Chris's Reviews > We3

The American Military have kidnapped three pets, Bandit the dog, Tinker the cat and Pirate the rabbit. Fitted them with weaponized mech suits, given them the ability to speak and reconditioned them to be killing machines. After years of successful covert operations they are to be “decommissioned” (or killed in our money) but manage to escape. They set off in search of “home” while fighting off the military might send to eradicate them.

What is it about animal protagonists that instantly make a story so emotive? I guess it's that they are innocent victims, unburdened by right or wrong. Forced by humans to carry out their bidding. Anyone looking for a short concise story to use as an argument against animal testing need look no further.

The characteristics of each animal (it feels so wrong referring to them as animals after reading this) are also captured wonderfully here. The dog, strong, loyal and insecure. The cat, sly, cynical, independent. The rabbit, gentle, nimble and trusting. There weaponised selves play to these strengths. I won't go into detail on this as it is a great part of the story. All I will as is, the cat is totally badass.

This book is beautiful. The story is beautiful. The artwork is beautiful. In fact I have never seen Frank Quietly draw so wonderfully (I am not usually a big fan). Some of the splash pages are so truly mesmerising that I would happily hang them on the wall and admire them for hours. There is very little text in the whole story. This just adds to its beauty, allowing you to focus on the magnificent artwork even more, letting it tell the story. The fact that the humans are drawn with less care and detail highlights the relative innocence of these poor creatures. Quite a feat as in parts of this book they are ultra violent.

I have never read such a warm story by Grant Morrison. You get to see a whole other side to him here. One I hope he lets out again soon. Maybe not for everyone but I loved it. 5 stars