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Rats #4
The City
This graphic novel is the fourth of James Herbert's "rat" novels, after "The Rats", "Lair" and "Domain". It maps a chilling post-apocalyptic future where the pathetic remnants of mankind scrape out an existence in ruins under the new order of the rats.
64 pages, Graphic novel
First published March 25, 1994
3 people are currently reading
944 people want to read
About the author
James Herbert
101 books2,387 followersJames Herbert was Britain's number one bestselling writer (a position he held ever since publication of his first novel) and one of the world's top writers of thriller/horror fiction.
He was one of our greatest popular novelists, whose books are sold in thirty-three other languages, including Russian and Chinese. Widely imitated and hugely influential, his 19 novels have sold more than 42 million copies worldwide.
As an author he produced some of the most powerful horror fiction of the past decade. With a skillful blend of horror and thriller fiction, he explored the shaded territories of evil, evoking a sense of brooding menace and rising tension. He relentlessly draws the reader through the story's ultimate revelation - one that will stay to chill the mind long after the book has been laid aside. His bestsellers, THE MAGIC COTTAGE, HAUNTED, SEPULCHRE, and CREED, enhanced his reputation as a writer of depth and originality. His novels THE FOG, THE DARK, and THE SURVIVOR have been hailed as classics of the genre.
He was one of our greatest popular novelists, whose books are sold in thirty-three other languages, including Russian and Chinese. Widely imitated and hugely influential, his 19 novels have sold more than 42 million copies worldwide.
As an author he produced some of the most powerful horror fiction of the past decade. With a skillful blend of horror and thriller fiction, he explored the shaded territories of evil, evoking a sense of brooding menace and rising tension. He relentlessly draws the reader through the story's ultimate revelation - one that will stay to chill the mind long after the book has been laid aside. His bestsellers, THE MAGIC COTTAGE, HAUNTED, SEPULCHRE, and CREED, enhanced his reputation as a writer of depth and originality. His novels THE FOG, THE DARK, and THE SURVIVOR have been hailed as classics of the genre.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
April 30, 2024
Thank god it’s short.
Near mute MC enters wasted post-apocalyptic city and kills almost everything in sight; mutants, men and rats alike.
Man, this was terrible! I cannot fathom why Herbert ever released it. This was HIGHLY below average, even by comic standards. I guess he must’ve been really desperate for money, because it’s the only understandable reason for this *thing* to be published. Unrelatable character, horrible visuals, hardly any plot. Sadly I can say I’ve seen worse, but not a lot. Avoid at all costs.
His rat trilogy novels are still good, especially the awesome #1.
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PERSONAL NOTE:
[1994] [64p] [Comic] [1,5] [Highly Not Recommendable] [Please DON’T!]
-----------------------------------------------
★★★★☆ 1. The Rats
★★★☆☆ 2. Lair
☆☆☆☆☆ 3. Domain
★☆☆☆☆ 4. The City [1.5]
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Gracias a dios es corto.
Casi mudo protagonista entra a destruida ciudad apocalíptica y mata casi todo lo que ve; mutantes, personas y ratas por igual.
Dios, esto fue terrible! No puedo entender por qué Herbert alguna vez lo publicó. Esto fue MUY inferior al promedio, incluso para estándares de comic. Supongo que debe haber estado realmente desesperado por dinero, porque es la única razón entendible para que esta *cosa* sea publicada. Personaje inrelacionable, visuales horribles, casi inexistente trama. Tristemente puedo decir que vi cosas peores, pero no muchas. Evadir a cualquier costo.
Su trilogía de novelas de ratas sigue siendo buena, especialmente el increíble #1.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL:
[1994] [64p] [Comic] [1,5] [Altamente No Recomendable] [¡Por favor NO!]
-----------------------------------------------
Near mute MC enters wasted post-apocalyptic city and kills almost everything in sight; mutants, men and rats alike.
Man, this was terrible! I cannot fathom why Herbert ever released it. This was HIGHLY below average, even by comic standards. I guess he must’ve been really desperate for money, because it’s the only understandable reason for this *thing* to be published. Unrelatable character, horrible visuals, hardly any plot. Sadly I can say I’ve seen worse, but not a lot. Avoid at all costs.
His rat trilogy novels are still good, especially the awesome #1.
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE:
[1994] [64p] [Comic] [1,5] [Highly Not Recommendable] [Please DON’T!]
-----------------------------------------------
★★★★☆ 1. The Rats
★★★☆☆ 2. Lair
☆☆☆☆☆ 3. Domain
★☆☆☆☆ 4. The City [1.5]
-----------------------------------------------
Gracias a dios es corto.
Casi mudo protagonista entra a destruida ciudad apocalíptica y mata casi todo lo que ve; mutantes, personas y ratas por igual.
Dios, esto fue terrible! No puedo entender por qué Herbert alguna vez lo publicó. Esto fue MUY inferior al promedio, incluso para estándares de comic. Supongo que debe haber estado realmente desesperado por dinero, porque es la única razón entendible para que esta *cosa* sea publicada. Personaje inrelacionable, visuales horribles, casi inexistente trama. Tristemente puedo decir que vi cosas peores, pero no muchas. Evadir a cualquier costo.
Su trilogía de novelas de ratas sigue siendo buena, especialmente el increíble #1.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL:
[1994] [64p] [Comic] [1,5] [Altamente No Recomendable] [¡Por favor NO!]
-----------------------------------------------
November 10, 2018
I rather enjoyed James Herbert’s Rats trilogy, so I was curious about this little extra in the form of a graphic novel. I’ll be honest and say I’m not the biggest fan of graphic novels – in fact, I can only name one that I really enjoyed – but I was willing to give it a try, just to see what it added.
In truth, I would have been fine without reading this. Did it add anything more to the series? Not really. It was nice to see a potential very dark future, but it didn’t really fit with the main trilogy. It’s one of those things to read if you’re a big fan and want to have all the possible information, otherwise it’s not worth it.
The only plus is The City was so short I finished it in no time at all.
In truth, I would have been fine without reading this. Did it add anything more to the series? Not really. It was nice to see a potential very dark future, but it didn’t really fit with the main trilogy. It’s one of those things to read if you’re a big fan and want to have all the possible information, otherwise it’s not worth it.
The only plus is The City was so short I finished it in no time at all.
June 29, 2016
This is a strange title which is now very difficult to get hold of (sometimes my almost pathological refusal to part with books does have its moments) but I do have a copy and here is my completion of the the Rats saga from James Herbert.
The book is set in the same world and location as Domain but some years further along. The situation has not improved and I must admit the whole stark world is disturbingly realised with the art work of Ian Miller.
And this brings me on to the artwork -after all it is a graphic novel. Ian Miller is a very talented artist - some of his illustrations for Games Workshop for example are defining pieces which I think played no small part in the companies success in its early days. However they are incredible stark and imposing and at times I feel detract from the story.
The story of which is just as powerful as the previous books (if not a feeling a little familiar by now) but the artwork makes it feel surreal - or that is just me I guess.
To me this IS part of the Rats canon however I am sorry to say it is not a powerful conclusion and I can see why the series is more often than not referred to as a trilogy. The book itself is as I say very difficult to get home and unless you are a completist or devoted fan you are not missing much but it has to be remembered in context - it was early the 90s and the production of a very gifted British horror author.
The book is set in the same world and location as Domain but some years further along. The situation has not improved and I must admit the whole stark world is disturbingly realised with the art work of Ian Miller.
And this brings me on to the artwork -after all it is a graphic novel. Ian Miller is a very talented artist - some of his illustrations for Games Workshop for example are defining pieces which I think played no small part in the companies success in its early days. However they are incredible stark and imposing and at times I feel detract from the story.
The story of which is just as powerful as the previous books (if not a feeling a little familiar by now) but the artwork makes it feel surreal - or that is just me I guess.
To me this IS part of the Rats canon however I am sorry to say it is not a powerful conclusion and I can see why the series is more often than not referred to as a trilogy. The book itself is as I say very difficult to get home and unless you are a completist or devoted fan you are not missing much but it has to be remembered in context - it was early the 90s and the production of a very gifted British horror author.
July 2, 2022
Un comic completamente repugnante y enfermizo que sin embargo tiene su punto morboso, con el que James Herbert dio por terminada su saga de las ratas. Los dibujos son increíblemente malsanos y decadentes
February 4, 2017
This is part 4 of the Rats Trilogy (yes, I know that can't exist), but that is a fitting label. It really doesn't fit in with the cannon of the first three. The only similarity is the nuclear holocaust and the rats. The art gave me an almost HR Giger feel and the entire feeling is much more fantasy.
The story is sparse. A lonely traveller goes into the City. For what? Nothing too shocking there but I wont spoil it.
The art is where this story shines, Each panel is just oozing with effort. The kills are some of my favorite I have ever seen in comic form.
A fun read but not worth the expense of finding a legit copy.
The story is sparse. A lonely traveller goes into the City. For what? Nothing too shocking there but I wont spoil it.
The art is where this story shines, Each panel is just oozing with effort. The kills are some of my favorite I have ever seen in comic form.
A fun read but not worth the expense of finding a legit copy.
December 13, 2019
Difficult to get hold of, this is the final work of Herbert’s I will get to read. Rare and only available at a premium price, I was finally able to view this graphic novel it as some kind soul has put it online. Great artwork but only a scant storyline, it adds nothing to the original Rats trilogy but is one for the completists.
January 12, 2023
This was really good, the story was basic, but the artwork was excellent, it reminded me of Heavy Metal Magazine.
July 1, 2023
I wish he had just done a full novel instead
August 7, 2022
Relentlessly gritty, ultimately fun reading and not a very long one unless one spents minutes admiring the intricate post-apocalyptic drawings of London and vermin grotesqueries, which are a thing of joy.
I don't know James Herbert's previous works in The Rats trilogy of novels this graphic novel is set on, but if the plot here is anything to go by that would hardly make a difference since it could've been written as well by any edgy twelve year old with an obsession for rats.
The family scene "twist" is just so bleak for bleakness sake I'll probably be sad thinking about it for a week.
I don't know James Herbert's previous works in The Rats trilogy of novels this graphic novel is set on, but if the plot here is anything to go by that would hardly make a difference since it could've been written as well by any edgy twelve year old with an obsession for rats.
The family scene "twist" is just so bleak for bleakness sake I'll probably be sad thinking about it for a week.
March 14, 2025
Big big fan of the Rats triolgy and found this to be a really cool follow up!
Plus the artwork is fab!
Very happy to have recieved this as a gift, as was not even aware there was even a fourth part of this series, this part should be talked about more.
Deffo worth a look at and a read 🙂
Plus the artwork is fab!
Very happy to have recieved this as a gift, as was not even aware there was even a fourth part of this series, this part should be talked about more.
Deffo worth a look at and a read 🙂
November 9, 2018
I remember finding this book in my local library back when I was about fifteen. At the time, I had little idea who James Herbert was, I didn't know about his Rats trilogy and I was still a fledgeling when it came to horror.
This book actually inspired me so much that I actually did a short roleplay of it, replacing the rats with zombies for an English class. I was such a dork.
I think what grabbed my attention right off the bat - as it probably was with a lot of people - was the artwork. Ian Miller's art style was surreal, nightmarish and visceral in ways that made this seems less like the real world and more like an alien planet. So much of the story takes place in the eponymous City and very little of it feels normal. The place has been turned into a giant rat's nest with the buildings and streets being designed with a more organic feel. The character's are all distinct, with nearby every human face in the crowd being distinct.
The rats meanwhile.....
They're like a tidal wave or fur and fangs. They swarm and eat and kill. Lead by a larger specimen with a red eye they are unstoppable and very VERY dangerous. I've nothing against rats. I actually think they're pretty cute and very misunderstood, but in the context of this story....brrr.....
But on the note of the story that's where the book falls down into the swarm. At its core, the story is rather simple if a little obtuse. The traveller (because I don't think he has a name, I'll have to check) has one goal in the city. To get his wife and daughter out. Except we're never told this until about halfway through the story. Up to that point, it's more of a sightseeing trip through the City alongside the Traveller's two mechanical (or armoured, it's never clear) dogs. And once we learn the reason he's in the city and watch what happens, ultimately the story kind of just wanders off. There is an ending to things but it's just kind of....a thing.
And on the note of the Traveller, he's kind of a blank slate. For most of the first half, he wears a mask, efectively blanking his identity and personality. He says nothing, explains nothing, opines nothing. And given that the rest of the cast are mostly bystanders that come and go or are there for flavour, we have to rely on the Traveller to guide us. And he's a stone block.
Overall The City is not something you read for the story. It's simplistic, bland and one note. What you read The City for is the art. Think of it like a haunted house. Imagine yourself as the Traveller, wandering through those nightmarish streets and you'll have a cracking good time.
This book actually inspired me so much that I actually did a short roleplay of it, replacing the rats with zombies for an English class. I was such a dork.
I think what grabbed my attention right off the bat - as it probably was with a lot of people - was the artwork. Ian Miller's art style was surreal, nightmarish and visceral in ways that made this seems less like the real world and more like an alien planet. So much of the story takes place in the eponymous City and very little of it feels normal. The place has been turned into a giant rat's nest with the buildings and streets being designed with a more organic feel. The character's are all distinct, with nearby every human face in the crowd being distinct.
The rats meanwhile.....
They're like a tidal wave or fur and fangs. They swarm and eat and kill. Lead by a larger specimen with a red eye they are unstoppable and very VERY dangerous. I've nothing against rats. I actually think they're pretty cute and very misunderstood, but in the context of this story....brrr.....
But on the note of the story that's where the book falls down into the swarm. At its core, the story is rather simple if a little obtuse. The traveller (because I don't think he has a name, I'll have to check) has one goal in the city. To get his wife and daughter out. Except we're never told this until about halfway through the story. Up to that point, it's more of a sightseeing trip through the City alongside the Traveller's two mechanical (or armoured, it's never clear) dogs. And once we learn the reason he's in the city and watch what happens, ultimately the story kind of just wanders off. There is an ending to things but it's just kind of....a thing.
And on the note of the Traveller, he's kind of a blank slate. For most of the first half, he wears a mask, efectively blanking his identity and personality. He says nothing, explains nothing, opines nothing. And given that the rest of the cast are mostly bystanders that come and go or are there for flavour, we have to rely on the Traveller to guide us. And he's a stone block.
Overall The City is not something you read for the story. It's simplistic, bland and one note. What you read The City for is the art. Think of it like a haunted house. Imagine yourself as the Traveller, wandering through those nightmarish streets and you'll have a cracking good time.
May 10, 2021
Being the only the third graphic novel I've read (The other two being one of The Simpson's tree house of horror, and a Star wars one) wasn't sure what to expect when going into this. First of perhaps a obvious one for a 68 page graphic novel it didn't have any character development and the protagonist said at most 15 words throughout. However, the novel was given plenty of character, despite lacking in any explanation and in fact in very my the text at all, through its design which looked like someone had been asked to draw a steam punk mad max world in London while on a acid with only four colours to use. The bizarre and wonderful illustrations portray a gritty city and savaged people with the rats becoming even more mutated and intelligent terror than before. The characters around though having brief showings and no story portray this mad world perfectly being either feral creatures or insanely divorced from reality. The story though portrayed with little to no text was interesting if straightforward and perfect for a one of comic format though I wish the charade could of been expanded on to better get an insight to this mad post apocalyptic world a style that is touched on, but increased a 1000% in its bizarre here, in Domain. In short a good very short set of wonderfully bizarre illustrations that provide a superficial but still enjoyable story.
September 23, 2025
the writing is inconsequential, the story thinner than the paper its printed on, and somehow still ringing with cliche. i read this simply because ian miller illustrated it, and having his art actually tell a story is wonderful, its horrible, gruesome, depressing, everything it needs to be. the layouts are fairly uninspired but he's only done one other work of narrative art so he's not cut his teeth on it too much. but the reveal of the 'baby' is genuinely stomach churning
*
rereading it the 'story' such as it is is even more trite and stupid than i remember, but miller's art even more stupendous
*
rereading it the 'story' such as it is is even more trite and stupid than i remember, but miller's art even more stupendous
June 9, 2019
As a stand-alone volume, this might have worked. But as the fourth installment of the "Rats" saga, it does not. It's a shame in the decline of the story from #1 to this.
This story has "The Traveller" returning to what I believe is London, and he is angry! He puts a hurting to the rats. Hooray for him!
My advice, skip this. And do NOT pay for it! It's only 64 pages, most of which are just art. Bummer of an ending to this saga.
This story has "The Traveller" returning to what I believe is London, and he is angry! He puts a hurting to the rats. Hooray for him!
My advice, skip this. And do NOT pay for it! It's only 64 pages, most of which are just art. Bummer of an ending to this saga.
August 15, 2022
Read it for the art.
This is the final book in the Rat series. set in a post-apocalyptic time where humans no longer run free and are in control of the world and the Rats are now the main predators of the earth.
The story is fine with moments of awe at just the sheer downfall of humanity. However, you can tell James Herbert has never written a graphic novel before as it is clunky at times and doesn't flow at times.
The art however is glorious and truly gothic and world-ending.
This is the final book in the Rat series. set in a post-apocalyptic time where humans no longer run free and are in control of the world and the Rats are now the main predators of the earth.
The story is fine with moments of awe at just the sheer downfall of humanity. However, you can tell James Herbert has never written a graphic novel before as it is clunky at times and doesn't flow at times.
The art however is glorious and truly gothic and world-ending.
February 8, 2022
En este comic se da por finalizada la saga de Las ratas de Herbert. En esta ocasión nos encontramos un futuro distopico a lo Mad Max donde las ratas gobiernan el mundo, muchas de ellas han evolucionado a seres mutantes capaces de caminar y expresarse como un humano. A una de estas ciudades llega un soldado para intentar rescatar a su mujer. Es un buen complemento y el arte es alucinante.
August 24, 2013
After reading all four in the series in order, I felt this one in particular could have been so much more than it was, very disappointed with this, but as the first graphic novel I've read I am likely to read more .
August 25, 2015
Traspaso a viñetas del más célebre universo creado por James, con la inestimable colaboración gráfica de Ian Miller para cubrir extensos pasajes de escasos diálogos. Espeluznante y macabra, como suele ser la obra de Herbert.
April 8, 2016
While the story is pretty formulaic - grim mysterious Traveller appears into a post apocalyptic world - the grotesque vision and the feeling of desolation make this graphic novel a must for fans of Domain.
March 18, 2019
I'm not one for graphic novels. This was not bad, artwork quite good but lacked in terms of story, very basic. That said it did finish of the rats saga with some decent visuals. More one for a die hard fan who wanted to have a complete collection. Very quick to finish, probably more a 2.5/5.
January 13, 2013
Very poor. There is a reason this has been out of print for years. Poor artwork and poor writing make for a very disappointing read!
March 1, 2018
Cool visuals. Lots and lots of action. Not much else to it.
December 5, 2019
This was the ending I was waiting for
January 6, 2020
Nice art work but nothing special I would have rather had a novel
February 11, 2020
This was..... an experience.
March 15, 2020
A quick read that adds to the Rats trilogy. A gruesome short story with little text but fabulous detailed artwork.
December 2, 2021
I give this 4 star (just) for the gorgeous artwork, the story is nothing special but as a graphic novel it just works for me. A great way to finish the rats series.
December 25, 2021
Keeps with the rats trilogy
December 5, 2024
This is a very hard one for me to rate as there are 2 big things to consider the story itself and the artwork.
The story itself i would give a 2 star. It is a very basic plot and very very quick to read with some interesting elements but for a 64 page graphic novel with on average 8-15 words per double page spread it is very basic.
The artwork I would have to give it a 5 star. It is dark and unique. Very beautiful in its grotesque.
For the artwork its amazing for the story itself is just very cliche.
The story itself i would give a 2 star. It is a very basic plot and very very quick to read with some interesting elements but for a 64 page graphic novel with on average 8-15 words per double page spread it is very basic.
The artwork I would have to give it a 5 star. It is dark and unique. Very beautiful in its grotesque.
For the artwork its amazing for the story itself is just very cliche.
January 22, 2023
A dark finale to the Rats series in the vein of The Gunslinger. Set hundreds of years into the future of the post-apocalyptic world, garnished with Herbert's signature brutal horror and the incredible art work by Ian Miller
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews