Rendered in a film noir style, the stories are set in late 1950s America. All of the characters are anthropomorphic animals whose species reflects their personality, character type and role in the story. Animal stereotypes are often used: for example, nearly all of the policemen are canids, such as German Shepherds, Bloodhounds, and foxes, while underworld characters are often reptiles or amphibians. Female characters are often much more human looking than their male counterparts.

Players experience a brand-new adventure of the charismatic black cat and private detective, John Blacksad.

For the first time, players will be able to see their hero John Blacksad in 3D, along with some of the game’s settings: the boxing club where his investigation begins or an alley in the city of New York, as imagined by Pendulo Studios and YS Interactive.

Originally planned for Q4 2018, Blacksad: Under the Skin will be released for PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC and Mac in 2019.

As part of this novelesque exclusive adventure, players will play the private detective John Blacksad, a cynical, seductive and nonchalant anthropomorphic cat. “We want the player to discover all sides of John Blacksad's complex personality and choose the one he wants to be." Declares Josue Monchan – Game Designer at Pendulo Studios.

It’s the early 50s, and corruption, money and fame are poisoning the sports world, in particular boxing. The owner of a boxing club is found dead, and his star boxer, soon to be taking to the ring in an important bout, has disappeared. To solve the case, John Blacksad must once again poke through the seedy entrails of New York City…

The comic attempts to reflect a dirty-realist outlook and a dark cinematic style through fairly clean, realistic lines. Detailed watercolor drawings, including real-life places and cities, also contribute to the realistic feel of the series, despite the fact that characters are animals. The style of drawing has evolved throughout the series, with later issues displaying sharper, higher-quality color and fewer grainy lines.

The main characters are:

• John Blacksad – hardboiled private investigator. A black cat, Blacksad was raised in a poor neighborhood and spent much of his youth running from the police. This and his service in World War II likely account for his above-average marksmanship and fighting skills. He also spent a year in college as a history major before being expelled. Like other hardboiled detectives, Blacksad narrates his stories, adding cynical commentary on the evils of the world around him. Unlucky in love, he never seems to be able to form a lasting relationship, often due to circumstances beyond his control. He usually wears a dark suit and trench coat, and uses the alias John H. Blackmore on several fake IDs, including debt collector, FBI agent and customs officer.
• Weekly – Blacksad's occasional sidekick. A brown least weasel who does not like soap and water and has an odor problem, he has a near-constant optimistic attitude, working as a muckraker for a tabloid called the What's News.
• Smirnov – Police commissioner and friend of Blacksad. A brown German Shepherd, Smirnov sometimes helps Blacksad to reach the rich and powerful which he himself cannot touch due to 'pressure upstairs'.