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Wildfire #1-4
Wildfire: Volume 1
Is genetically modified food an end to world hunger - or a first class ticket to the apocalypse? Dan Miller is a plant biologist working with a small team perfecting an accelerated plant growth process. When things go wrong, Los Angeles pays the price in a disaster story unlike any before!
128 pages, Paperback
First published November 25, 2014
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95 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 15, 2020
An extremely heavy-handed story about the evils of genetically modified crops. I actually agree with Hawkins but this is extremely preachy and boring. The story is told through info drop after info drop, mainly through news reports. If there's one thing that is never exciting in comics, it's news reports. Even Frank Miller couldn't make that work in The Dark Knight Returns. This is the most boring disaster movie story you'll probably ever come across.
December 19, 2015
Dr Dan Miller is a plant biologist working with a small team on perfecting an accelerated plant growth process. But something goes wrong during a live experiment and soon the whole city of Los Angeles is in peril and the disaster is spreading over the US...
This graphic novel shows what could happen if something goes wrong when you tamper with mother nature. The problem for me was that I was never really drawn into the story. It's a serious subject...but I just didn't get hooked with the story or the characters. It was an ok read, nothing more. Perhaps I would have liked it better if the art has been more appealing, but it was kind of meh! You know not that good but not that bad.
2.5 stars
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
This graphic novel shows what could happen if something goes wrong when you tamper with mother nature. The problem for me was that I was never really drawn into the story. It's a serious subject...but I just didn't get hooked with the story or the characters. It was an ok read, nothing more. Perhaps I would have liked it better if the art has been more appealing, but it was kind of meh! You know not that good but not that bad.
2.5 stars
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
January 13, 2015
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Interesting story about the potential loss of control in GMO crops, in this case, dandelions in Los Angeles. Through rapid mutation, the new crop of weeds destroy the city's infrastructure and kill thousands. Farfetched? Perhaps.
The part I found most intriguing was the final dozen or so pages that presented both sides of the genetically-modified food argument. I liked that better than the story itself, but I'm an information and data junkie to the extreme.
Interesting story about the potential loss of control in GMO crops, in this case, dandelions in Los Angeles. Through rapid mutation, the new crop of weeds destroy the city's infrastructure and kill thousands. Farfetched? Perhaps.
The part I found most intriguing was the final dozen or so pages that presented both sides of the genetically-modified food argument. I liked that better than the story itself, but I'm an information and data junkie to the extreme.
March 13, 2015
4.5*
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A live experiment, used to show the benefits of accelerating plant growth, goes disastrously wrong when plant spore make their way to downtown L.A. The subsequent plants spread and grow at an alarming rate, causing widespread damage and fatalities, it is up to plant biologist, Dan Miller, to try and stop the plantlife before it completely destroys L.A.
I loved this, I thought the story was really engaging and takes a swipe at the practises of big corporations and the ethics they operate under. The characters also really make this story and most of them are fleshed out well.
Art wise this was fantastic, the panels are lush, crisp and perfectly suited to the storyline. All in all it was absolutely gorgeous to look at. Highly recommended.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A live experiment, used to show the benefits of accelerating plant growth, goes disastrously wrong when plant spore make their way to downtown L.A. The subsequent plants spread and grow at an alarming rate, causing widespread damage and fatalities, it is up to plant biologist, Dan Miller, to try and stop the plantlife before it completely destroys L.A.
I loved this, I thought the story was really engaging and takes a swipe at the practises of big corporations and the ethics they operate under. The characters also really make this story and most of them are fleshed out well.
Art wise this was fantastic, the panels are lush, crisp and perfectly suited to the storyline. All in all it was absolutely gorgeous to look at. Highly recommended.
December 27, 2014
Might be more like 2 and a half stars (if I could assign half stars). This graphic novel reads more like a science debate at times and could really stand to be a bit less didactic in its approach. Writer Hawkins says in an afterword that he's developing this story as a potential screenplay and I could see elements of The Andromeda Strain and even the 1970s Earthquake (in SenSurround!) in the story, but it never really grabbed me the way a good comic should. The story follows what happens when a genetically-modified strain of dandelion is accidentally unleashed on Los Angeles and the chaos and disruption that follows. This particular plant has been modified to be fast-growing, a potential solution to the world's hunger problems (if the enzyme or whatever were applied to food plants). But it hasn't been tested and it gets out into the environment, where it proceeds to mutate further and pretty soon, all the plants, even trees and massive underground root systems, are going haywire, leading to the city burning down, the freeways collapsing, etc. And the government solution to all of this? Firebomb everything into oblivion if a solution isn't found by a certain deadline (so there's that old "ticking clock" in the background). Characters are rather dull, little more than mouthpieces for different sides in the debate. The artwork is serviceable, but little more than that. This could use some more work to be really memorable.
September 23, 2019
While the story focuses on fairly believable facts about genetic engineering, there is also plenty of time dedicated to the human element. The city-wide tragedy affects many thousands of lives and, in true action movie style, it relies on the man responsible for it to find a solution. Very much like in such a movie, there is no real bad guy, just a force of nature that must be dealt with. It's a lesson that doesn't really say that genetic engineering is good or bad, but highlights the importance of respecting this powerful tool that can heal, ensure progress and feed, but also destroy and kill. Too bad the sequel wasn't published.
The debate is ongoing between supporters of genetically engineered food - GE food - and those of organic food. Dr. Beth Silva is for GE food and is engaged in researching the next crop that may solve world hunger. During a televised show she lets slip that her research has already borne fruit, even though it's far from it and the plants decay soon after reaching maturity. Now her team must present their results publicly for the first time in order to keep their funding. Their demonstration is disrupted by a pro-organic activist. He tips over the testing device, breaking it and unleashing the modified plant seeds into the world.
The debate is ongoing between supporters of genetically engineered food - GE food - and those of organic food. Dr. Beth Silva is for GE food and is engaged in researching the next crop that may solve world hunger. During a televised show she lets slip that her research has already borne fruit, even though it's far from it and the plants decay soon after reaching maturity. Now her team must present their results publicly for the first time in order to keep their funding. Their demonstration is disrupted by a pro-organic activist. He tips over the testing device, breaking it and unleashing the modified plant seeds into the world.
March 30, 2019
Eh....
February 19, 2020
Here we have the dangers of genetically-modified plants pushed to the edge of implausibility with the magic wand of sci-fi thriller storytelling.
A team working on fast-growing plants gives a demonstration that is disrupted by protesters, accidentally unleashing speed-growing dandelions which take over Los Angeles in a matter of days. A wildfire breaks out, fueled by all the extra fast-growing weeds... which is when it really gets out of hand. The government is thinking about nuking L.A. in order to save the rest of the country.
This is a solid SF thriller that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible to make its point about unintended consequences.
I’m all about science and I’m a skeptic which, combined with my natural conservatism, leads me to give GMO plants the side-eye. I see their great potential, but humanity doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to managing wildlife. Also, and most terrifyingly, we don’t fully understand how the genetics works. When it comes to DNA we are children learning to walk who have just been given the nuclear launch codes.
In his usual “science class” section at the end of the book where he shows his homework — something I really like about Hawkins’ books — he says that after doing the research for this tale he went from being pro-GMO to being a skeptic. I think that’s the only reasonable position to take. After all, we’re talking about the food supply; aside from water and air it doesn’t get more basic than that. We screw up crops and we all die. That’s makes it incumbent on us to get it right, which means moving slowly.
It’s bad enough in America where GMOs are allowed to be patented and monopolized with minimal government oversight, but in places like China they are inserting genes into plants that come from other species — including animals and insects — and planting crops by the millions without even giving them a full growing season to test them. They do the splice, make sure they’re viable, then plant away.
Even if they don’t cause a runaway catastrophe as depicted in this comic, it’s entirely possible they will homogenize entire crops, meaning that a disease can rip through them and cause most of the food to fail. Bad enough when that happens to bananas; if it occurs in staple crops like rice, beans or corn, then tens of millions of people will starve to death. And it’s not like hungry people quietly accept their fate. They riot and loot and murder and burn entire cities to the ground in their desire to feed themselves and their children.
And I mean, c’mon, China can’t even make *toys* that aren’t toxic. They make so many of our medications now with literally zero oversight, and we get reports every week about how their shortcuts are poisoning people. Does anyone really think they’ll do their due diligence when it comes to inserting scorpion DNA into cabbage? (That’s real. They did that. Then planted them everywhere.)
Me, I’m a “better safe than sorry” kind of guy, a phrase Hawkins also uses in his afterword. We really need to get this right, just in case.
I’d give this a higher rating except that it tested my credulity a bit, and he takes shortcuts by having characters explain their relationship to each other, something that no one ever does in real life. One guy tells his 15-year-old sister that ever since their mom died he’s been raising her. Pretty sure she’d already know that. That’s an unusual lapse in his writing, so I’m deducting points for that sort of thing.
The art is good, and gets the job done, but some of it is a bit overwrought with panel borders heavily underscoring moments of surprise or shock with their jagged edges. That’s a style thing, but I think it’s best to just let the pictures do the storytelling.
A team working on fast-growing plants gives a demonstration that is disrupted by protesters, accidentally unleashing speed-growing dandelions which take over Los Angeles in a matter of days. A wildfire breaks out, fueled by all the extra fast-growing weeds... which is when it really gets out of hand. The government is thinking about nuking L.A. in order to save the rest of the country.
This is a solid SF thriller that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible to make its point about unintended consequences.
I’m all about science and I’m a skeptic which, combined with my natural conservatism, leads me to give GMO plants the side-eye. I see their great potential, but humanity doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to managing wildlife. Also, and most terrifyingly, we don’t fully understand how the genetics works. When it comes to DNA we are children learning to walk who have just been given the nuclear launch codes.
In his usual “science class” section at the end of the book where he shows his homework — something I really like about Hawkins’ books — he says that after doing the research for this tale he went from being pro-GMO to being a skeptic. I think that’s the only reasonable position to take. After all, we’re talking about the food supply; aside from water and air it doesn’t get more basic than that. We screw up crops and we all die. That’s makes it incumbent on us to get it right, which means moving slowly.
It’s bad enough in America where GMOs are allowed to be patented and monopolized with minimal government oversight, but in places like China they are inserting genes into plants that come from other species — including animals and insects — and planting crops by the millions without even giving them a full growing season to test them. They do the splice, make sure they’re viable, then plant away.
Even if they don’t cause a runaway catastrophe as depicted in this comic, it’s entirely possible they will homogenize entire crops, meaning that a disease can rip through them and cause most of the food to fail. Bad enough when that happens to bananas; if it occurs in staple crops like rice, beans or corn, then tens of millions of people will starve to death. And it’s not like hungry people quietly accept their fate. They riot and loot and murder and burn entire cities to the ground in their desire to feed themselves and their children.
And I mean, c’mon, China can’t even make *toys* that aren’t toxic. They make so many of our medications now with literally zero oversight, and we get reports every week about how their shortcuts are poisoning people. Does anyone really think they’ll do their due diligence when it comes to inserting scorpion DNA into cabbage? (That’s real. They did that. Then planted them everywhere.)
Me, I’m a “better safe than sorry” kind of guy, a phrase Hawkins also uses in his afterword. We really need to get this right, just in case.
I’d give this a higher rating except that it tested my credulity a bit, and he takes shortcuts by having characters explain their relationship to each other, something that no one ever does in real life. One guy tells his 15-year-old sister that ever since their mom died he’s been raising her. Pretty sure she’d already know that. That’s an unusual lapse in his writing, so I’m deducting points for that sort of thing.
The art is good, and gets the job done, but some of it is a bit overwrought with panel borders heavily underscoring moments of surprise or shock with their jagged edges. That’s a style thing, but I think it’s best to just let the pictures do the storytelling.
December 23, 2014
If disaster movie mogul Irwin Allen were alive today, he might be telling an over the top story like 'Wildfire Volume 1.' It's the kind of mega-scale disaster and character motivation I remember.
Dan Miller is a plant biologist with seemingly good intentions: to accelerate plant growth so that food crops can feed an overpopulated world. When he is forced to change his experiment under corporate pressure, things go awry. The city of Los Angeles finds itself under siege. As newscasters fight to compete for the story, Dan just wants to find his younger sister. The government wants to find Dan because he may hold the key. Meanwhile, the city continues to find itself in a strange new world.
As I said, it's quite overboard, but fun. Every issues starts with quotes about genetically modifying food. At first there are pro and con arguments, but these eventually give way to just con. Matt Hawkins gives pages of articles at the end of the graphic novel. He states that he's approaching this story from a neutral stance, but that's not how it appears. The story itself is not preachy, but some of the supplemental material feels that way. I was less impressed with the art. It's not a style I'm particularly fond of. Overall, destruction good, preachy documentation less good, art only so-so.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, Image Comics, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Dan Miller is a plant biologist with seemingly good intentions: to accelerate plant growth so that food crops can feed an overpopulated world. When he is forced to change his experiment under corporate pressure, things go awry. The city of Los Angeles finds itself under siege. As newscasters fight to compete for the story, Dan just wants to find his younger sister. The government wants to find Dan because he may hold the key. Meanwhile, the city continues to find itself in a strange new world.
As I said, it's quite overboard, but fun. Every issues starts with quotes about genetically modifying food. At first there are pro and con arguments, but these eventually give way to just con. Matt Hawkins gives pages of articles at the end of the graphic novel. He states that he's approaching this story from a neutral stance, but that's not how it appears. The story itself is not preachy, but some of the supplemental material feels that way. I was less impressed with the art. It's not a style I'm particularly fond of. Overall, destruction good, preachy documentation less good, art only so-so.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, Image Comics, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
December 15, 2014
*Book source ~ A review copy was provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Dr. Dan Miller is a plant biologist working for a company trying to accelerate plant growth in an effort to relieve world hunger. However, when a demonstration for the press results in unintended and unexpected consequences, the city of L.A. goes up in flames. It’s up to Dan to find a solution before the whole world burns.
This story appealed to me because I’ve been hearing about GMO foods for awhile now. I like the spin this novel takes on what could happen, but then I like apocalyptic-type books. Watching L.A. go up in flames and the possible emergency response is definitely interesting and the story held my attention. Dan is a small cog in a big machine, but people are counting on him and he has to step up. He does a good job holding it together for a peon suddenly in the spotlight. The illustrations are fantastic and the information at the end helpful. All-in-all an entertaining graphic novel.
Dr. Dan Miller is a plant biologist working for a company trying to accelerate plant growth in an effort to relieve world hunger. However, when a demonstration for the press results in unintended and unexpected consequences, the city of L.A. goes up in flames. It’s up to Dan to find a solution before the whole world burns.
This story appealed to me because I’ve been hearing about GMO foods for awhile now. I like the spin this novel takes on what could happen, but then I like apocalyptic-type books. Watching L.A. go up in flames and the possible emergency response is definitely interesting and the story held my attention. Dan is a small cog in a big machine, but people are counting on him and he has to step up. He does a good job holding it together for a peon suddenly in the spotlight. The illustrations are fantastic and the information at the end helpful. All-in-all an entertaining graphic novel.
December 21, 2014
I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
So, somebody doesn't like the idea of GMOs. This book is basically just a missive against GMOs. The characters lack development, and it was hard to care about any of them. The art style was interesting, but the whole thing just fell flat to me. And a sequel about genetically modified insects? Ugh.
So, somebody doesn't like the idea of GMOs. This book is basically just a missive against GMOs. The characters lack development, and it was hard to care about any of them. The art style was interesting, but the whole thing just fell flat to me. And a sequel about genetically modified insects? Ugh.
January 17, 2017
Decent little book about what happens when weeds take over LA (not kidding) and it is actually done pretty well. I may pick up the next volume but we will see.
June 6, 2020
2.5 stars
This review is based on an ARC ebook received for free from NetGalley. I am not being paid to review this book and what I write here is my own opinion. My rating scale is below.
review
Scientists attempting to genetically modify a plant to grow very, very quickly on limited resources while navigating interpersonal relationships and external pressures from anti-GMO groups as well as their own funders. When the project lead publicly over-promises, emergency measures to support her claims result in unforeseen, catastrophic consequences.
The writing in this comic is good. I appreciate that the time-consuming nature of scientific research is stressed in this comic. I also enjoyed the parallel stories being told: Dan, Violet, and Michelle. They provide good coverage of the events as well as offering interesting characters to relate to. That said, it reads a little heavy-handed on the anti-GMO bias, but writers are allowed to have opinions, too, and Hawkins claims he was trying to provide even coverage.
It would work wonderfully as the background to a larger story set some time after everything has gone up in the conflagration. I kind of wondered while reading if that’s where it was eventually heading. After finishing the book, however, and the many pages of background information provided by writer Matt Hawkins on GMOs, natural disasters, journalism, and a host of other topics, it is clear that he made an effort as a writer to avoid any narration and will likewise probably not be interested in extending the series beyond an exploration of related topics. The next volume, apparently, is going to be about insects. I shudder.
Linda Sejic’s art is very good. The backgrounds are well-done, adding depth and information to the characters without distracting from the action in the fore, and the characters themselves are all distinctly depicted in an expressive, realistic style. Some of the characters look a good deal like ones readers might recognize from her other comics, but that’s not an issue for me. I enjoy her art.
Since my library seems to have copies of these comics, I will probably end up reading whatever else was written in this series, but I have a feeling it wasn’t a long run. Slice of life disaster comics seem like they’d have a pretty limited audience, even though it’s almost exactly like what people flock to movie theaters to watch. I would probably watch a movie of this comic and, like I said, I’ll read whatever sequels my library can get me.
rating scale
1 star - I was barely able to finish it. I didn't like it.
2 stars - It was okay. I didn't dislike it.
3 stars - It was interesting. I liked it.
4 stars - It was excellent. I really liked it.
5 stars - It was extraordinary. I really hope the author wrote more things.
This review is based on an ARC ebook received for free from NetGalley. I am not being paid to review this book and what I write here is my own opinion. My rating scale is below.
review
Scientists attempting to genetically modify a plant to grow very, very quickly on limited resources while navigating interpersonal relationships and external pressures from anti-GMO groups as well as their own funders. When the project lead publicly over-promises, emergency measures to support her claims result in unforeseen, catastrophic consequences.
The writing in this comic is good. I appreciate that the time-consuming nature of scientific research is stressed in this comic. I also enjoyed the parallel stories being told: Dan, Violet, and Michelle. They provide good coverage of the events as well as offering interesting characters to relate to. That said, it reads a little heavy-handed on the anti-GMO bias, but writers are allowed to have opinions, too, and Hawkins claims he was trying to provide even coverage.
It would work wonderfully as the background to a larger story set some time after everything has gone up in the conflagration. I kind of wondered while reading if that’s where it was eventually heading. After finishing the book, however, and the many pages of background information provided by writer Matt Hawkins on GMOs, natural disasters, journalism, and a host of other topics, it is clear that he made an effort as a writer to avoid any narration and will likewise probably not be interested in extending the series beyond an exploration of related topics. The next volume, apparently, is going to be about insects. I shudder.
Linda Sejic’s art is very good. The backgrounds are well-done, adding depth and information to the characters without distracting from the action in the fore, and the characters themselves are all distinctly depicted in an expressive, realistic style. Some of the characters look a good deal like ones readers might recognize from her other comics, but that’s not an issue for me. I enjoy her art.
Since my library seems to have copies of these comics, I will probably end up reading whatever else was written in this series, but I have a feeling it wasn’t a long run. Slice of life disaster comics seem like they’d have a pretty limited audience, even though it’s almost exactly like what people flock to movie theaters to watch. I would probably watch a movie of this comic and, like I said, I’ll read whatever sequels my library can get me.
rating scale
1 star - I was barely able to finish it. I didn't like it.
2 stars - It was okay. I didn't dislike it.
3 stars - It was interesting. I liked it.
4 stars - It was excellent. I really liked it.
5 stars - It was extraordinary. I really hope the author wrote more things.
January 5, 2018
A good What if scenario when Genetically Altered Seeds go awry and grow out of control and take down all of LA, threatening to spread globally. In the nick of time, the Illustrious doctor scientist find a cure. The graphic novel supplies great resources and links at the end for researching for and against GMO products. This would be a great way for students to learn about this still hotly debated topic.
February 2, 2022
Preachy and stupid. GMOs are not as black and white as the comic implies and there is no "super-science" mumbo jumbo that can make plants mature in a few minutes. The scenario presented in the comic is mind-numblingly stupid.
And speaking of GMOs; the choice is simple: either we somehow reduce or global population, or we use GMO crops to feed people. This is of course not a catch-all solution, something that the writer of this comic probably fails to realize.
And speaking of GMOs; the choice is simple: either we somehow reduce or global population, or we use GMO crops to feed people. This is of course not a catch-all solution, something that the writer of this comic probably fails to realize.
January 30, 2024
I tried to give this graphic novel a shot because of the artist (creator of Punderworld and Blood Stain). At first it was really interesting. Genetically mutated plants that grew at exponential speeds...sounded like something I could get into. But after a few pages, things just started to get weirdly technical and even for a more scientifically inclined mind it was too much for me. I'm definitely not saying it's not a bad story, it's just not one for me.
July 1, 2018
It started very promising: the tension between GMO-scientists and anti-GMO-activists, the drive to showcase results by the former and the willingness to prevent that by any means possible by the latter, but it ended up as a plain vanilla disaster comic ... GMOs ARE DANGEROUS duh!
I expected better from Matt Hawkins, especially after having read Think Tank. Wildfire is definitely not in the same league
I expected better from Matt Hawkins, especially after having read Think Tank. Wildfire is definitely not in the same league
July 11, 2019
Pretty good story that moves well, but the use of the story as a vehicle for GMO debate was too obvious too often. The art was crisp and appropriate — I liked it. Worth a read if you don’t mind a serious subject being handled in a somewhat sensationalistic way.
July 20, 2021
I liked it, but not enough character development.
'Sorry your mom died'? OMG so that's how you are not supposed to communicate the death of a family member ._.
Besides that, it's fun.
'Sorry your mom died'? OMG so that's how you are not supposed to communicate the death of a family member ._.
Besides that, it's fun.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2025
This was an okay read. I enjoyed the Biology aspects of it, but the characters did feel a bit dull.
February 26, 2015
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 4.25 of 5
There are a great number of similarities between a graphic novel story and a story written for other visual mediums such as film and theatre. Now I don't know a lot about film, but I do know a little something about theatre and playwriting. I have, taped above my desk, a series of "I believe..." quotes from one of my favorite playwriting books. Those quotes include:
"I believe in strong stories with strong characters who want and need and act."
"I believe in protagonists, antagonists, goals and obstacles."
"I believe in dramatic tension and suspense."
"I believe all good plays contain character/conflict/action/ideas."
And because I recognize the similarities between graphic novels and theatre scripts, I tend to hold graphic novel stories to the same standards as a play script. In the case of Wildfire, written by Matt Hawkins, the story holds up very well and although sci-fi it holds such an incredible foothold in reality that it is a little scary.
If you lived in farm country, or have ever driven by a sizeable farm, you've seen the signs from laboratories that are providing the farmers with fertilizers or pest controls (or both). Wildfire imagines if some laboratory is experimenting with a special growth hormone for food to rapidly speed up the growth process in order to plant and harvest on a much quicker scale in order to be able to plant and harvest more food to feed our too-rapidly growing population.
But what happens if that hormone spreads to the crops that we DON'T want? Dandelions. Poison ivy. Poison oak. Crab grass. Etc etc etc. We can sometimes become so focussed on a goal that we fail to see the other, dangerous, possibilities.
Hawkins' story moves quickly and is full of characters 'who want and need to act.' We don't spend a lot of time sitting around and contemplating the effects, as writers often like to do -- debate the pros and cons -- but we jump right in to goals and obstacles with a lot of dramatic tension and suspense.
In case you can't tell ... I really like this story. It's well paced (if anything...it's a touch too fast) and extremely topical.
The art, by Linda Sejic, works nicely for the book. It is not the super-realistic, 3D style of many books, but much more like the comic book art of the 1970's and '80's. And for someone like myself, who grew up with those books, it was very comfortable.
Looking for a good book? Wildfire, Volume 1 is a graphic novel that works well on many levels and should appeal to readers who've never read a graphic novel before as well as fans of the genre.
I received an electronic version of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
There are a great number of similarities between a graphic novel story and a story written for other visual mediums such as film and theatre. Now I don't know a lot about film, but I do know a little something about theatre and playwriting. I have, taped above my desk, a series of "I believe..." quotes from one of my favorite playwriting books. Those quotes include:
"I believe in strong stories with strong characters who want and need and act."
"I believe in protagonists, antagonists, goals and obstacles."
"I believe in dramatic tension and suspense."
"I believe all good plays contain character/conflict/action/ideas."
And because I recognize the similarities between graphic novels and theatre scripts, I tend to hold graphic novel stories to the same standards as a play script. In the case of Wildfire, written by Matt Hawkins, the story holds up very well and although sci-fi it holds such an incredible foothold in reality that it is a little scary.
If you lived in farm country, or have ever driven by a sizeable farm, you've seen the signs from laboratories that are providing the farmers with fertilizers or pest controls (or both). Wildfire imagines if some laboratory is experimenting with a special growth hormone for food to rapidly speed up the growth process in order to plant and harvest on a much quicker scale in order to be able to plant and harvest more food to feed our too-rapidly growing population.
But what happens if that hormone spreads to the crops that we DON'T want? Dandelions. Poison ivy. Poison oak. Crab grass. Etc etc etc. We can sometimes become so focussed on a goal that we fail to see the other, dangerous, possibilities.
Hawkins' story moves quickly and is full of characters 'who want and need to act.' We don't spend a lot of time sitting around and contemplating the effects, as writers often like to do -- debate the pros and cons -- but we jump right in to goals and obstacles with a lot of dramatic tension and suspense.
In case you can't tell ... I really like this story. It's well paced (if anything...it's a touch too fast) and extremely topical.
The art, by Linda Sejic, works nicely for the book. It is not the super-realistic, 3D style of many books, but much more like the comic book art of the 1970's and '80's. And for someone like myself, who grew up with those books, it was very comfortable.
Looking for a good book? Wildfire, Volume 1 is a graphic novel that works well on many levels and should appeal to readers who've never read a graphic novel before as well as fans of the genre.
I received an electronic version of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
May 29, 2015
Estuve tentado de ponerle dos estrellas, pero me gustaría que salieran más comics como este. Y espero que hayan más autores como Matt Hawkins.
Matt Hawkins es el autor de Think Tank, comics que traen ciencia de verdad al medio. O al menos lo intentan. Comics que tocan temas conflictivos, como los transgénicos en este caso, y lo hacen de manera responsable e informada (o al menos más responsable e informada que el clásico link de Facebook).
La premisa es estupenda, el tema es interesante, pero la ejecución... dista de ser buena.
El problema de trabajar con ciencia contemporanea, es que nos volvemos mucho más críticos con lo que es posible y con lo que no lo es. Así que no puedes cometer errores, y este comic se pega varias estiradas de improbabilidad. .
Al igual que en Think Tank los comentarios al final del comic son tanto o más interesantes que el comic en si.
La historia también se pega varias estiradas improbables con los personajes. Haciendo que actuen de manera bastante sospechosa de vez en cuando.
El arte de Linda Sejic es bueno en su mayor parte, pero hay algunas partes donde no pude evitar decepcionarme. Estoy acostumbrado a su arte de BloodStain, el cual me agrada mucho más.
En resumen, se siente como la pelicula 2012 pero con plantas fuera de control.
Matt Hawkins es el autor de Think Tank, comics que traen ciencia de verdad al medio. O al menos lo intentan. Comics que tocan temas conflictivos, como los transgénicos en este caso, y lo hacen de manera responsable e informada (o al menos más responsable e informada que el clásico link de Facebook).
La premisa es estupenda, el tema es interesante, pero la ejecución... dista de ser buena.
El problema de trabajar con ciencia contemporanea, es que nos volvemos mucho más críticos con lo que es posible y con lo que no lo es. Así que no puedes cometer errores, y este comic se pega varias estiradas de improbabilidad. .
Al igual que en Think Tank los comentarios al final del comic son tanto o más interesantes que el comic en si.
La historia también se pega varias estiradas improbables con los personajes. Haciendo que actuen de manera bastante sospechosa de vez en cuando.
El arte de Linda Sejic es bueno en su mayor parte, pero hay algunas partes donde no pude evitar decepcionarme. Estoy acostumbrado a su arte de BloodStain, el cual me agrada mucho más.
En resumen, se siente como la pelicula 2012 pero con plantas fuera de control.
January 11, 2015
To start with, this is a beautiful graphic novel. The images look like they're digitally airbrushed, and go some ways towards having photorealism. Characters are on the whole strong, the dynamics of the images are full-on, and I really liked the many creative ways the margins of the images were broken up – characters shouting a sound level into the gutter, drama breaking the frames up all over the shop, etc. There's something of the full-on if not the realism about the plot, where one car crash and a second disaster lead to a perfect storm for Los Angeles and the city is laid waste. The book is definitely an 'issue' one – there're even pointed things about the power and purpose of journalism thrust on things as a side-plot – and the book comes with a hefty dollop of science fact and discussion after the story ends. But as a dramatization of what could happen at the worst of times with GMO food crops, it serves. It is a comic after all, and you have to expect the exaggerated. Here the personal movements of some of the characters are exaggerated to the point of silliness, and the circumstantial worn a little heavily, and the ending is just awfully underplayed. But there is a lot to be said for the book – it can grip the reader, it looks great to repeat, and it does show the drama in a mature and generally sensible way. It will probably only preach to the converted, but it will entertain, for sure.
March 14, 2015
Wildfire, written by Matt Hawkins and illustrated by Linda Sejic, takes a look at the potential risks that untested GMO crops could have on the environment.
Dr Dan Miller is one of a team working to perfect the crops when a few seeds of modified dandelion are accidentally released into the atmosphere. Chaos, fires, general destruction ensues.
I don’t really have too much to say about this comic, it isn’t bad but it isn’t good. It isn’t boring but it isn’t exciting either. That isn’t just limited to the writing though, the artwork was alright but I wasn’t blown away (and if you’ve seen my comic pull list you’d understand that I expect to get blown away by comic art now).
The characters were alright but I didn’t feel any positive or negative feelings about the life or death situations they might find themselves in. Other than one character who is intentionally set up to be annoying and die (the writer admits that at the end).
I think the biggest problem with this comic is that I just really didn’t care about the characters. None of this has anything to do with any of my ideas on GMO food because it isn’t an area I really know much about (my bad), I just think the characters lacked something that involved me or made me feel anything.
Dr Dan Miller is one of a team working to perfect the crops when a few seeds of modified dandelion are accidentally released into the atmosphere. Chaos, fires, general destruction ensues.
I don’t really have too much to say about this comic, it isn’t bad but it isn’t good. It isn’t boring but it isn’t exciting either. That isn’t just limited to the writing though, the artwork was alright but I wasn’t blown away (and if you’ve seen my comic pull list you’d understand that I expect to get blown away by comic art now).
The characters were alright but I didn’t feel any positive or negative feelings about the life or death situations they might find themselves in. Other than one character who is intentionally set up to be annoying and die (the writer admits that at the end).
I think the biggest problem with this comic is that I just really didn’t care about the characters. None of this has anything to do with any of my ideas on GMO food because it isn’t an area I really know much about (my bad), I just think the characters lacked something that involved me or made me feel anything.
December 11, 2014
Wildfire was a graphic novel I stumbled across as a recommendation in my email. As soon as I read the premise I knew this was one I'd have to read. While the story of Wildfire might be fictionalized, The battle over GMO's and the corporations who push them on the public is something very real. Even though Wildfire is meant to be read as Science Fiction I couldn't help but think how something like this could happen as more and more Genetically Modified seeds make there way into the general population.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I really enjoyed Wildfire and have no complaints about it. The story was fast paced, the characters well developed and the plot steeped in reality. Honestly, I couldn't ask for much more in a Graphic Novel. If you like Science Fiction, then pick this one up for sure. I can't wait to read the next one in the series especially because it looks like the bugs this time will be affected.
With that being said, I'll be rating Wildfire Vol. 1 by Matt Hawkins ★★★★.
*Copy provided for review by Netgalley. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated in an which way for providing them.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I really enjoyed Wildfire and have no complaints about it. The story was fast paced, the characters well developed and the plot steeped in reality. Honestly, I couldn't ask for much more in a Graphic Novel. If you like Science Fiction, then pick this one up for sure. I can't wait to read the next one in the series especially because it looks like the bugs this time will be affected.
With that being said, I'll be rating Wildfire Vol. 1 by Matt Hawkins ★★★★.
*Copy provided for review by Netgalley. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated in an which way for providing them.
March 18, 2015
Such a great read. This is an important time in comics and books like this prove it. It's great the movies are putting a light on comics, because it allows for great books like this to get noticed and made in a convoluted community (not a complaint, bring as many as you can i say).
While the story satisfies the comic geek in me, the "Science Class" makes the political, education hungry side of me satsified.
The characters are well thought out, the premise of the story is well researched and put together in a believable way. Matt has been writing some amazing comics for the past few years (since i really started following his work) and this ranks right up there with Think Tank (my current favorite comic, once its back on the racks).
If you want to be informed, made to think and entertained, look no further than Wildfire. Great art. Fun and educational story.
I haven't made the time to jump on here recently, but i really wanted to put a quick review on this in hopes someone else that has an interest in GMO foods, regardless of which side of the fence they are on, knows about this book.
While the story satisfies the comic geek in me, the "Science Class" makes the political, education hungry side of me satsified.
The characters are well thought out, the premise of the story is well researched and put together in a believable way. Matt has been writing some amazing comics for the past few years (since i really started following his work) and this ranks right up there with Think Tank (my current favorite comic, once its back on the racks).
If you want to be informed, made to think and entertained, look no further than Wildfire. Great art. Fun and educational story.
I haven't made the time to jump on here recently, but i really wanted to put a quick review on this in hopes someone else that has an interest in GMO foods, regardless of which side of the fence they are on, knows about this book.
December 30, 2014
Outstanding graphic novel taking a "what if" scenario on genetic modification. I appreciated that the author didn't preach any political agenda and also that he didn't feel the need to throw in gratuitous sex scenes, naked people, and profanity, as seems to be the norm in any graphic novel these days. The story has more than enough action and interest to keep readers engaged, and the illustrations -- wow! Stunning, and some of the scenes were so realistic that they could have been photographs. The panels of the Hollywood hills on fire will definitely stay with readers.
A super cool feature of the book is at the end, the author has included tons of information on GMOs, its science and history, U.S. emergency response teams, and loads of links for readers to educate themselves. I look forward to the sequel coming out. . . just when you thought it was safe again!! I recommend this book for young adults and older.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me a free eBook copy in exchange for my honest review -- the only kind I give.
A super cool feature of the book is at the end, the author has included tons of information on GMOs, its science and history, U.S. emergency response teams, and loads of links for readers to educate themselves. I look forward to the sequel coming out. . . just when you thought it was safe again!! I recommend this book for young adults and older.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me a free eBook copy in exchange for my honest review -- the only kind I give.
January 18, 2015
As the world become overpopulated, food supplies are dwindling and scientists are exploring ways to genetically speed the rate food can grow. Unfortunately, one experiment goes awry and Los Angles is soon engulfed in quickly growing plant life and a scared human population.
It likes reading a storyboard of the infamous 70s disaster movies and I loved it. The artwork was superb and the story was interesting enough to enjoy. The author certainly has a strong point of view about GMOs and it shows. But get passed that, it was entertaining. After the story, there is a ‘science lesson’ on the pros and cons of GMOs which gives one food for thought.
It likes reading a storyboard of the infamous 70s disaster movies and I loved it. The artwork was superb and the story was interesting enough to enjoy. The author certainly has a strong point of view about GMOs and it shows. But get passed that, it was entertaining. After the story, there is a ‘science lesson’ on the pros and cons of GMOs which gives one food for thought.
May 7, 2015
This was a really good book, it touches on the morality of genetically modified foods and whether or not scientist consider long term effects on the environment.
In the story we follow Dr. Dan Miller and his team as they work to create a GMF that is fast growing and resistant to plague, however, during a presentation things go horribly wrong when some anti-GMF lunatic sabotages the experiment (seriously, it's always the extremist).
The art was very good and throughout it they provide pro / con arguments for GMF's. I think this series has a lot of potential and I can't wait to see what effects we'll see in the next volume.
Rating 5 out of 5
Read@Book
In the story we follow Dr. Dan Miller and his team as they work to create a GMF that is fast growing and resistant to plague, however, during a presentation things go horribly wrong when some anti-GMF lunatic sabotages the experiment (seriously, it's always the extremist).
The art was very good and throughout it they provide pro / con arguments for GMF's. I think this series has a lot of potential and I can't wait to see what effects we'll see in the next volume.
Rating 5 out of 5
Read@Book
January 6, 2015
I received an email showcasing this graphic novel and several others that caught my attention. I thought the artwork was very good and the story right out of current affairs. The GMO issue was big in out state during the November elections this time. I've always had a weakness for disaster stories whether on the screen or in print and this one lived up to the genre. I also liked the pro & con links about GMO and GE subjects along with the author Q & A at the end of the book.
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