We3
WE3 tells the unforgettable story of three innocent petsa dog, a cat and a rabbitwho have been converted into deadly cyborgs by a sinister military weapons program. With nervous systems amplified to match their terrifying mechanical exoskeletons, the members of Animal Weapon 3 have the firepower of a battalion between them. But they are just the programs prototypes and, now that their testing is complete, theyre slated to be permanently decommissioned” until they seize their one chance to make a desperate run for freedom! Relentlessly pursued by their makers, the WE3 team must navigate a frightening and confusing world where their instincts and heightened abilities make them as much a threat as those hunting thembut a world, nonetheless, in which there is something called Home. Action-packed and heart-wrenching, WE3 is a new high mark from two of comics greatest talents.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Exceeds all expectations from panel 1 on
I’ve read a lot of comics over the years, and I tend to read mostly “mature” and can be one of those pseudo snobs who only reads certain writers etc…
We3 blew me away from the first page on. This is quite possibly the most emotional chapter 1 of any graphic novel I’ve read. It’s not just the writing or the plot, the way the art is laid out, the panels are cinematic, only better than any film I’ve seen in 10 years.
The pages go from set up panels to 2 page blow out impact scenes in a flawless and awe inspiring manner. What is shown, what is alluded to, it flows so brilliantly.
I am almost upset that We3 is a 1 shot and the bar was set so high it’ makes it rough to read anything of lower quality and originality.
This could be one of the finest graphic novels ever created.
Unless you are a huge Marvel only guy or someone who hates violence in books or doesn’t like pets, I can’t think of any other type of comic fan who would not enjoy it.
4 Stars Excellent story, just a little too short.
The art is beautiful, the story is great, the whole thing is very engaging and moving. My only complaint is that it is over a little too quickly for my tastes . . .
5 Stars Wow.
Grant Morrison, We3 (Vertigo, 2005)
I can’t remember the last time a graphic novel made me cry. We3 had me bawling like a schoolgirl finding out the Backstreet Boys had broken up. Morrison’s tale of three altered animals (a dog, a cat, and a rabbit) trying to figure out what to do (and how to avoid the forces hunting them) after being freed from their armed forces research facility on the verge of their being decommissioned is heart-rending, and Frank Quitely’s artwork is, if anything, stronger than the story itself; the emotions the characters show belie their rudimentary speaking abilities. Morrison and Quitely have packed an incredible amount of emotion into a very short story. Easily one of the best books I’ve read this year, and perhaps the best so far. *****
5 Stars Grant Morrison’s most human story… and its about animals
Grant Morrison is best known for his complicated stories rife with insanely original concepts and ultra-cool dialogue you can’t find anywhere else. We3, however, is simply a story of three animals trying to find their way home. While, admittedly, the animals are cased in millions of dollars worth of military hardware, all of that is secondary to the very simple, very heartfelt storyline reminiscent of the old family classic, “Homeward Bound.” Add a little “Robocop” and a strong animal rights undercurrent to the mix and you have We3. Despite, or maybe because of, its simplicity, We3 is one of Morrison’s most accessible stories. Frank Quitely’s page designs are both cinematic and inventive and his pencils evoke strong emotion, particularly in the sad eyes of Bandit, the canine leader of the group. We3 is an instant classic and a prime example of Morrison and Quitely’s legendary partnership.
5 Stars Great Story–Excellent Art
A nice modern fable while violent is also piognant. Grant Morrison captures the “inhuman-ness” of man while connecting the reader to the feelings of animals. The art done by Frank Quitley is very detailed and sensitive. He manages to capture the horror of violence while drawing the reader into the hearts of three unfortunate creatures being used for a new kind of warfare.
The story revolves around three escaped animals who were bred, altered and surgically enhanced with machines to become ultimate killing soldiers. The idea of letting animals fight the wars of men (surrogate soldiers) becomes a metaphor of animal abuse and the horror/folly of war (violence of man).
I bought this for my son to read. It’s a bit visceral, so I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone under 13.
Filed under: Comic Book Reviews