Per the synopsis, “in U.S-occupied Japan after World War II, a mysterious curse creates an army of crawling, disembodied heads which threatens to overwhelm the region. Emrys and a team of canine companions attempt to solve the mystery, bringing them into conflict with shape-changing tanuki, evil oni, and a horde of vengeful demons.”
“I’m very excited to have a new ‘Beasts of Burden’ story for the fans and I’m extremely happy with the way everything came together working with Sarah, Benjamin and Nate,” Dorkin said. “Why post-war Japan? I used to half-jokingly ask editor Daniel Chabon if we could have his Shiba Inu, Zell. He said we should have a Shiba in the series, instead. One thing led to another, one idea led to three more, and that’s where our latest story of dogs fighting supernatural evil ended up.”
Created by Dorkin and Jill Thompson in 2003, “Beasts of Burden” follows a group of intelligent dogs and cats who investigate paranormal going ons in the small neighborhood of Burden Hill. The Wise Dogs are the shamanic elders of their community, whom they often consult with. To date, there have three series and several one-shots, which have been collected in three hardcover volumes.
“Beasts of Burden: Occupied Territory” #1 will be released online and in comics stores on April 7.
