KENNEL BLOCK BLUES #1 Review

Written By:  Ryan Ferrier
Illustrated By:  Daniel Bayliss
Colored By:  Adam Metcalfe
Lettered By:  Colin Bell
Publisher:  BOOM! Studios

What happens when you mix Oz with Shawshank Redemption?  You get the newest miniseries from BOOM! Studios called Kennel Block Blues.  Take a prison drama and substitute household pets for inmates.  You’re left with Kennel Block Blues.

For all the superhero comics I read, I still enjoy some straight-up comedies.  No one does a better job of providing that than Ryan Ferrier.  I was first introduced to Ryan’s work on the IDW series D4VE.  The man can write some hilarious comics.  We even had him on an episode of Comic Book Chronicles.  Joining Ferrier on Kennel Block Blues are artist Daniel Bayliss, colorist Adam Metcalfe and letterer Colin Bell.

Metcalfe did wonderful color work contrasting the real world and Oliver’s fantasy world.  As Oliver points out, his owners were fans of of bright and cheerful television shows.  When Oliver get nervous, he sings theme songs and starts daydreaming of smiling bugs and rainbows.  Even the lettering from Bell changes in Oliver’s fantasies.  Multicolors abound.  Also, the comic titles reflects that of someone sketching on a prison wall with chalk.

I love how Oliver’s cheerful attitude irritates everyone around him.  Bayliss’ art is expressive in how he illustrates everyone reacting to Oliver.  Rabid dogs and cats are growling, showing their teeth.  Bayliss really impressed me with his level of detail.  Backgrounds were filled-out and action flowed from panel to panel.

Kennel Block Blues feels like a network show in comic book form.  Ferrier portrays Oliver as the eternal optimist.  He’s certain his imprisonment at Jackson State Kennel is all a big understanding.  Jackson State Kennel is filled with all types of animals (dogs, cats, reptiles, and rodents).  If you’re going to have the prim and proper protagonist in Oliver, then you need to have him bounce off someone of opposite demeanor.  Enter the brutish Cosmo, Oliver’s new buddy.  I was surprised Ferrier had Cosmo show restraint with Oliver.  Cosmo’s used to being locked up.  Maybe he felt bad for Oliver and his optimism.

It wouldn’t be a prison story without the fish-out-of-water (Oliver) getting involved in prison politics.  His cellmate, Sugar, is involved with a rival cat gang.  Oliver inserts himself into the situation, and all hell breaks loose.

Credit: BOOM! Studios
Credit: BOOM! Studios

#ComicBookChronicles @CBChron founder. Editor-in-Chief of @thekliqnation. Comic book reviewer, podcaster #RABBLERABBLE