Blacksad: Comic series about cat detective adapted into video game

The story of Blacksad begins when the protagonist, a cat detective, is hired by the daughter of a boxing club owner, who died suspiciously, to locate the club's star fighter, missing since the man's death. — dpa

The prize-winning comic album detective series Blacksad has been adapted into a narrative adventure video game. Titled Blacksad: Under The Skin, the game presents an all-new story – with many new characters – but hews closely to the original comics.

Inspired by American film noir and backed by a jazz soundtrack, the story is set in 1950s New York City. It follows hardboiled private detective John Blacksad, a black cat with a white snout resembling a goatee. All of the more than 30 characters are anthropomorphic animals whose species reflect their personality and role in the story.

The story begins when protagonist Blacksad is hired by the daughter of a boxing club owner, who died suspiciously, to locate the club's star fighter, missing since the man's death.

Blacksad's investigation takes him to the "darkest, most dismal depths" of New York City's underworld, the game's website says.

The gameplay combines investigations, searches for clues, fights, witness interviews, quick-time events and multiple-choice dialogue. The player's actions directly influence the development of the characters and the story’s ending.

Developed by Madrid-based Pendulo Studios with assistance by YS Interactive, Blacksad: Under The Skin is playable on PC, Mac, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch.

The Blacksad comic series, translated into more than 20 languages, was created by writer Juan Diaz Canales and illustrator Juanjo Guarnido, both Spaniards. – dpa