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The Few #1-6
The Few
Dans des Etats-Unis dystopiques et rongés par un mal étrange, nous suivrons l’histoire d’une jeune femme et de son bébé, recueillis par un mystérieux groupe survivaliste et bienveillant qui semblent seuls capables de leur venir en aide.
A moins que cette main tendue ne soit en réalité un piège ? Et si tout n’était que faux-semblants ?
Planches à couper le souffle, univers riche et inédit, rebondissements permanents, The Few est un futur hit déjà en route pour une adaptation à Hollywood qui devrait faire grand bruit, par le simple fait de son originalité.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 23, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 29, 2017
Yawn, another Image book set in a dystopian future. This time the US has excommunicated the weaker states and steals any natural resources they have. Edan goes undercover to infiltrate The Few, rebels in these states that are fighting back. She's given a baby to take care of and starts to see what The Few are dealing with, eventually crossing to the other side, yada, yada, been done before a hundred times.
The story isn't bad, the art on the other hand is atrocious. It looks like blocky, scratchy doodles from the margins of a teenagers notebook. It's terrible. It along with the muted blotchy coloring made it almost impossible to follow any action scenes.
Received an advance copy from Image and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
The story isn't bad, the art on the other hand is atrocious. It looks like blocky, scratchy doodles from the margins of a teenagers notebook. It's terrible. It along with the muted blotchy coloring made it almost impossible to follow any action scenes.
Received an advance copy from Image and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
November 27, 2017
This one pains me because I read the opening and loved the words Sean Lewis was saying. He obviously has passion for this project, he worked hard to make it, and I admire that. Saying that...this didn't work for me at all.
The sketechy art brings you into a broken world. It starts off confusing and basically stays that way till the end. We have a woman protecting a baby and then gas mask people show up. Once we get past that it basically just becomes a big cat and mouse game with killers, evil people, who are mostly just nameless. Then we get into the backstory and...yeah.
Good: The idea of it.
Bad: The art is pretty bad. It's a style, but as most here have said, it's pretty awful style for this type of story. If the story itself was easier to follow and made sense I could enjoy the art. But with bad art + confusing story + weak dialog it all mixes into a big old blah. I couldn't get behind this title at all because I gave no shits about ANY character.
Overall this was pretty big disappointment. I wish I could like it more because I feel Sean was trying but I just could NOT get into it at all. I'll still check out future projects by Sean though!
The sketechy art brings you into a broken world. It starts off confusing and basically stays that way till the end. We have a woman protecting a baby and then gas mask people show up. Once we get past that it basically just becomes a big cat and mouse game with killers, evil people, who are mostly just nameless. Then we get into the backstory and...yeah.
Good: The idea of it.
Bad: The art is pretty bad. It's a style, but as most here have said, it's pretty awful style for this type of story. If the story itself was easier to follow and made sense I could enjoy the art. But with bad art + confusing story + weak dialog it all mixes into a big old blah. I couldn't get behind this title at all because I gave no shits about ANY character.
Overall this was pretty big disappointment. I wish I could like it more because I feel Sean was trying but I just could NOT get into it at all. I'll still check out future projects by Sean though!
August 17, 2017
Dystopian future comic collection – quite good despite unclear illustrations
This comic collection deals with a future in which those who have water and resources (the Palace) separate themselves from the rest of the USA. There are rebel groups who fight the system in different ways, usually violent, and Eden Hale, a Palace soldier, is thrust into the middle of it all. With unannounced flashbacks (always confusing), the story is well-told and the illustrations are far from detailed. However the collection works and is still reasonably easy to follow.
This comic collection deals with a future in which those who have water and resources (the Palace) separate themselves from the rest of the USA. There are rebel groups who fight the system in different ways, usually violent, and Eden Hale, a Palace soldier, is thrust into the middle of it all. With unannounced flashbacks (always confusing), the story is well-told and the illustrations are far from detailed. However the collection works and is still reasonably easy to follow.
December 20, 2017
"To become a utopia, you have to erase the undesirables. Do you know why, Hale?"
"Teacher says it's because weak people will bring us down. They'll always want more."
Hey, just like them Puerto Ricans, RIGHT, TRUMP??
[CONTEXT NOTE: I wrote that sentence right after Trump said that Puerto Ricans--then struggling through the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Maria--"want everything to be done for them." They'll always want more.]
Sigh. Sorry. Okay. So at some future environmentally devastated point, a bunch of red states have seceded (again) because they feel their values are being disrespected. The government of the remaining states hoards resources and wages war against the "terrorists" who fight for access to breathable air and drinkable water. A government supersoldier defects to the heroic militias and seeks redemption for all the mindless bloodshed in her past.
The Good:
Sherman's black-and-white-and-hints-of-color illustrations.
Lewis's decimated future America is fascinating.
The image of a soldier fleeing through a dying forest with a gas mask-wearing baby.
The Bad:
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON. We have the mighty government anti-"terrorist" force, and the noble militias opposing them, but who the hell is Herrod? Who are the people on motorcycles? What about the caravan of campers? Are there three factions? Four?? Everyone is wearing gas masks because the air is poisoned, but this makes it nigh impossible to tell who's who. The first sixty percent of the book is just a loss.
Also, the baby is a prop. Lewis was obviously taken with his soldier-and-baby idea for an opening hook, but it almost immediately becomes an afterthought. The baby has no notable needs and little purpose.
Three stars sliding toward two.
"Teacher says it's because weak people will bring us down. They'll always want more."
Hey, just like them Puerto Ricans, RIGHT, TRUMP??
[CONTEXT NOTE: I wrote that sentence right after Trump said that Puerto Ricans--then struggling through the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Maria--"want everything to be done for them." They'll always want more.]
Sigh. Sorry. Okay. So at some future environmentally devastated point, a bunch of red states have seceded (again) because they feel their values are being disrespected. The government of the remaining states hoards resources and wages war against the "terrorists" who fight for access to breathable air and drinkable water. A government supersoldier defects to the heroic militias and seeks redemption for all the mindless bloodshed in her past.
The Good:
Sherman's black-and-white-and-hints-of-color illustrations.
Lewis's decimated future America is fascinating.
The image of a soldier fleeing through a dying forest with a gas mask-wearing baby.
The Bad:
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON. We have the mighty government anti-"terrorist" force, and the noble militias opposing them, but who the hell is Herrod? Who are the people on motorcycles? What about the caravan of campers? Are there three factions? Four?? Everyone is wearing gas masks because the air is poisoned, but this makes it nigh impossible to tell who's who. The first sixty percent of the book is just a loss.
Also, the baby is a prop. Lewis was obviously taken with his soldier-and-baby idea for an opening hook, but it almost immediately becomes an afterthought. The baby has no notable needs and little purpose.
Three stars sliding toward two.
September 6, 2017
I finally tackled this large 6 issue opus of a world built on the ruins of destruction. The artwork was brilliant and gave this story a very indie cinematic feel. Sean Lewis has created a world that is bloody and baron, the Palace is everything we hate and cannot stand, capitalism comes to mind. The character of Hale is constantly at odds with herself and it is shown visually instead of constant word bubbles, I honestly can't remember a graphic book showing such cold lingering panel work. Image Comics might have slipped in sales over the years but the independent label continues pushing the boundaries of storytelling and helps grow the medium into something stronger and smarter than most films. I wouldn't mind another story inside this world and I think Hale is still conflicted enough to bring further visual and creative stories.
October 6, 2024
Dig the dystopian setting and the themes of redemption. But 6 double-sized issues does not feel like enough space to tell this story. Hale’s redemption feels too easy without enough hardships and a lot of the cast aren’t given enough space to develop.
June 22, 2017
This is my favourite complete comic series or graphic novel I have read so far this year. It's perfect. I feel as though it was written for me. I wish I had written it.
I'm going to ask for the bound volume for my birthday.
Below are the notes I took while reading it. Anything else I have to say would just be a repeat of what I say here.
This book is amazing. Read it.
☠
Issue 1
I really wanted to like this issue more than I did. The art is bold and raw, illustrating a violent and terrible future for a small resistance group called the Remainder States of America. Art reminded me of Sin City more than once, in the best way. It also reminded me of the sketchiness of Punk Rock Jesus (Sean Murphy). This art deserves a good story. Unfortunately, even at over forty-five pages, the story doesn't really seem started by the end. It introduces us to a Mad Max sort of motorcycle-and-chains dystopia, even including the lack of water. I appreciated the introduction of a strong female lead, and that that female lead must protect a baby. Unfortunately, not much more than what I've just described is revealed, and this isn't enough to judge. This maxi-series is clearly being written with a bound novel in mind, not individual issues.
I feel like I watched a pre-credits teaser for a movie I might like, but don't yet know if I will.
This one was enough to make me want to read the next issue, just to see if the story grabs me. If I find the story still isn't working well episodically, but that the premise remains intriguing, I will definitely still seek out the completed graphic novel, but wouldn't continue reading it.
Recommendation: This might be awesome. Wait and keep your eyes out for the graphic novel. Read the reviews for it first.
Issue 3
Okay. I'm sold. I was hesitant. Now I'm all in.
The art in this book reminds me of Sean Murphy's Punk Rock Jesus. In fact, I thought it was Sean Murphy before paying more attention to the front cover and noticing the last name. This is Sean Lewis. Never heard of him. But this is great.
Issue 4
They say a writer should write what she would want to read. This I am doing. When i came across Invisible Republic, it was closest at the time to the kind of book I wanted to write. This book is closer. This is the kind of book i want to write. This book was written for me.
Issue 5
This is a beautiful story. I love the writer's choice to trust the illustrator. The pages have so much room. The panels are drawn large. The story is told through pictures with an economy of bubbles and captions. When illustrations are expressive and done well, this is how I prefer it. These illustrations are definitely up for the storytelling demand.
Issue 6
I cried. This is the kind of catharsis and closure I'd hoped for from Punk Rock Jesus. This book reminded me of it. But it is more complex, more punk rock, and more Jesus. This is gold.
I'm going to ask for the bound volume for my birthday.
Below are the notes I took while reading it. Anything else I have to say would just be a repeat of what I say here.
This book is amazing. Read it.
☠
Issue 1
I really wanted to like this issue more than I did. The art is bold and raw, illustrating a violent and terrible future for a small resistance group called the Remainder States of America. Art reminded me of Sin City more than once, in the best way. It also reminded me of the sketchiness of Punk Rock Jesus (Sean Murphy). This art deserves a good story. Unfortunately, even at over forty-five pages, the story doesn't really seem started by the end. It introduces us to a Mad Max sort of motorcycle-and-chains dystopia, even including the lack of water. I appreciated the introduction of a strong female lead, and that that female lead must protect a baby. Unfortunately, not much more than what I've just described is revealed, and this isn't enough to judge. This maxi-series is clearly being written with a bound novel in mind, not individual issues.
I feel like I watched a pre-credits teaser for a movie I might like, but don't yet know if I will.
This one was enough to make me want to read the next issue, just to see if the story grabs me. If I find the story still isn't working well episodically, but that the premise remains intriguing, I will definitely still seek out the completed graphic novel, but wouldn't continue reading it.
Recommendation: This might be awesome. Wait and keep your eyes out for the graphic novel. Read the reviews for it first.
Issue 3
Okay. I'm sold. I was hesitant. Now I'm all in.
The art in this book reminds me of Sean Murphy's Punk Rock Jesus. In fact, I thought it was Sean Murphy before paying more attention to the front cover and noticing the last name. This is Sean Lewis. Never heard of him. But this is great.
Issue 4
They say a writer should write what she would want to read. This I am doing. When i came across Invisible Republic, it was closest at the time to the kind of book I wanted to write. This book is closer. This is the kind of book i want to write. This book was written for me.
Issue 5
This is a beautiful story. I love the writer's choice to trust the illustrator. The pages have so much room. The panels are drawn large. The story is told through pictures with an economy of bubbles and captions. When illustrations are expressive and done well, this is how I prefer it. These illustrations are definitely up for the storytelling demand.
Issue 6
I cried. This is the kind of catharsis and closure I'd hoped for from Punk Rock Jesus. This book reminded me of it. But it is more complex, more punk rock, and more Jesus. This is gold.
December 15, 2017
A unique art style and world, something that seems out of Cormac McCarthy's The Road, don't quite overcome a confusingly told story and poorly developed setting. I enjoyed the opening issue, but after the next two issues were just okay, I decided to stick with this on the knowledge that it was only six issues in length.
I never did grow to care much about the main character, Edan Hale, in part because Sean Lewis seems unsure how to develop her. In the end, the narration Lewis provides Hale sound like he is unsure himself what to make of her. The ending also feels like a cop out - going for the emotional payoff rather than the bigger ideas, whatever those ideas are supposed to be. I do remember finding parts of the story pretty good, but overall this is not something that will stick with me very long.
I never did grow to care much about the main character, Edan Hale, in part because Sean Lewis seems unsure how to develop her. In the end, the narration Lewis provides Hale sound like he is unsure himself what to make of her. The ending also feels like a cop out - going for the emotional payoff rather than the bigger ideas, whatever those ideas are supposed to be. I do remember finding parts of the story pretty good, but overall this is not something that will stick with me very long.
January 8, 2026
I'm tempted to rate this higher, but knowing myself, and how my opinion usually degrades overtime I'll pre-emptively slump this one in with the 3 stars for now.
There is a lot that I really liked about this graphic novel. The concept, writing, and partnership with the super great artwork we're all really enjoyable. Lewis also writes a nice little raison as an introduction into the start and creative development of this book.
The story really does clip along at a pretty incredible pace, the art keeps things dynamic as hell and the read really does fly by.
However, the quiet moments in between the action can't keep up with the same level of emotional drama as the action. This is really too bad because the ideas are there, just the human side of things gets resolved too quietly, or is glossed over as "we're good now" which was unsatisfying.
But, Lewis is good at making lots of interesting trouble for our protagonists so you keep reading.
Then in the final issue a bunch of things happen that don't make a whole lot of sense...it's basically a 180 for some of the character motivations, and as a reader I was left with the "really? This is the direction we're going in now?" bad taste in my mouth. It's sill fun and interesting but I did some squinty eyeball expressions a few times too.
There is a lot that I really liked about this graphic novel. The concept, writing, and partnership with the super great artwork we're all really enjoyable. Lewis also writes a nice little raison as an introduction into the start and creative development of this book.
The story really does clip along at a pretty incredible pace, the art keeps things dynamic as hell and the read really does fly by.
However, the quiet moments in between the action can't keep up with the same level of emotional drama as the action. This is really too bad because the ideas are there, just the human side of things gets resolved too quietly, or is glossed over as "we're good now" which was unsatisfying.
But, Lewis is good at making lots of interesting trouble for our protagonists so you keep reading.
Then in the final issue a bunch of things happen that don't make a whole lot of sense...it's basically a 180 for some of the character motivations, and as a reader I was left with the "really? This is the direction we're going in now?" bad taste in my mouth. It's sill fun and interesting but I did some squinty eyeball expressions a few times too.
October 7, 2018
3.5 Stars. I ended up liking this way more than I thought I would during my second night into the reading. While the authors forward explains a bit about the design choices and partnership with newcomer artist, Hayden Sherman, I do feel that the story would have benefited from a more experienced hand in the artwork.
But many of Sherman's pages are quite brilliant and show a lot of promise. However both words in panels often felt like they didn't land the point that was trying to be made.
That said, the overarching theme of the work is extremely relevant and I can see how Sean Lewis wrote this in the months leading up to the election and inauguration of our current political leader.
The comparisons to Mad Max our apt. It definitely has much of the same DNA, including the need for an overtly self-styled wasteland overlord. Where is contrasts is between the Wasteland and the City of the haves, called The Palace.
I think with tighter editing and a bit more deliberate plotting this would have been an amazing work as opposed to an enjoyable and thought-provoking read that I will likely not revisit because other material does such a better job.
Recommended for fans of Mad Max, The Fallout video game series, Blade Runner, and the dystopian side of George Saunders.
But many of Sherman's pages are quite brilliant and show a lot of promise. However both words in panels often felt like they didn't land the point that was trying to be made.
That said, the overarching theme of the work is extremely relevant and I can see how Sean Lewis wrote this in the months leading up to the election and inauguration of our current political leader.
The comparisons to Mad Max our apt. It definitely has much of the same DNA, including the need for an overtly self-styled wasteland overlord. Where is contrasts is between the Wasteland and the City of the haves, called The Palace.
I think with tighter editing and a bit more deliberate plotting this would have been an amazing work as opposed to an enjoyable and thought-provoking read that I will likely not revisit because other material does such a better job.
Recommended for fans of Mad Max, The Fallout video game series, Blade Runner, and the dystopian side of George Saunders.
May 15, 2018
The story is great, but the art is so jagged, jumbled, and grey that I honestly can't tell what some of the panels are supposed to be. Some of the full page spreads are perfect, placing me in the dystopian future and giving me glimpses of horror and possibility. Quite a few pages have misused panels of boring...texture? If it's supposed to be a close up of an object, I really can't tell. Overall, I liked this collection, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
May 5, 2018
The art is gorgeous, the premise is great, the plot...hmm it's there somewhere? The characters are there...in a sense . I think this could have been a excellent read if executed in a better fashion and characterization.
May 28, 2023
Overall an enjoyable and exciting world to get lost in. The story didn’t flow perfectly but had enough to keep me engaged and I liked the characters, and Sherman’s unique artwork was stunning and memorable.
October 25, 2017
A stark, striking dystopian story that gets derailed into speechifying at the end.
January 4, 2018
Art is engaging at moments, but plot is too hard to follow and not a particularly original one. Agree that dystopian future comics are in excess supply atm.
May 6, 2018
This kept getting better and better as it went along. Anyone who likes dystopian action with a pretty great, badass lead and good story should read this.
May 2, 2019
A lot of cool drawings but the plot is difficult to follow...
October 5, 2019
This was cliched and the artwork was really a mess, but it wasn't terrible. I kind of liked the whole thing, truth be told...
May 11, 2020
Stunning artwork! Great story!
March 27, 2021
A clever story, but tbh the artwork gave me a headache
April 26, 2023
Read this on a whim, and found myself unable to make sense of the plot every now and then. Though I like the art to an extent, it’s a little hard to determine which character is which at times, and even harder to see what’s going on during an action scene.
55/100
55/100
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May 3, 2022Non ci ho capito niente
O ben poco… Una storia distopica, della gente che vive in un mondo postqualcosa divisa per bande che si fanno la guerra tra loro, un disegno spigoloso e personaggi che paiono tutti uguali tra loro, compresa la protagonista, una ragazza che di fatto sembra un ragazzo.
Boh, sarà che questo genere di fumetto è troppo avanti per me, o forse sono io ad essere rimasto troppo indietro.
Non do stelline perché sinceramente non mi sento in grado di valutarlo. Poi magari è un capolavoro epocale, boh.
O ben poco… Una storia distopica, della gente che vive in un mondo postqualcosa divisa per bande che si fanno la guerra tra loro, un disegno spigoloso e personaggi che paiono tutti uguali tra loro, compresa la protagonista, una ragazza che di fatto sembra un ragazzo.
Boh, sarà che questo genere di fumetto è troppo avanti per me, o forse sono io ad essere rimasto troppo indietro.
Non do stelline perché sinceramente non mi sento in grado di valutarlo. Poi magari è un capolavoro epocale, boh.
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August 24, 2017Oh, now this is the sort of story-behind-the-story which is at once heartwarming and a terrible snare, for writers and artists both: Hayden Sherman, whose sparse, scratchy work here is the main attraction, was found on writer Sean Lewis' trawl of social media. Just like every writer in a hole, or artist looking for a big break, hopes is going to happen. And make no mistake, Sherman deserves that break: these snowy forests and scrappy citadels recall late Frank Miller if he didn't feel like he'd stopped trying, or early Kyle Baker minus the comedy, or maybe a washed-out Sean Murphy. The story? Well, that's the usual post-apocalyptic stuff: barbarous wildernesses, oppressive citadels, a few (hence the title) decent people trying to hold on to themselves in between. Mad Max, basically, if it were set in the cold bits of North America instead of the hot bits of Oz. But that art!
(Edelweiss ARC)
(Edelweiss ARC)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews