler todas as aventuras da turma de aprendizes de cães sábios de uma vez. Acho que não é por nada que uma segunda edição de Beasts of Burden já foi publicada pela Pipoca & Nanquim. Entretanto, o preço das suas edições continua bastante acima do praticado no mercado. Por isso, para ir atrás da segunda edição vai ser preciso uma promoção, como aconteceu com a primeira.
September 4, 2019
Naturalmente, a arte de Jill Thompson ("Sandman", "Mulher-Maravilha") se sobrepõe ao roteiro e ao seu mote inusitado: histórias de horror envolvendo um grupo de cães e gatos residentes em Burden Hill, uma região assolada por eventos sobrenaturais. As aquarelas captam a exata personalidade de cada um dos animais, reforçando a mitologia que eles constroem em torno do "Grande Cão" (o Deus dos caninos) e da "Cachorra Preta" (Seu anjo da morte). A edição da Pipoca e Nanquim vem com capa dura que dá um ar irônico de livro para crianças ao volume, e um ótimo apêndice com sketchbook anotado por Thompson.
December 26, 2019
I really loved this graphic novel. Everything about it was fun. It is kind of like a Scooby-Doo adventure but the "detectives" are animals and instead of people with masks, the culprits are real. You deal with witches, zombies, etc. It is also a lot darker than Scooby so it is not for kids.
The book is made up of sections of issues that the town has been plagued with and this group has to fight for our safety. There are times when you'll laugh and times when you'll cry. Times when you'll hold your breath and times you'll feel disturbed. Great mix of emotions! The characterization is perfect and the artwork is awesome! Can't wait to get my hands on more of their stories.
The book is made up of sections of issues that the town has been plagued with and this group has to fight for our safety. There are times when you'll laugh and times when you'll cry. Times when you'll hold your breath and times you'll feel disturbed. Great mix of emotions! The characterization is perfect and the artwork is awesome! Can't wait to get my hands on more of their stories.
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