Metadoggoz
Written & Art by: Bérénice Motais De Narbonne
Editor: Tom Devlin
Translator: Montana Kane
Published: 2026 by Drawn and Quarterly
Frankly, I have been dreading writing this review.
That is unusual for someone with nearly four decades as a journalist and a rather lengthy résumé of review writing, covering everything from golf discs and CDs to books and comic books.
Metadoggoz is a graphic novel, so that should make it a comfortable review to write.
But it isn’t.
From Montreal-based Drawn and Quarterly, I wasn’t surprised that this one was a bit out there. The publisher has long been willing to embrace the unusual, while consistently producing books that are ultimately compelling, even when they challenge readers.
A graphic novel is always judged, at least in part, on the strength of both its artwork and its storytelling.
On the artistic side, Bérénice Motais De Narbonne has created some stunning black-and-white illustrations. Several full-page panels are packed with such intricate detail that you feel like grabbing a magnifying glass and settling in for an extended study. The artwork alone is worth spending time with.
The story, also written by Motais De Narbonne, is a much wilder ride.
As a reader, you really need to strap yourself in. A race car safety harness is recommended because Metadoggoz takes you on a journey filled with sudden climbs, sharp turns, unexpected drops, and dark tunnels where it’s easy to lose your bearings. I’m not sure I grasped everything. In fact, I’m mature enough to admit that I didn’t. By the time I reached the end, however, I wasn’t convinced that complete understanding was really the point.
Metadoggoz feels like a book that values the experience of reading over the certainty of interpretation. You absorb what you can, carry away the ideas that resonate with you, and spend time reflecting on them afterward. That approach may frustrate some readers, but for others it will be exactly what makes the book memorable.
When I finished, I found myself confused, intrigued, exhilarated, and still trying to process exactly what I had read. Even after giving it some time to settle, I wasn’t entirely sure how to interpret everything. Oddly enough, that uncertainty became part of the book’s appeal.
If you enjoy graphic novels that push the boundaries of conventional storytelling and challenge you to think beyond the page, Metadoggoz is well worth a look.
You can learn more about it from Drawn and Quarterly.
About Author
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
Metadoggoz
Written & Art by: Bérénice Motais De Narbonne
Editor: Tom Devlin
Translator: Montana Kane
Published: 2026 by Drawn and Quarterly
Frankly, I have been dreading writing this review.
That is unusual for someone with nearly four decades as a journalist and a rather lengthy résumé of review writing, covering everything from golf discs and CDs to books and comic books.
Metadoggoz is a graphic novel, so that should make it a comfortable review to write.
But it isn’t.
From Montreal-based Drawn and Quarterly, I wasn’t surprised that this one was a bit out there. The publisher has long been willing to embrace the unusual, while consistently producing books that are ultimately compelling, even when they challenge readers.
A graphic novel is always judged, at least in part, on the strength of both its artwork and its storytelling.
On the artistic side, Bérénice Motais De Narbonne has created some stunning black-and-white illustrations. Several full-page panels are packed with such intricate detail that you feel like grabbing a magnifying glass and settling in for an extended study. The artwork alone is worth spending time with.
The story, also written by Motais De Narbonne, is a much wilder ride.
As a reader, you really need to strap yourself in. A race car safety harness is recommended because Metadoggoz takes you on a journey filled with sudden climbs, sharp turns, unexpected drops, and dark tunnels where it’s easy to lose your bearings. I’m not sure I grasped everything. In fact, I’m mature enough to admit that I didn’t. By the time I reached the end, however, I wasn’t convinced that complete understanding was really the point.
Metadoggoz feels like a book that values the experience of reading over the certainty of interpretation. You absorb what you can, carry away the ideas that resonate with you, and spend time reflecting on them afterward. That approach may frustrate some readers, but for others it will be exactly what makes the book memorable.
When I finished, I found myself confused, intrigued, exhilarated, and still trying to process exactly what I had read. Even after giving it some time to settle, I wasn’t entirely sure how to interpret everything. Oddly enough, that uncertainty became part of the book’s appeal.
If you enjoy graphic novels that push the boundaries of conventional storytelling and challenge you to think beyond the page, Metadoggoz is well worth a look.
You can learn more about it from Drawn and Quarterly.
About Author
Calvin Daniels
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
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