Review by Ian Keogh

Whilst theoretically a story about two groups of teenagers involved in a mystery, The Case of the Good Boy is actually a vehicle for John Allison to have his cast wander around their town of Tackleford delivering sitcom sharp dialogue. Think of it as the cast of Hollyoaks back when it was teenagers, but with nicer, funnier people and a smidgen of magical realism. As established in The Case of the Team Spirit, Lottie, Mildred and Shauna are slightly older than Jack, Linton and Sonny, who’re around twelve. In their hearts the boys know they’re soft outsiders, while the girls seem considerably older and exude confidence.

That, though, doesn’t mean they can see through every con at the local fairground. The sample art shows Mildred convinced she can win an exotic pencil that will manifest her wishes when she draws them. It’s one of the numerous quirks Allison applies to the good natured cast, another being that the magic pencil might actually work. The good boy of the title isn’t one of a succession of infants who’re going missing from the local nursery, but a bizarre looking large dog that appears at Mildred’s house one evening.

Although better known for his writing, Allison’s an excellent cartoonist. His characters have life on the page, and they occupy complete backgrounds, be they internal or external. That writing, though, really is good. There’s not a line wasted. Early in the book there’s mention of Naturecraft, rapidly cut off as a joke ending, but later on Naturecraft plays a part.

Occasionally the pacing betrays the strip’s origin as a daily webcomic, and the need to lead to a daily punchline can involve a clunker, but compared to the laughs and joy on offer, that’s inconsequential. Allison has a refined way of processing the ridiculous so everything actually makes sense in the end, and this a second joyful Bad Machinery outing. The Case of the Simple Soul is up next.