Writer: Grant Morrison
Illustrator: Frank Quitely
Publisher: Vertigo
WHAT IS IT?
A commentary on the heartlessness of humankind shown through the aggressive pursuit of three weaponized animals.
Like Homeward Bound, but violent, with technology and a bunny.
WHAT'S IT ABOUT?
(Minor Spoilers)
A dog, a cat, and a rabbit have been turned into sentient weapons of moderate destruction and have also been given limited speech.
The animals escape the government program, but are still part of the weaponized technology. In order to keep them a secret, the government has to hunt them down. The three, who are colloquially called “WE3,” evade their pursuers and seek out their “home,” where they can be safe and live out the rest of their days in peace.
Will these three friends make it home alive? Is there a place for them after everything that has happened?
WHAT WORKS?
The creative team on this book is incredibly talented and experienced, and they pack a lot of story and emotion into just over 100 pages
The animals are more human than the people in the book, which is a poignant and sad theme throughout
Quitely on art is always fantastic, and he brings a lot of humanity to the animals
Dialogue is sparse, almost utilitarian, but realistic and incredibly effective at moving the story along while also conveying so much feeling
You find yourself rooting for the WE3 team almost immediately and really hoping they find “Home,” even if you don’t think they’ll make it
James Gunn (director of Guardians of the Galaxy) expressed interest in making it a movie back in 2015
WHAT DOESN'T WORK?
The actual dialogue from WE3 can be confusing at times, especially at first, before you catch onto their speech patterns (see example below)
Trigger Warning for violence to animals (and to people, too, I suppose)
If you’re not ready to read something pretty heavy, I’d maybe avoid this one
WHY SHOULD I READ IT?
It’s a quick and powerful read by a team who works really well together. A classic from the day it was published.
WHAT DO I READ NEXT?
If you like the writing:
New X-Men, Vol. 1 by Grant Morrison & Frank Quitely
Angelic, Vol. 1 by Simon Spurrier & Caspar Wijngaard
Maus by Art Spiegelman
If you like the art:
All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison & Frank Quitely
Jupiter’s Legacy, Vol. 1 by Mark Millar & Frank Quitely
Astonishing X-Men, Vol. 1 by Joss Whedon & John Cassaday
ABOUT THE CREATORS
Grant Morrison – Writer
Name Recognition: Very popular for their work on X-Men, Superman and Batman
Multitalented: Also writes stage-plays and screenplays
Outlander: Born in Scotland and lives there sometimes, too!
Frank Quitely – Artist
Award Winner: Has won several Eisner and Harvey awards for his work with Grant Morrison on WE3 and All-Star Superman
Outlander: Lives in Scotland
Born Vincent Deighan, he writes under his Frank Quitely pen name
Jamie Grant – Colorist & Digital Inker
Dream Team: Often works with Grant Morrison and/or Frank Quitely on other comics
Has a great video where he explains digital coloring
Todd Klein – Letterer
Award Winner: Since starting out in comics over 40 years ago, he has won many, many awards
Has created over 100 of his own fonts
Name Recognition: Is one of the best, most renowned letterers in the business
HOW DO I BUY IT?
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