I didn't know what to expect from Pigtale. It's not the sort of thing I normally buy without knowing something about the concept or the strength of the creator's work. When I saw it in Previews, there was just something about it that piqued my curiosity. Image featured it prominently in its promotional material back a couple of months ago, so I decided to give it a shot. I'm sooooooo glad that I did. Clearly influence by animation as opposed to comics, creator Ovi Nedelcu has brought together a diverse array of genres -- slice-of-life, private eye and cute talking animals -- to develop something truly charming, unique and entertaining. I expect this won't be the easiest comic book to come across, but it's definitely worth the effort to seek it out.
Boston Brown Jr. longs to follow in his father's footsteps. The late Boston Sr. was Portland's most respected and successful investigator, and Junior's looking for a private eye job to begin his career. Even the old man's name isn't helping him out, though, as Boston just doesn't have his dad's education, background or confidence. Speaking of confidence, he wishes he had more so he could ask out Carmen, the gorgeous woman who serves him coffee every day at a local cafe. He's quite smitten with her, and he jumps at the chance to see her sing at a local club. Meanwhile, a genetics research firm in town has made a significant breakthrough in animal communication... one that's going to have a great impact on Boston's life soon enough.
Nedelcu's style looks like a cross between Genndy (The Powerpuff Girls, Samurai Jack) Tartakovsky's art and design style and the work of Scott (Southpaw, Soulwind) Morse, with a touch of modern Disney house style and John K. influences thrown in for good measure. The main character here describes himself as a "man-child," and that's exactly what he looks like here. There's a brutish quality to his look, but there's a softness to him as well. There's a great energy in the characters' eyes, and I love Nedelcu's character designs.
The creator brings the notion of private investigators to a level the reader can relate to with Boston Brown. He's a 20-something guy whose dreams are just out of his grasp, who has trouble with women and who has trouble paying his bills. He's thoroughly likable, and one can't help but cheer him on when it looks as though he's got a shot to get the girl. The surreal turn the story takes by the issue's end is in keeping with the quirkiness of the characters and the over-the-top, exaggerated artwork.
Every once in a while a special kind of comic book comes along and surprises those interested in black-and-white and/or small-press comic books, the kind of comic book crafted by a single creator's vision. Jeff Smith's Bone comes to mind, as does Tom Beland's True Story Swear to God. Pigtale is one such rare comic book, and it seems Ovi Nedelcu is one such creator. 9/10
