A Haunting Introduction in Stray Dogs #1
Have you ever found yourself hoping for a series that blends Lady and the Tramp themes with Silence of the Lambs? Well, good news! That is exactly what Stray Dogs promises. So get ready to cry, and probably get a little bit scared at times. You know, just in case.
They say that dogs don’t exactly have the best memory. At least, that’s the story that Stray Dogs is sticking to. It would certainly explain why Sophie, an adorable little pup, doesn’t seem to recall the horrors that crossed her path.
Stray Dogs #1 is the first of a five-issue miniseries from Image Comics, with the first issue set to release on February 17. Written by Tony Fleecs, with artists Trish Forstner (art) and Brad Simpson (colors), this series will surely be memorable.
Writing
Right off the bat, Stray Dogs #1 is an issue that tugs at your heartstrings. Arguably, this isn’t a series to read if you’re looking for a feel-good pup story (then again, who didn’t cry during All Dogs Go to Heaven and all the rest?).
Still, it promises a mystery, and that’ll be enough to keep many fans invested in what little Sophie is about to go through. Having read the first issue, I can tell you that they have done a brilliant job of setting the scene.
It’s a story that raises many questions as the narrative slowly reveals what is happening. As the story progresses, there’s this wonderful (yet heartbreaking) sense of growing horror. And it doesn’t stop when the issue ends, either. It’s one of those stories when the more you think about it, the more you understand. And the more you understand, the more horrifying it gets.
So yeah, it’s not a heartwarming story. Not yet, at any rate. I’m still hoping for a happy ending, but only time will tell on that front. What the story is, though, is fascinating. It’s wonderfully written, merging two of the most unlikely themes together into something new and captivating.
Art
Regarding the artwork, Stray Dogs #1 feels like it leans more towards Lady and the Tramp than Silence of the Lambs. The artwork is actually quite cute – but of course, it would have to be, wouldn’t it? After all, a dozen dogs are romping around the pages.
The bright images and happy colors do little to ward off that sense of dread. If anything, they increase it, working together with that lingering sense of wrongness. It’s actually pretty chilling when you think about it.
Still, even knowing all that, there are some great images to be found within this issue. The two-page spread found early on is one of my favorites, nailing that Oliver and Company vibe to perfection.
Conclusion
Stray Dogs #1 is probably not an issue you want to pick up when you have no idea what will happen in it. But if you do know what to expect? It’s absolutely worth the read. It’ll break your heart, chill you to the bones, and leave you curious to see what will happen next.
The unique blend of themes and storytelling tropes is so creative here, as it’s perfectly designed to get under our skin. Who wouldn’t empathize with a cute little dog with memory problems? Or root for her, for that matter.
This review was originally written for Word of the Nerd, but has been ported over to Quirky Cat’s Fat Stacks now that the site has shut down.
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