What is it with the Europeans and their mastery of the anthropomorphic sub-sub-sub genre? Written by Spaniards for French audiences, the award-winning series has been published in more than 20 languages. The stories closely resemble American pulp fiction, with the titular PI a big, black, burly kitty in a trench coat, more Philip Marlowe than Sylvester in his mien. Blacksad investigates all the underbelly society has to offer in 1950s New Orleans, the perfect setting for racial tensions, abductions, murder mysteries and beatdowns. Wars — in this case the specter of WWII and the height of the Communist Red Scare — make cameos, and Blacksad bears it all with stoicism, when he doesn't get seriously pissed off. Beautifully painted panels and sharp pacing will keep you turning pages, as will the many mentions of key historical moments — and oh so many unsavory characters and hot dames — woven into the storylines.
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