Mush!: Sled Dogs With Issues

Glenn Eichler (Author) and Joe Infurnari (Illustrator)

First Second/fiction graphic novel

Release Date:  December 6, 2011

Venus wants Buddy to quit asking her to “make puppies.” Buddy wants Winston’s help wooing Venus. Winston wants Guy’s respect. Guy wants Dolly’s job. Dolly wants to know the meaning of it all. Nobody knows what Fiddler really wants, not even Fiddler. But mostly . . . these sled dogs just want to run. 

Sounds simple? It should be, but even dogs have their office politics.  Office politics with sharp, sharp teeth.

From Colbert Report writer Glenn Eichler and dogchanneling artist Joe “Fur” Infurnari comes a postmodern tale of heroism on the tundra, epic romance, and yellow snow. (Hint: don’t eat it.) Mush! is Arrested Development meets Call of the Wild—two great tastes that taste pretty funny together.

With one successful and one unsuccessful foray into the graphic novel genre, I approached Mush!: Sled Dogs With Issues with some trepidation.

To be honest, I didn’t pay much attention to what was being said initially, because I was too busy checking out the illustrations.  I was really taken with the dogs and their distinct personalities.  The action leaps off the page, thanks to Infurnari’s work.

The story is interesting, but a bit odd.  It really is like peeking in on a dysfunctional office.

My verdict:  Read it!  I’m going to put this in the “win” column for graphic novels.  Quirky and entertaining.