Scrapper

Scrapper #1-6

by Cliff Bleszinski, Alex de Campi, Sandy Jarrell (Illustrator)

From the minds of games legend Cliff Bleszinski ( Fortnite , Gears of War) and bestselling writer Alex de Campi ( DRACULA, MOTHERF**KER! , PARASOCIAL ) comes an action-packed story meant for anyone who’s ever wanted to pet the dog in a video game ( don’t worry, none of the animals die).

Scrapper is a good dog, adopted by good people. Sure, he spends his nights patrolling his post-apocalyptic metropolis with his buddy Tank, protecting its citizens from the city’s totalitarian overlords, but everyone needs a hobby, right? When a catastrophe sends Scrapper’s world spiraling out of control, he will need to rally the city’s critters -- strays and undesirables -- to save both themselves and the humans all around them.

COLLECTS SCRAPPER #1-#6

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Science Fiction

160 pages, Hardcover

Published May 7, 2024

Reviews

[Alex Sarll]

Another week, another Image series about a nightmarish future city even more unequal than the present. But this pisses all over the lacklustre Terrorwar, not least because this time, the lead whose special powers give them a chance (while also making them a target) is a very good dog. Beyond that, there's just so much more thought and individuality on display here, whether in the sound effects and little nods, or the horribly plausible details like the ads telling the poor how much more dignified indenture and workers' dormitories are than the public debtors' cages. Even the villainous regime's name, S.M.I.T.E. (Special Monopoly for Industrial Tech & Engineering) is one I was amazed hadn't already been claimed at some point in the past 60 years. It's not perfect - the art isn't as comfortable with some of the other animals as the dogs, and at one point Scrapper's hair is meant to have fallen out but the colours are clearly trying to cover for the pencils having missed the memo. Still, it is a comic about a very good dog - and friends - showing runaway capitalism what for, and I'm in favour of that.

(Edelweiss ARC)

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scrapper reminded me strongly of a 90s Saturday morning cartoon, with its animal heroes and outrageous villain. An evil corporation has taken control of the city and only the animals can destroy the bad guys. Especially now that one dog hero has technological superpowers! BAM POW WHAP!

The pacing is pretty crisp and the storytelling hits all the expected beats. Scrapper isn't totally bad, and will likely be a hit with a younger audience, but it's pretty by-the-numbers for anyone who watched Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Probably more of a 2.5 stars than 3 stars, and a definite skip for anyone older than 16.

[Calvin Daniels · Rating 3 out of 5]

3+

Reminds of a simpler time in comics

[Jaxine Rivera · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first saw this comic cover at my local library I added it to my book pile right away. I love the idea of a superhero pet/ dog! We know of course superhero's dogs like Krypto and Ace for example, but another one and it focused only on their side. We are thrown in the story where it overlooks a sci-fi city where there's flying cars and bright neon lights while Scrapper is overlooks the scenery from a top the building at night (like Batman). Gentrification is happening via SMITE (Special Monopoly for Industrial Tech & Engineering) who seem to be a oppressing force.

Apparently, children and robots and other creatures understand animals, but adult cannot, which ok makes sense. I really liked Scrapper's owners and the scenes with them were so nice and OF COURSE THEY GET KILLED. I was so upset when that happened and I was surprised to see blood in the comic, but then again this is meant to be PG-13.

I will say I love the pigeons, they're so lovely stupid and my favorite is the pigeon who calls Scrapper Senpai and their first like in the comic is "Senpai notice me" XD One is constantly forgetting what is going on and another is always noticing food on the ground, which is honestly typical.

Reading Cliff's message at the end of book confirmed which his inspirations were and I'm happy to say I can see it. Don Bluth, Paw Patrol (this made me laugh), Watership Down, etc.

Overall, I enjoyed this story and it's a good short comic series that wraps itself up pretty neatly. Got a bunch of cute animals, but the art style has a Don Bluth darkness to it, but has humor sprinkled in (like the pigeons). It's a quick read and it's enjoyable.

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scrapper is a fun story that is something comics fail to do anymore. Everyone wants a serious story with a deep plot and not something that comics originally brought…laughter.

I can’t remember the last time I read a comic and laughed out loud. Scrapper reminds me of Saturday morning cartoons with his band of friends taking on crime. In this case, Scrapper is supported by cats, rats, and pigeons. His collar reminds you of Batman’s Utility Belt.

Scrapper and his friends take on the evil SMITE in a battle to save not just animals, but humans too!

The story is fast-paced and things do conveniently fit into place at times. But, the art and story are whipped together in a fun way that comics have lost over the years.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars overall
Quite an odd mix of Saturday morning cartoon plus some basic S-F social commentary which follows the adventures of Scrapper and Tank, a pair of dogs, outcasts/strays who patrol the city of New Verona looking to, well it's not exactly explained at the beginning of the book TBH, but definitely act against SMITE, the Corporation that runs the city. There's definitely some nominative determinism going on there.
Throughout the book pretty much every animal from any species can talk to each other (including us humans); it's never explained, maybe it's genetic evolution (or experimentation) but the story would not work without it, or the inter-species co-operation that feeds into the final confrontation.

A silly, but entertaining, fun read.

[LaDonna Qualtieri · Rating 3 out of 5]

The hardcover book is just the right size for comfortable handling and reading. Anthropomorphic themes appeal to me and I preordered this book. The art was sometimes great and sometimes not so great. Um, what’s up with adding a quote by Louis CK? I would not have purchased the book if I’d known. I marked it with Sharpie to cover the name even tho it bled through to a nice art page on the other side.

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dystopia starring a super powered dog. It reminded me a little of Grant Morrison's excellent We3, but it didn't have the same emotional impact. Maybe because evil organization SMITE is simply that, evil with no real explanation or goals. But I liked the characters, especially the gloriously dim pigeons.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty great graphic novel about a dog named Scrapper and his group of friends (including a raccoon) that are trying to take down the evil corporation SMITE. The author describes this as, what if Batman were a dog and I think that is the perfect way to describe this. Also, no need to worry, no animals die in this book.

[Sarah AK · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has pretty mediocre ratings, but I enjoyed it more than I expected to. Mostly because the art is RAD, and the rats made me LOL. Sure, the story is half-baked and felt rushed, but the technicolor art made my eyes happy on every page. With how awesome the art is, I'm actually surprised at what an underwhelming cover they chose...

[Xan Rooyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this. It's essentially cyberpunk Batman but if Batman were a dog and Robin were a raccoon.

It is equal parts adorable, hilarious, and dystopian. While some plot points seemed a little convenient and problems were solved too easily, this is such a fun cyber-romp with such lovely art and lovable characters, it was easy enough to suspend disbelief.

[Kurt Lorenz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of fun, if you're looking for an 80s/90s Saturday morning cartoon inspired adventure. Ryan Kelly's art was perfect; felt like you could pull a character from any scene and sell it as an action figure.

[Joey Meyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not very good. Cool concept, but the delivery is a huge miss. There are a couple of mature themes, but they don’t work since this is clearly a children’s comic. Additionally, some plot holes are quickly filled for convenience and the writing feels sloppy overall.

[Dean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read in single issues.
It was fine. I think the original artist suited the book better, I did like the second artist though.
Story was simple, easy to follow but nothing grabbed Me.

[Mee Too · Rating 3 out of 5]

this would have been a lot better if the writer had just made it a kids book.

[Belfry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actual rating: 2.5 stars

[Arman Waggoner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty cool dog story, Kinda like Blade Runner starring Balto

[Javier Campos · Rating 3 out of 5]

muy divertido pero convencional