Reviews

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  By Strangely - January 9, 2013 2:56 am Log in to Reply

  I have mixed feelings about this volume, which I hope I can explain below (because frankly I don’t like equating and three star review with “Mediocre” but let’s leave that for another, more semantical discussion.). Short answer, the book is a blast, and it’s bloody good fun, even if it doesn’t quite deliver on several fronts.

  The biggest problem I have with the book is really it’s break-neck pace. I feel that just as we’re getting to know the characters they either die or change drastically, and honestly the book ends really quickly. The whole enterprise feels sort-of rushed. Perhaps it’s just me being spoiled by Brian K. Vaughn’s sprawling, well developed works, [Y – The Last Man (Recently completed and available at your friendly Alternative Library.) and Saga (Currently in progress, and also available at the Alt.Lib.)] but honestly I wanted this to be about twice as long.

  The story (such as it is) concerns three enhanced animal subjects escaping from a top secret Air Force (Seriously? I mean why are they the go-to for animal experimentation projects… maybe the exotic looking tech is in import through their Stargate Program(s)? ) facility and then just simply trying to find some peace and quiet. The Government in typical and sadly, totally believable, fashion goes after them with everything they’ve got. What follows is some of the most interestingly drawn comic mayhem I’ve yet seen. My friends, you’ve not truly lived until you’ve seen a housecat tear an entire platoon to ribbons. Magnificent. But the Rabbit, dear lord in heaven, the Rabbit, I won’t say who he takes down, but good heavens it’s fantastic! This little guy causes more mayhem (though not necessarily death) than all the others combined. Also: Pissed. Off. Bunny. Face. He’s like a tiny Samurai!

  I guess that’s really the problem though. The only things about the book the really stuck with me, were some crazy art, (which often trips itself up when a simpler, cleaner panel would do), and some truly horrendous moments of human stupidity. I felt hardly any connection to the three titular leads as anything more than broad concepts, and basically only rooted for them because I hated the Government suits so much. And maybe that’s the point, Morrison et. al. are striving for an “everypet” quality, I don’t know…

  I found myself wanting to spend more time with We3 out in the wilderness, interacting with normal animals. Having awkward conversations with humans. Maybe a side arc where they go and live on a farm someplace and try to adjust to life but end up burning down the house trying to help out with a rat problem. The possibilities are numerous…

  To sum up: This book is the kick in the shorts to “cute animal fiction” it sets out to be. And it certainly has the gore to give it’s thoughts about animal usage for our own ends some real weight. I just wanted more quiet moments out of this book, because aren’t those what really bond us with our animal friends?