Blacksad (2000), Volume 5

Starred review from January 5, 2015
The return of feline 1950's-era gumshoe John Blacksad is always worth looking forward to. In the wake of the tragic events of the previous story, A Silent Hell, Blacksad seeks short-term employment in any field other than private investigation and accepts a wealthy Texas's offer to drive his flashy Cadillac from New Orleans to Tulsa. That seemingly simple gig gets crazier when a pair of radical beatnik poets riding steal the car and take it to Amarillo, Texas, where a traveling circus, a mysterious woman with a secret, attempted rape, a vengeful former FBI agent, and a gang of bikers straight out of The Wild One swirl in a maelstrom of cold-blooded murder. Once again Canales and Guardino pull off a noir tour de force, skillfully crafting a riveting script bolstered by stunning watercolor illustrations, proving that their previous Eisner and Harvey awards â and acclaim in Europe, where Blacksad is an icon â were no hollow accolades. But while the script is a solid Chandler-esque thriller, it's Guarnido's animation-influenced artwork that's the true draw here, with each panel rife with detail, color, and unforgettable character designs.