In his graphic novel debut, Chicago cartoonist Max Huffman presents Dogtangle; a unique and abstract tale about an unstoppable power couple who defy God, nature, and just about anything to create the ultimate hound of hell.
Published by Fantagraphics, Max Huffman’s Dogtangle is unlike most graphic novels you’ll read. It’s a refreshing book, showcasing a variety of gorgeous cartoonist styles, not least abstraction, cubism, and mid-century modernism. Moreover, the story itself is eclectic but also so relevant to our times, fuelled heavily by the mistrust of corporate leadership.
Dogtangle begins with a town hall meeting in a Taco Bell, in a location bogged down by bland and uncultured corporate landscapes. There, we meet a man, Vernon Smitlh, bent on grumbling to everyone about those pesky zoning laws. He meets a woman who works in the pharmaceutical marketing sector. After hitting it off, they get married… and from their union a very peculiar idea springs into existence. What is it? Well, it’s the Hypermutt — something of a modern Cerberus — an entangled mass of dogs that ever-grows from absorbing every dog it encounters. Much like the corporate world, in fairness.
Dogtangle delivers sharp social critique through brilliantly abstract cartoons. The expressive, visually distinctive artwork is a joy to flick through. The comic is laugh-out-loud funny at times (especially in a black comedy manner), but it’s also a whimsically cautionary commentary on the world we live in. It’s wild, fantastical, and also occasionally nonsensical — but so very relevant.
You’re never quite sure what’s going to be on the next page, but you can be absolutely certain that it’ll surprise, shock, or delight you. Needless to say, I had a lot of fun with this book. Huffman’s graphic novel debut is a triumphant one, and I’m excited to keep tabs on his career.
Dogtangle releases November 4, 2025 from Fantagraphics.
You can pre-order Dogtangle here.
