Stray Dogs #1

Readers know I’m not a horror fan, but I’ve figured out how to get me interested in a story about a potential serial killer — tell it from a perspective of a cute dog.

Stray Dogs #1, out February 24, is being described as Lady and the Tramp meets Silence of the Lambs. It’s the first of a five-issue miniseries written by Tony Fleecs and illustrated by Trish Forstner, both of whom have worked on My Little Pony.

Sophie is a papillon who’s the new dog in a house full of them. The comic takes care to tell us that dogs don’t have much short-term memory, which makes it tricky for Sophie to figure out why she’s in this foster home. But then she starts having flashbacks…

It’s all gorgeously illustrated, as though we’re watching an animated movie. The various dog breeds are amazing, each conveying their own personality, even when sitting still, through the excellence of the art.

It’s an intriguing premise, translating the “I’m the only one who knows the truth” style of thriller to the canine world, complicated by different brains and abilities. The obvious comparison is Beasts of Burden, but this isn’t supernatural, just creepy. I’m really curious to find out what happens next. (The publisher provided a digital review copy.)