By Morris, Fauche and Léturgie
Publisher: Cinebook
ISBN: 9781800441125
It’s probably a stretch to expect that most folk under forty, let alone the youth of today, will know that there was once a canine movie star called Rin Tin Tin. The hound was so popular that he starred in 27 films from 1922 until 1931. You don’t need to know this to enjoy this Lucky Luke spin-off, but it will at least help you understand the gag of Rin Tin Can’s name, and why he even exists as a character.
If you’ve read only a few Lucky Luke’s then chances are you’ve come across Rin Tin Can already. Unlike his movie inspiration, Rin Tin Can is neither heroic nor smart. To put it bluntly, he’s as bright as black paint. If he can get it wrong, he will, and often spectacularly so. Almost every situation is misunderstood as the dog makes his way through the world with a perspective that only limited brain cells can give. Obviously, this is excellent fuel for a series all to himself.
In The Mascot we meet the 7th Cavalry and their deeply superstitious colonel. The colonel owes much of his unit’s good fortune to their lucky mascot, a dog called Fido. What’s not so fortunate is that the mascots keep disappearing, meaning replacement Fidos are required to ensure the 7th Cavalry’s continued sunny outlook. This is supported by the fantastic news that the President of United States will be paying their small garrison a personal visit.
However, when Fido VI disappears panic entails, and the nearest replacement that can be located is holed up supporting the nearby prison: one Rin Tin Can. If the colonel was hoping to restore his luck he most certainly picked the wrong dog. Almost everything goes wrong immediately, and it doesn’t really get any better.
I was especially pleased to see that the book is illustrated by Morris. There’s something especially comforting about seeing his artwork upon the page. Oodles of good gags, great pay offs, and even an explanation as to where all those Fidos have been going. Very pleasing to see that there’s more books to come.
And if you liked that: Get stuck into Lucky Luke!
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