Beasts of Burden: Animal Rites

Beasts of Burden: Animal Rites

Evan Dorkin2018
This six-time Eisner Award-winning comic book series blending fantasy and humor features the adventures of paranormal pets investigating the horrors of their suburban community. This volume collects the comic-book series Beasts of Burden issues #1-4, the short stories from the Dark Horse Book of Hauntings, the Dark Horse Book of Witchcraft, the Dark Horse Book of the Dead, and the Dark Horse Book of Monsters, "Stray," "Unfamiliar," "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie," and "A Dog and His Boy," published by Dark Horse Comics. Black magic, demonic frogs, and zombie roadkill are just a few of the problems plaguing this seemingly sleepy little town. Beneath the quiet streets a rat cabal plots vengeance, while in the local cemetery the dead leave their graves. With the human residents unaware of the supernatural danger, it's up to a determined crew of dogs (and one cat) to keep their community safe. Lives will be lost, and bonds forged as the beasts of Burden Hill battle against an unknown evil rooted within their town. Award-winning comics creators Evan Dorkin (Milk & Cheese) and Jill Thompson (Scary Godmother) come together to share the lives of some unlikely heroes. "For pet lovers and enthusiasts of supernatural mysteries, the series is an absolute must. . . The surprise factor within this series is not the suspense or horror, but rather the emotional resonance that the writing and illustrations create. . . Beasts of Burden is one of the comic book highlights of 2009."--USA Today
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Reviews

Photo of Maggie Gordon
Maggie Gordon@maggieg
5 stars
Aug 13, 2022

I don't usually log my comic singles on Goodreads, but this is Beasts of Burden, one of my favourite comics of all time so... What the Cat Dragged In is a fantastic one shot where the cats take the lead. Dymphna is trying to get into her old home to deal with undisclosed matters, so Orphan and the Kid draft a raccoon into service, and into the house they all go. The place is covered in decay, and we shortly find out that it is because a demon that Dymphna summoned is still stuck there. (view spoiler)[In true heartwrenching Beasts of Burden style, Dymphna deals with the demon, but it is too late to save her daughters, whose bones she buries in the last scene of the comic. As always, Beasts of Burden leaves you feeling like you've been punched in the gut even though you were just reading a story involving adorable animals. (hide spoiler)]