May 2011 Graphic Novel Recommendations

Prize-winning, long out of print, Duncan the Wonder Dog, is finally back, and yes, yes, yes, it was worth the wait. The hype was not misplaced or exaggerated. The first book of nine, Duncan takes place in a world and time very similar to our own, except that animals can talk and, not surprisingly, occupy a less than privileged place in society. The story centers around the activities of an animal terrorist organization and a loose collection of humans and animals tied together in a complicated net. Hines has set up the book with an addictive sense of pacing - drawing and writing scenes of philosophic inquiry or humorous moments with the same flare and equal attention that he gives scenes of drama and violence. This is an outrageously smart book, full of references to philosophy and a deeper sense of atmosphere and setting than I would have thought possible in a comic. The art, too, excels: from scenic nature scenes, to collages, to the somehow realistic and cartoony way he draws humans and animals. Do not miss this book!