Review: "Blacksad: A Silent Hell"

Blacksad: A Silent Hell written by Juan Diaz Canales & illustrated by Juanjo Guarnido (Dark Horse / Hardcover / 112 pages)


When I was living in France, a friend recommended these to me. They were difficult to find—not now that Dark Horse is producing translations in the States.


RECOMMENDATION: These are must buys for me. Yes, the characters are anthropomorphic animals living in late 1950's America but the stories are excellent examples of the noir genre and the art is spectacular.


REVIEW: This is the fourth volume in the series (see below for a collection of the first three volumes). In this volume, our protagonist, John Blacksad, P.I., goes to New Orleans to solve a case. As I said above, the story is an excellent noir story. The art is spectacular and rendered in watercolor! Having been to New Orleans more than a few times, it feels like New Orleans. I spent a lot time lingering over the panels—drinking in the atmosphere and the detail.


There is an extensive section following the story that explains Guarnido's process. There is also two (very) short stories at the back of the book.

Blacksad written by Juan Diaz Canales & illustrated by Juanjo Guarnido (Dark Horse / Hardcover / 180 pages)


This book is a collection of the first three (3) volumes: Somewhere within the Shadows, Arctic Nation, and Red Soul. It is not really necessary to read them in order.