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The Cull #1-5
The Cull Volume 1
Eisner-winning writer Kelly Thompson re-teams with superstar artist Mattia De Iulis for their first creator-owned work together!
The Cull is a dark tale about five friends setting off in the middle of the night to shoot a short film on a forbidden rock near their small coastal town the summer before they all go their separate ways. But they're not really there to shoot a film. One of them has lied. And that lie will change EVERYTHING.
Collects THE CULL #1-#5
The Cull is a dark tale about five friends setting off in the middle of the night to shoot a short film on a forbidden rock near their small coastal town the summer before they all go their separate ways. But they're not really there to shoot a film. One of them has lied. And that lie will change EVERYTHING.
Collects THE CULL #1-#5
136 pages, Paperback
First published April 23, 2024
11 people are currently reading
530 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Thompson
772 books1,040 followersKELLY THOMPSON has a degree in Sequential Art from The Savannah College of Art & Design. Her love of comics and superheroes have compelled her since she first discovered them as a teenager. Currently living in Portland, Oregon with her boyfriend and the two brilliant cats that run their lives, you can find Kelly all over the Internet where she is generally well liked, except where she's detested.
Kelly has published two novels - THE GIRL WHO WOULD BE KING (2012) and STORYKILLER (2014) and the graphic novel HEART IN A BOX from Dark Horse Comics (2015). She's currently writing ROGUE & GAMBIT, HAWKEYE, and PHASMA for Marvel Comics and GHOSTBUSTERS for IDW. Other major credits include: A-Force, Captain Marvel & The Carol Corps, Jem and The Holograms, Misfits, Power Rangers Pink, and the creator-owned mini-series Mega Princess.
Kelly's ambitions are eclipsed only by her desire to exist entirely in pajamas. Fortunately pajamas and writers go hand in hand (most of the time). Please buy all her stuff so that she can buy (and wear) more pajamas.
Kelly has published two novels - THE GIRL WHO WOULD BE KING (2012) and STORYKILLER (2014) and the graphic novel HEART IN A BOX from Dark Horse Comics (2015). She's currently writing ROGUE & GAMBIT, HAWKEYE, and PHASMA for Marvel Comics and GHOSTBUSTERS for IDW. Other major credits include: A-Force, Captain Marvel & The Carol Corps, Jem and The Holograms, Misfits, Power Rangers Pink, and the creator-owned mini-series Mega Princess.
Kelly's ambitions are eclipsed only by her desire to exist entirely in pajamas. Fortunately pajamas and writers go hand in hand (most of the time). Please buy all her stuff so that she can buy (and wear) more pajamas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 204 reviews
February 21, 2024
Okay, this is my JAM. I don’t want to give anything away, so I will keep this brief. The illustrations are phenomenal, the story is compelling and darkly mysterious, and I.WANT.MORE.NOW.
4.25 stars.
I received an eARC in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics!
Look for this in April!
4.25 stars.
I received an eARC in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics!
Look for this in April!
June 5, 2025
Kelly Thompson's graphic novel "The Cull" is a well-written science fiction-fantasy thriller for, and featuring, young adults that manages to reference a myriad of disparate sources such as the TV show "Lost" and "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" while still managing to be believeable.
What truly makes this a stand-out piece of work is the absolutely gorgeous artwork by Mattia de Iulis. It is truly transcendent art, especially for a comic book series.
Looking forward to more of this series.
What truly makes this a stand-out piece of work is the absolutely gorgeous artwork by Mattia de Iulis. It is truly transcendent art, especially for a comic book series.
Looking forward to more of this series.
May 13, 2024
'Isn't a wormhole just in space?'
'Nerd.'
HOLY SHIT, THAT ENDINGGGG?! I want more right now, like it's just rude to end it on such a point that's extremely my shit. 😭
Kelly Thompson has done it again, though. The Cull has everything going for it from queer characters to a tightknit group of friends to a mystery tying them all together that sets off a chain of ~very interesting events. But I'd say it's best to discover it all on your own because it's such a reveal. However, the way it's all setup, be warned that you will be left with more questions than answers.
As for characters, Wade is easily my fave but you really just gotta go from their interactions with each other since there's not much of a background to them. We know Cleo and Kaite are together, Will and Wade are twins and Lux is going through a tough time at home with her mom. That said, I do have high hopes from the story going forward because it seems like we're only just starting.
As for the art, who could have known a pink sky and sea could be that stunning?! I want more of that art. It's just so pleasing to the eye and fucking gorgeous! Plus, all the greens and blues come together so beautifully. The art here is clearly telling a story of its own and it's amazing.
'Nerd.'
HOLY SHIT, THAT ENDINGGGG?! I want more right now, like it's just rude to end it on such a point that's extremely my shit. 😭
Kelly Thompson has done it again, though. The Cull has everything going for it from queer characters to a tightknit group of friends to a mystery tying them all together that sets off a chain of ~very interesting events. But I'd say it's best to discover it all on your own because it's such a reveal. However, the way it's all setup, be warned that you will be left with more questions than answers.
As for characters, Wade is easily my fave but you really just gotta go from their interactions with each other since there's not much of a background to them. We know Cleo and Kaite are together, Will and Wade are twins and Lux is going through a tough time at home with her mom. That said, I do have high hopes from the story going forward because it seems like we're only just starting.
As for the art, who could have known a pink sky and sea could be that stunning?! I want more of that art. It's just so pleasing to the eye and fucking gorgeous! Plus, all the greens and blues come together so beautifully. The art here is clearly telling a story of its own and it's amazing.
March 3, 2024
This Is a classic case of "I don't really know what story I want to tell, so I will just put all the things I like inside and it will probably work with above average art." And you know, it almost does, but it wastes a lot of time building tension and emotion around things that are not properly explained, then shifts gears randomly from Lovecraftian fantasy to X-Men, to a sort of Sentai/Kaiju battle at the end and... yeah, that's it.
All in all, it seems like a lot of wasted effort on something that could have been much better with some restraint.
All in all, it seems like a lot of wasted effort on something that could have been much better with some restraint.
February 24, 2024
This was the first five volumes in The Cull graphic novel series and I really liked it. It kept my interest and I really want to read more.
July 19, 2024
Hasty and contrived, "The Cull" borrows elements from better multiverse stories but doesn't offer anything new to distinguish it.
Writer Kelly Thompson does kick things off with some baseline characterization for our teenage crew. A group of friends is trying to shoot a movie in the wake of personal tragedy for one of the members. But things go off the rails pretty quickly, and we end up shifting over to a magical dimension.
Unfortunately, coherent motivations and pacing don't make the trip. Characters act totally randomly, senselessly sparking drama while speaking in a generic Gen Z patois. Our group gets powers and blasts around for a bit before Voltron-ing together to defeat some generic bad-guy construct. But it seems carelessly constructed with manipulative usage of suicide, addiction and abuse, to boot.
The art by Mattia de Iulis isn't to my taste either. It feels stiff and overly posed, offering a series of Deviant Art-style pin-ups instead of a narrative approach to visual storytelling. If the concept intrigues you, my advice would be to give "Paper Girls" a shot instead.
Writer Kelly Thompson does kick things off with some baseline characterization for our teenage crew. A group of friends is trying to shoot a movie in the wake of personal tragedy for one of the members. But things go off the rails pretty quickly, and we end up shifting over to a magical dimension.
Unfortunately, coherent motivations and pacing don't make the trip. Characters act totally randomly, senselessly sparking drama while speaking in a generic Gen Z patois. Our group gets powers and blasts around for a bit before Voltron-ing together to defeat some generic bad-guy construct. But it seems carelessly constructed with manipulative usage of suicide, addiction and abuse, to boot.
The art by Mattia de Iulis isn't to my taste either. It feels stiff and overly posed, offering a series of Deviant Art-style pin-ups instead of a narrative approach to visual storytelling. If the concept intrigues you, my advice would be to give "Paper Girls" a shot instead.
February 18, 2024
Woh! This was great! A little bit Stranger Things, and a little bit Paper Girls. With a dash of Annihilation.
A teenage girl and her friend group go searching in the giant rocks at her local beach for her missing brother. But they find something more wondrous…and potentially horrific.
Kelly Thompson is the best. I love her characters and her dialogue. And the art is fantastic! Mattia de Iulis’ art is so cool and I love the heavy greens and blues in the colors.
This is a gorgeous book and a fun read.
A teenage girl and her friend group go searching in the giant rocks at her local beach for her missing brother. But they find something more wondrous…and potentially horrific.
Kelly Thompson is the best. I love her characters and her dialogue. And the art is fantastic! Mattia de Iulis’ art is so cool and I love the heavy greens and blues in the colors.
This is a gorgeous book and a fun read.
June 6, 2024
I really liked this. It was different than I expected and intriguing in all of its many surprising plot points.
June 9, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for the advanced copy.
Obsessed. I need more of this immediately.
One of the things I love most about Image is that they give a lot of opportunities for character work in their indie titles, unafraid of writers being wordy or trying new things. Typically art and writing in a comic compliment each other, because as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, and so the script for a comic doesn't necessarily need paragraphs of narration or dialogue but I think The Cull benefits from its characters wordiness since the art panels need to do the heavy lifting of setting for a sci-fi/fantasy/horror comic. The art is telling a lot of story all on its own.
Kelly Thompson's The Cull is one part cosmic horror, one part superhero origin story, with a hell of a twist in issue 5 that you start to suspect but don't want to be true. Each character feels like a real, unique, fleshed out person. We're drip fed bits and pieces, though we'd don't get enough time with everyone since this is just the first five issues, but we get enough to know them and want to know more.
Mattia de Iulis's art is STUNNING. Like, these books are so gorgeous. The art waivers between photorealism and surreal almost-photorealism, which is perfect for a story about liminal spaces. It makes everything feel very dreamlike but with a veil of uncanny valley vibes. I also highly recommend checking out all the various covers for each issues because WOW. Like I want some of these framed.
But the end of the volume I was dying for more. I need to continue following these kids' adventures. I need to know they're OK. I need to know more about the liminal space. It's all so beautiful and fascinating and I cannot wait to see where Thompson takes it all.
ETA June 2025 - I reached out to the writer, Kelly Thompson, to ask about the future of this series and she says it's entirely up to Image but they're currently uninterested.... NAAAUUURRR I need more of this though! It ends on a cliff hanger! I'm so sad.
Obsessed. I need more of this immediately.
One of the things I love most about Image is that they give a lot of opportunities for character work in their indie titles, unafraid of writers being wordy or trying new things. Typically art and writing in a comic compliment each other, because as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, and so the script for a comic doesn't necessarily need paragraphs of narration or dialogue but I think The Cull benefits from its characters wordiness since the art panels need to do the heavy lifting of setting for a sci-fi/fantasy/horror comic. The art is telling a lot of story all on its own.
Kelly Thompson's The Cull is one part cosmic horror, one part superhero origin story, with a hell of a twist in issue 5 that you start to suspect but don't want to be true. Each character feels like a real, unique, fleshed out person. We're drip fed bits and pieces, though we'd don't get enough time with everyone since this is just the first five issues, but we get enough to know them and want to know more.
Mattia de Iulis's art is STUNNING. Like, these books are so gorgeous. The art waivers between photorealism and surreal almost-photorealism, which is perfect for a story about liminal spaces. It makes everything feel very dreamlike but with a veil of uncanny valley vibes. I also highly recommend checking out all the various covers for each issues because WOW. Like I want some of these framed.
But the end of the volume I was dying for more. I need to continue following these kids' adventures. I need to know they're OK. I need to know more about the liminal space. It's all so beautiful and fascinating and I cannot wait to see where Thompson takes it all.
ETA June 2025 - I reached out to the writer, Kelly Thompson, to ask about the future of this series and she says it's entirely up to Image but they're currently uninterested.... NAAAUUURRR I need more of this though! It ends on a cliff hanger! I'm so sad.
March 6, 2024
There is a lot of talking in this story, but not much doing. The plot spends a lot of time having characters talking to one another, but nothing is truly explained. It throws multiple interesting new concepts while also using a lot of commonplace tropes, while nothing is truly explained. The cast of characters is diverse in their appearances, but they feel a bit flat as people. You learn small bits about these characters during long exposition conversations, but it feels unnatural. It's so obvious it's meant to be exposition for "character building". I do like the overall plot idea! Weird portals, magical powers, crazy aliens. But the plot flies by so fast and with so little substance, that you're left with the feeling of "Okay that's something I've read." I will admit though, the ending got me. I didn't fully expect that cliffhanger. I would pick up the next volume, the story did well enough to interest me in seeing how it ends. But I don't think I'd buy a copy for my shelves, you know? Also, the art style I really did not vibe with. No hate towards photo-realistic art styles, but it just does not work here. I didn't realize the characters were meant to be teenagers until I reread the plot blurb. How they're drawn makes them look like they're in their late twenties! The art style also does not look like an art style at all, it looks more like someone used real photos and slapped a "painting" filter on. The kicker is that some of the art on the variant covers would have worked so much better for this story!
Also, my one gripe is the completely random [spice] scene, between two of the teens. Like, what was the point of that? Are you trying to imply the confident curvy girl who is a redhead HAS to also be promiscuous? That trope is SO tired, come on now.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
Also, my one gripe is the completely random [spice] scene, between two of the teens. Like, what was the point of that? Are you trying to imply the confident curvy girl who is a redhead HAS to also be promiscuous? That trope is SO tired, come on now.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
February 22, 2025
Destaca el estilo de dibujo, me ha parecido muy bueno, la trama, sin ser nada del otro mundo, me ha gustado y me deja con ganas de saber cómo continúa la historia
May 12, 2024
3.5 stars. For whatever reason, I just couldn’t find myself pulled into this book like I wanted to be. I don’t think I’m a big fan of the more realistic looking art, but regardless, I’m along for the ride with this story and I am intrigued to see what will happen next.
June 10, 2024
3.6 ⭐️ Creatures, friendship, and mystery.
This was a good read if you’re looking for something that has similar feels to comics like Paper Girls. It’s very eerie and sci-fi based with a lot of adventure.
It follows a group of friends who stumble into an odd dimension when looking for one of their missing siblings and from there things tumble into the unexpected.
I did enjoy this, I felt like the story was clear and fast paced.
But there were definitely things I wasn’t as keen on. The artwork feels very IMVU. Like that early 2000s games aesthetic and I wasn’t sure how to feel about it.
Then the other thing I was baffled about was the random sex scene. Whilst their ages aren’t discussed I assumed them to be in their late teens. It also didn’t add anything to the story and felt pretty random.
I did enjoy the casual sapphic rep and discussions surrounding mental health however. I think the rep was handled brilliantly.
Rep// Sapphic MC who has depression & self harms, Black Sapphic MC, BIPOC MC’s. Relationships featured are WLW & WLM.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy to honestly review!
TW’s listed below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.
TW// alcoholic family member, brief mentions of abuse, consistent themes of: depression, self harm (off page), cutting (off page) and scars (on page), brief sex scene, missing sibling.
This was a good read if you’re looking for something that has similar feels to comics like Paper Girls. It’s very eerie and sci-fi based with a lot of adventure.
It follows a group of friends who stumble into an odd dimension when looking for one of their missing siblings and from there things tumble into the unexpected.
I did enjoy this, I felt like the story was clear and fast paced.
But there were definitely things I wasn’t as keen on. The artwork feels very IMVU. Like that early 2000s games aesthetic and I wasn’t sure how to feel about it.
Then the other thing I was baffled about was the random sex scene. Whilst their ages aren’t discussed I assumed them to be in their late teens. It also didn’t add anything to the story and felt pretty random.
I did enjoy the casual sapphic rep and discussions surrounding mental health however. I think the rep was handled brilliantly.
Rep// Sapphic MC who has depression & self harms, Black Sapphic MC, BIPOC MC’s. Relationships featured are WLW & WLM.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy to honestly review!
TW’s listed below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.
TW// alcoholic family member, brief mentions of abuse, consistent themes of: depression, self harm (off page), cutting (off page) and scars (on page), brief sex scene, missing sibling.
March 16, 2025
I finished this two days ago and haven't been able to stop thinking about it. For about 24 hours after reading the last page I kept desperately searching online for some information about future issues; after issue #1, I thought that this would be a comic I'd gladly go to the comic book store for. But unfortunately it looks like this was all there is of this story, which kind of works. I loved every moment of this beautiful, tense, heartfelt series. I barely got to spend any time with the characters, but feel like I understand them anyway. A real gem that I just happened upon at the library, and I'm so glad I did.
March 16, 2024
Thank you to Image Comics and NetGalley for providing a copy of this ARC in an exchange for an honest review. TW: self harm, abuse, death, and, violence, The art on this was mind blowing! It is one of the most hyper-realistic art styles I’ve seen in a graphic novel to date. I think this would be perfect for fans of Stranger Things. Overall, a strong and interesting start to a new series. Very excited to see the next volumes come out and to learn more about this world.
August 4, 2024
Impressive artwork with a very mysterious premise. The deeper you go, the stranger it gets. And then that epic kaiju moment. Everything is so unpredictable, but I enjoyed the ride !
December 11, 2024
Necesito más de esta historia y no puedo esperar.
Si buscáis ciencia ficción del estilo de Green Class (recomendadisima también) esto es justo lo que necesitáis.
Si buscáis ciencia ficción del estilo de Green Class (recomendadisima también) esto es justo lo que necesitáis.
May 31, 2024
4.5
Mentre cercavo l’ultimo numero di Something Is Killing The Children, che può essere considerato un unicorno data la rarità con cui è reperibile in libreria, mi sono imbattuta in un’altra uscita di Edizioni BD. E chi sono io per dire di no?
Sarò sincera: l’iper realismo delle tavole mi ha stranita non poco, al punto che non ero nemmeno sicura che mi sarebbe piaciuto. E invece…
Sì, ci vuole un po’ per fare il callo, ma la fatica di calmare il cervello iper stimolato non è sprecata. Anche se lo strabismo alle volte colpisce male a causa delle pagine stampate sdoppiate.
Come sempre, posso riassumervi la trama in una riga: Stranger Things incontra i Power Ranger e fanno cose senza protezioni.
Il che dovrebbe essere inserito nell’ABC della sopravvivenza: non fare cose strane in un mondo alieno senza prima essere protetti. Le basi, insomma!
Ridendo e scherzando la storia è semplice ma funzionale e lascia spazio a molteplici possibilità. I nostri teenagers protagonisti hanno i loro drammi non da poco che avranno il giusto peso nella narrazione e ognuno di loro ha una personalità ben distinta, tanto che è facile entrare in sintonia con il gruppo.
Tuttavia sono stranita da come Wade riesca ad analizzare ogni cosa centrandola in pieno manco avesse un catalogo del multiverso nel cervello. Sa un po’ da deus ex machina… così come altre cose che sistemano altrettante cose, ma dettagli.
Per quel che mi riguarda, la mia preferita è Lux.
Tornando alla questione del multiverso, mostri e contorni posso dire solo questo: wow… adoro l’inventiva. Per non parlare del design della flora e fauna xenomorfa!
E devo anche aggiungere che l’uso del colore è stato perfetto, sancendo i toni di quello che avveniva nella scena e creando sempre la giusta atmosfera. Bacio dello chef.
Nel complesso sono contenta di averlo recuperato e non vedo l’ora di leggere il secondo capitolo, dato il finale illegale. Se amate le graphic novel con mostri e realtà parallele, non potete mancare questa uscita.
Mentre cercavo l’ultimo numero di Something Is Killing The Children, che può essere considerato un unicorno data la rarità con cui è reperibile in libreria, mi sono imbattuta in un’altra uscita di Edizioni BD. E chi sono io per dire di no?
Sarò sincera: l’iper realismo delle tavole mi ha stranita non poco, al punto che non ero nemmeno sicura che mi sarebbe piaciuto. E invece…
Sì, ci vuole un po’ per fare il callo, ma la fatica di calmare il cervello iper stimolato non è sprecata. Anche se lo strabismo alle volte colpisce male a causa delle pagine stampate sdoppiate.
Come sempre, posso riassumervi la trama in una riga: Stranger Things incontra i Power Ranger e fanno cose senza protezioni.
Il che dovrebbe essere inserito nell’ABC della sopravvivenza: non fare cose strane in un mondo alieno senza prima essere protetti. Le basi, insomma!
Ridendo e scherzando la storia è semplice ma funzionale e lascia spazio a molteplici possibilità. I nostri teenagers protagonisti hanno i loro drammi non da poco che avranno il giusto peso nella narrazione e ognuno di loro ha una personalità ben distinta, tanto che è facile entrare in sintonia con il gruppo.
Tuttavia sono stranita da come Wade riesca ad analizzare ogni cosa centrandola in pieno manco avesse un catalogo del multiverso nel cervello. Sa un po’ da deus ex machina… così come altre cose che sistemano altrettante cose, ma dettagli.
Per quel che mi riguarda, la mia preferita è Lux.
Tornando alla questione del multiverso, mostri e contorni posso dire solo questo: wow… adoro l’inventiva. Per non parlare del design della flora e fauna xenomorfa!
E devo anche aggiungere che l’uso del colore è stato perfetto, sancendo i toni di quello che avveniva nella scena e creando sempre la giusta atmosfera. Bacio dello chef.
Nel complesso sono contenta di averlo recuperato e non vedo l’ora di leggere il secondo capitolo, dato il finale illegale. Se amate le graphic novel con mostri e realtà parallele, non potete mancare questa uscita.
February 22, 2024
Rating: ☆☆
Netgalley Review:
Wow, if you want a read that has absolutely everything than this is the book for you. From self harm to LGBTQ to Superpowers to alternate Earths. It has everything. Which i think is its biggest fault. Too much stuff makes you lose track of, and waters down, the main plot.
Second thing i'd mention is that It moves quick. Which on its own isn't necessarily a bad thing. I've read books that I'd say are "quick reads" because they move fast and can be read fast, but the story makes sense and wraps up real nice. This one though is super quick and tries to touch on every possible subject along the way.
I feel like the story itself could be interesting, but then in the middle of the story all of the sudden a random social, orientation, family issue is thrown in. If not that then suddenly some crazy fantasy twist happens. By the end of the first volume I was expecting absolutely anything to happen on that last page.
Hopefully in later volumes they'll be pulled together and it will make sense, but as of right now with only 1 volume released it seems disjoint, and rushed.
Netgalley Review:
Wow, if you want a read that has absolutely everything than this is the book for you. From self harm to LGBTQ to Superpowers to alternate Earths. It has everything. Which i think is its biggest fault. Too much stuff makes you lose track of, and waters down, the main plot.
Second thing i'd mention is that It moves quick. Which on its own isn't necessarily a bad thing. I've read books that I'd say are "quick reads" because they move fast and can be read fast, but the story makes sense and wraps up real nice. This one though is super quick and tries to touch on every possible subject along the way.
I feel like the story itself could be interesting, but then in the middle of the story all of the sudden a random social, orientation, family issue is thrown in. If not that then suddenly some crazy fantasy twist happens. By the end of the first volume I was expecting absolutely anything to happen on that last page.
Hopefully in later volumes they'll be pulled together and it will make sense, but as of right now with only 1 volume released it seems disjoint, and rushed.
October 31, 2024
Kinda muddled and pointless. Our five characters go out one night to make a film in a cave because... the light will be good at dawn? And they find their way to a liminal world. So two characters weep in each others arms. Two disrobe and get down. Someone videos something. There's a talking red panda that might be a God. Super powers arrive in the nick of time and make no sense. Other stuff happens. Cliff-ish hanger.
I wanted a powerful story. Expected a "Stranger Things" with older characters in different dimensions. There was plenty of plot but not much believable sinew connecting the tissues. I was annoyed by the characters, that it was tricky to parse out who-was-who for the first half.
Probably won't be getting the sequel.
I wanted a powerful story. Expected a "Stranger Things" with older characters in different dimensions. There was plenty of plot but not much believable sinew connecting the tissues. I was annoyed by the characters, that it was tricky to parse out who-was-who for the first half.
Probably won't be getting the sequel.
February 28, 2024
Unexpectedly gentle and emotional sci-fi tale that feels like it's maybe doing a bit too much with its worldbuilding and, oh, right, also turns out to be "Volume 1, to be continued".
February 27, 2024
Останній раз коли ми говорили про творчість Келлі Томпсон це була серія "Black Cloak". З того часу від неї встигла вийти серія "The Cull". Тож давайте дізнаємося чи вдалося Томпсон вкотре видати годноту.
Історія "The Cull" розпочинається з того, що група підлітків вирушає на пляж посеред ночі, щоб зняти фільм. Однак виявляється, що дівчина яка всіх їх зібрала обдурила й насправді вона зібрала їх для того, щоб вони допомогли їй знайти брата в одному загадковому місці. Що за загадкове місце? Лімінальний простір.
На початку серія дуже інтригує й рішення щодо сетинґу мене порадувало, все-таки лімінальний простір зараз дуже популярний. Однак дуже жаль, що проводимо ми в цьому місці всього два номери. Ага, пошуки брата Клео по суті зводяться до того, що група приходить на найближчий острів дещо дізнається про це місце, отримує здібності та втікає назад додому від місцевої живності. В останніх же двох номерах група воз'єднується зі своєю родиною, дізнаються, що сталося з містом та розбираються з монстром який потрапив у місто.
Як я розумію"The Cull" анонсився як лімітка з п'яти номерів, яка може продовжитися, якщо буде успішною і от це обмеження в п'ять номерів, як на мене дуже сильно скувало авторку яка засунула в ці п'ять номерів ідеї, які б спокійно могли йти всі 8, а той більше й від цього стали тільки кращими. В результаті деякі моменти в основному проговорюються, або пролітають аж занадто швидко. Щодо персонажів то тут теж все не дуже однозначно, вони вроді й непогані та мають свої характери, але я так і не зміг проникнутися ними, як, наприклад тією ж Фаедрою з "Black Cloak".
А тепер до двох найбільших слонів у цій серії попри яких просто не можна пройти. Здібності які отримують наші герої з одного боку досить цікаве рішення, яке показує на те як впливає лімінальний простір на людей, але Боже, як же я ржав коли під кінець все звелося до кульмінації взятої прямо з пересічної серії Могутніх Рейнджерів. Ну і другим слоном є кінцівка яка закінчується на дуже жирному кліфгенґері.
Якщо говорити за малюнок, то він тут просто розкішний. Арт Матіа де Луіза це те заради чого цю серію варто відкривати. Взагалі це не перша спільна робота, художника з Келлі Томпсон, вони вже разом працювали над серію про Джесіку Джонс.
Загалом "The Cull" вийшов дуже неоднозначною серією для мене, незважаючи на мої претензії місцевий малюнок та деякі елементи історії мені дуже сподобалися. Я загалом можу порадити прочитати цю серію, але вона найслабша з того, що я читав від Томпсон.
Історія "The Cull" розпочинається з того, що група підлітків вирушає на пляж посеред ночі, щоб зняти фільм. Однак виявляється, що дівчина яка всіх їх зібрала обдурила й насправді вона зібрала їх для того, щоб вони допомогли їй знайти брата в одному загадковому місці. Що за загадкове місце? Лімінальний простір.
На початку серія дуже інтригує й рішення щодо сетинґу мене порадувало, все-таки лімінальний простір зараз дуже популярний. Однак дуже жаль, що проводимо ми в цьому місці всього два номери. Ага, пошуки брата Клео по суті зводяться до того, що група приходить на найближчий острів дещо дізнається про це місце, отримує здібності та втікає назад додому від місцевої живності. В останніх же двох номерах група воз'єднується зі своєю родиною, дізнаються, що сталося з містом та розбираються з монстром який потрапив у місто.
Як я розумію"The Cull" анонсився як лімітка з п'яти номерів, яка може продовжитися, якщо буде успішною і от це обмеження в п'ять номерів, як на мене дуже сильно скувало авторку яка засунула в ці п'ять номерів ідеї, які б спокійно могли йти всі 8, а той більше й від цього стали тільки кращими. В результаті деякі моменти в основному проговорюються, або пролітають аж занадто швидко. Щодо персонажів то тут теж все не дуже однозначно, вони вроді й непогані та мають свої характери, але я так і не зміг проникнутися ними, як, наприклад тією ж Фаедрою з "Black Cloak".
А тепер до двох найбільших слонів у цій серії попри яких просто не можна пройти. Здібності які отримують наші герої з одного боку досить цікаве рішення, яке показує на те як впливає лімінальний простір на людей, але Боже, як же я ржав коли під кінець все звелося до кульмінації взятої прямо з пересічної серії Могутніх Рейнджерів. Ну і другим слоном є кінцівка яка закінчується на дуже жирному кліфгенґері.
Якщо говорити за малюнок, то він тут просто розкішний. Арт Матіа де Луіза це те заради чого цю серію варто відкривати. Взагалі це не перша спільна робота, художника з Келлі Томпсон, вони вже разом працювали над серію про Джесіку Джонс.
Загалом "The Cull" вийшов дуже неоднозначною серією для мене, незважаючи на мої претензії місцевий малюнок та деякі елементи історії мені дуже сподобалися. Я загалом можу порадити прочитати цю серію, але вона найслабша з того, що я читав від Томпсон.
April 1, 2024
I’m honestly kind of perplexed by Kelly Thompson’s The Cull. It’s not that I think the story was bad or anything, in fact I was actually really interested in the ideas that she ways playing with here. I just don’t know how well they all came together in the end.
I don’t know if this is due to the format—oftentimes, I find myself stuck on similar complaints with graphic novels that are trying to tell a story you’d expect to see in a novel. But, I’ve also had the fortune to have found a great many graphic novels that don’t suffer from this problem, so I know there’s a way to make it work. The issue, you see, is that The Cull is trying to stuff so much into this first volume that there are too many questions left unanswered, far too much of the story overall is convoluted, and the emotional payout you expect from the situations these characters are dealing with is not properly portrayed.
Everything just moves far too quickly for any of those pieces to come together and, unfortunately, those pieces are precisely what the story needs connected in order to be good. I always felt right on the cusp—right on the cusp of feeling connected to these characters, right on the cusp of feeling the emotions they felt in their journey, right on the cusp of understanding what was happening—and that does not lead your reader to connecting with or loving your story.
So, all in all, this was a good effort. But it just wasn’t quite enough. The pieces were there, they just needed to be tied together more efficiently.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I don’t know if this is due to the format—oftentimes, I find myself stuck on similar complaints with graphic novels that are trying to tell a story you’d expect to see in a novel. But, I’ve also had the fortune to have found a great many graphic novels that don’t suffer from this problem, so I know there’s a way to make it work. The issue, you see, is that The Cull is trying to stuff so much into this first volume that there are too many questions left unanswered, far too much of the story overall is convoluted, and the emotional payout you expect from the situations these characters are dealing with is not properly portrayed.
Everything just moves far too quickly for any of those pieces to come together and, unfortunately, those pieces are precisely what the story needs connected in order to be good. I always felt right on the cusp—right on the cusp of feeling connected to these characters, right on the cusp of feeling the emotions they felt in their journey, right on the cusp of understanding what was happening—and that does not lead your reader to connecting with or loving your story.
So, all in all, this was a good effort. But it just wasn’t quite enough. The pieces were there, they just needed to be tied together more efficiently.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 2, 2025
At once silly and trope-friendly teen fair and a compelling new science fiction vision. I liked more of The Cull than I didn't, and I especially liked the photorealistic art. I found myself pausing over gorgeous pages, admiring characters' vibrant expressions that somehow avoided the uncanny valley.
The story: a band of teens head into a shoreline cave in the dead of night to film a movie and find a portal to another world. Things get even weirder from there (). There are some surprising elements and some groan-worthy predictable elements ("hey, we've been in this weird alien world for like two hours, nothing makes sense, maybe it's time for the two of us to bone in the woods?").
The character work helps elevate some of the sillier storytelling. And there's a decent (if unsurprising) twist at the end that makes me intrigued for the next volume.
The story: a band of teens head into a shoreline cave in the dead of night to film a movie and find a portal to another world. Things get even weirder from there (). There are some surprising elements and some groan-worthy predictable elements ("hey, we've been in this weird alien world for like two hours, nothing makes sense, maybe it's time for the two of us to bone in the woods?").
The character work helps elevate some of the sillier storytelling. And there's a decent (if unsurprising) twist at the end that makes me intrigued for the next volume.
February 27, 2024
Cleo's brother goes missing in a cave system, and she gathers her friends to investigate and shoot a short film to help her out. But the group is unknowingly led into a dangerous journey and have to band together to save themselves and their loved ones. I am a fan of Kelly Thompson's works (and I highly recommend Black Cloak for people wanting a fantasy noir comic) and The Cull did not disappoint. Mattia De Iulis art is amazing, with such realistic details it makes the more fantastical elements feel incredibly grounded. The five issue arc creates five distinct characters with their own damage and desires and Thompson makes it easy to distinguish the characters before the group faces even larger issues. The development of the group over the course of the story is fun to watch and it all leads to a very satisfying climax, beautifully drawn by De Iulis. A great new work in the genre of "teens take on a big sci-fi mystery" that I hope gets to continue.
Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for a copy of The Cull in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for a copy of The Cull in exchange for an honest review.
June 2, 2024
Kelly Thompson is always hit or miss for me. The artwork here is incredible. Very cinematic. The story started off interesting but I am not feeling any particular way to where this story went, it lost some of its spark. It was a lot of "action". Also had some cheesy moments where in cliche fashion the group gathers to do something they couldn't do alone. I really did like the visuals of the volume and the ending felt rushed but it still packs something of a decent punch. Not sure if that will ever be followed up on though.
July 1, 2024
‘The Cull Volume One’ by Kelly Thompson with art by Mattia de Iulis is a graphic novel that blends horror and adventure.
Five friends set out to shoot a nighttime movie. When they find a strange alternate world, they are filled with wonder, but that changes as things take a dark turn. They flee home only to find it, and themselves forever changed.
It’s an intriguing story with interesting characters and an intriguing premise. It feels a bit rushed at the end, but I’d gladly continue reading. The art is good with clean lines and colors.
Five friends set out to shoot a nighttime movie. When they find a strange alternate world, they are filled with wonder, but that changes as things take a dark turn. They flee home only to find it, and themselves forever changed.
It’s an intriguing story with interesting characters and an intriguing premise. It feels a bit rushed at the end, but I’d gladly continue reading. The art is good with clean lines and colors.
May 7, 2024
The Cull follows five friends as they enter a cave in the middle of the night to shoot a film and emerge in another world.
Beautiful art and a very engaging story. The friend group feel rich and real and the story is one that feels like it would work well in any visual format but I'm glad that it's in graphic novel form.
The reveal at the end had me hooked and makes me want to seek out further issues so I can continue.
Beautiful art and a very engaging story. The friend group feel rich and real and the story is one that feels like it would work well in any visual format but I'm glad that it's in graphic novel form.
The reveal at the end had me hooked and makes me want to seek out further issues so I can continue.
March 19, 2024
3.5 * rounded down
The art was captivating, especially the color palette. The story was interesting but I felt it was a bit too rushed at certain parts. Overall an okay read with gorgeous art.
Thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for granting me access in exchange for an honest review.
The art was captivating, especially the color palette. The story was interesting but I felt it was a bit too rushed at certain parts. Overall an okay read with gorgeous art.
Thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for granting me access in exchange for an honest review.
October 22, 2024
I really enjoyed this one. It grabbed my attention right away and the characters are interesting and sympathetic. I didn't know what to expect from the storyline but I am definitely invested. Has kind of a journey to the center of the earth feel at the beginning and then things get wild from there. Looking forward to reading more.
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