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Animosity
Animosity, Vol. 3: The Swarm
Tensions run high as betrayal stings Jesse in a way she could have never imagined. Can Kyle shed his humanity enough to aid Jesse in her quest? Can Sandor forsake his bestial nature in order to save that which he loves? The answers lie within! Meanwhile, Sandor, Jesse and the survivors hear rumors of a mysterious Walled City where safety may be waiting...but will their journey there be too high a price to pay?
Collecting ANIMOSITY #9-13—all five issues from the third story arc of this highly-acclaimed series!
Collecting ANIMOSITY #9-13—all five issues from the third story arc of this highly-acclaimed series!
120 pages, Paperback
First published July 4, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
May 18, 2019
In the world of Animosity, the animals became sentient one day. In some areas of the world, this transition occurred more smoothly than others. Strangely, all of the bees disappeared.
This issue sheds some light on where they went.
As this series continues to get darker, I can't help but be reminded of The Walking Dead, Book One. (Especially with the rumors of a "walled city" in this issue.)
You have a world, much like our own, but with unexpected dangers and predators around every corner. Some have adopted in strange ways to survive, sometimes at the great expense of others. Cultures have entirely changed or adopted to embrace different manners of communication and family.
The strong are thriving, but so are the smart. What matters most are your relationships and how you interact with others.
My one criticism of this series is how dark it seems to be turning. If animals became like people, wouldn't they get some of our most positive characteristics too, instead of mainly or entirely the negative?
It's still a fascinating premise in that the carnivores still need to eat meat even though they now have the cognitive abilities of a human. There's a few panels in this issue showing krill having a conversation about the dangers of trying to communicate with the deep ocean creatures shortly before being swallowed by a whale.
How small does the sentience go? To one-celled organisms? We don't know yet. But it is a mystery the series is working on solving.
Recommended for adult or older teen readers because of some violence, not too graphic, and stressful situations. This issue ends on a cliffhanger so if you can't handle the uncertainty, you may want to wait to read these until the series is complete.
This issue sheds some light on where they went.
As this series continues to get darker, I can't help but be reminded of The Walking Dead, Book One. (Especially with the rumors of a "walled city" in this issue.)
You have a world, much like our own, but with unexpected dangers and predators around every corner. Some have adopted in strange ways to survive, sometimes at the great expense of others. Cultures have entirely changed or adopted to embrace different manners of communication and family.
The strong are thriving, but so are the smart. What matters most are your relationships and how you interact with others.
My one criticism of this series is how dark it seems to be turning. If animals became like people, wouldn't they get some of our most positive characteristics too, instead of mainly or entirely the negative?
It's still a fascinating premise in that the carnivores still need to eat meat even though they now have the cognitive abilities of a human. There's a few panels in this issue showing krill having a conversation about the dangers of trying to communicate with the deep ocean creatures shortly before being swallowed by a whale.
How small does the sentience go? To one-celled organisms? We don't know yet. But it is a mystery the series is working on solving.
Recommended for adult or older teen readers because of some violence, not too graphic, and stressful situations. This issue ends on a cliffhanger so if you can't handle the uncertainty, you may want to wait to read these until the series is complete.
January 28, 2020
I freaking love this series. There's so much great, well thought-out worldbuilding. This volume explores sentient bees and what that means for the world since they are necessary for pollination. Jesse and Sandor's relationship is so endearing. It's one of the best father / daughter relationships out there and Sandor's a freaking bloodhound.
DeLaTorre's art is spot on. I like how his animals always look realistic, yet he's able to give them all personalities. My one complaint about this arc is that the font for the bees was really tiny. I get it's because they talk very low, but I had to maximize my screen for each panel to read it.
Received a review copy from Aftershock and Edelweiss. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
DeLaTorre's art is spot on. I like how his animals always look realistic, yet he's able to give them all personalities. My one complaint about this arc is that the font for the bees was really tiny. I get it's because they talk very low, but I had to maximize my screen for each panel to read it.
Received a review copy from Aftershock and Edelweiss. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
July 18, 2018
After escaping the insurrection in volume 2, Jesse, Sandor and friends find themselves stuck between rival forces as a swarm of bees and a new community wage war on each other. But Jesse, being Jesse, wants to save everyone. But in the post-Wake world, that's just not possible anymore.
I fucking love this book. So much. The characters are so well realised, with complex motivations (Sandor, I just want to hug you and then run away forever) and relationships with each other. The world is so well fleshed out that in only 13 issues we've already got such a picture of what's going on, and how much has changed. It makes you sit up and take notice of the world around you in ways other books certainly don't. And of course it does it while kicking you in the feels as you go. The end of this volume especially made me want to throw my trade across the room.
The art is a huge selling point as well. De La Torre's animals are so expressive without feeling off-model, and the creativity we get with the bees and especially the sequences set within the hive are just gorgeous.
Animosity is a book everyone should be reading, whether you like comics or not. That's how good it is.
I fucking love this book. So much. The characters are so well realised, with complex motivations (Sandor, I just want to hug you and then run away forever) and relationships with each other. The world is so well fleshed out that in only 13 issues we've already got such a picture of what's going on, and how much has changed. It makes you sit up and take notice of the world around you in ways other books certainly don't. And of course it does it while kicking you in the feels as you go. The end of this volume especially made me want to throw my trade across the room.
The art is a huge selling point as well. De La Torre's animals are so expressive without feeling off-model, and the creativity we get with the bees and especially the sequences set within the hive are just gorgeous.
Animosity is a book everyone should be reading, whether you like comics or not. That's how good it is.
January 10, 2019
This was another good, yet not great, volume.
This time we get a little time with the bees. However, when on the search to find the queen bee we find out a town isn't what they seem but what if the betrayal is far someone far closer?
This time we get a little time with the bees. However, when on the search to find the queen bee we find out a town isn't what they seem but what if the betrayal is far someone far closer?
February 21, 2021
(3,4 of 5 for the bitter taste, not from artificial meat but disappointment)
I wanted that Animosity would be great comics. I really did. And don't get me wrong, it is interesting comics, but it just keeps tickling my itchy spots, more with each book. The new members of uncomfortable tickling are:
1) I mentioned the Walking Dead similarities, and I would let that pass, but it starts to feel like Bennet just started with Walking Animals and see, where it goes. It feels not thought through. The scenes themselves are nice, but I don't feel the glue, nor the world. Bennet tries work on that by flashbacks or different "places" (as we know form WD), but it feels very random and not helpful.
2) The action covers for lacking story. There is a lot of filling and shortcuts just get the characters to the proper place for the author's next idea.
3) Androids - the parents look like people in their mid-thirties (at the top). But they have a son, who looks like (and probably is in his mid to late twenties). Mother looks in 3 times in 3 years exactly the same is highly suspicious too...
Not sure what should I expect next....
I wanted that Animosity would be great comics. I really did. And don't get me wrong, it is interesting comics, but it just keeps tickling my itchy spots, more with each book. The new members of uncomfortable tickling are:
1) I mentioned the Walking Dead similarities, and I would let that pass, but it starts to feel like Bennet just started with Walking Animals and see, where it goes. It feels not thought through. The scenes themselves are nice, but I don't feel the glue, nor the world. Bennet tries work on that by flashbacks or different "places" (as we know form WD), but it feels very random and not helpful.
2) The action covers for lacking story. There is a lot of filling and shortcuts just get the characters to the proper place for the author's next idea.
3) Androids - the parents look like people in their mid-thirties (at the top). But they have a son, who looks like (and probably is in his mid to late twenties). Mother looks in 3 times in 3 years exactly the same is highly suspicious too...
Not sure what should I expect next....
October 22, 2020
cool twist close to the end (certainly got me snared) however it additionally kinda appeared suddenly. the arrangement began somewhat temperamental for my preferences, however, it is rapidly picking up energy.
art: 4.5/5 (that cover!)
story: 3.5/5
art: 4.5/5 (that cover!)
story: 3.5/5
March 25, 2024
Labā un ļaunā robeža ir pilnībā izplūdusi.
July 6, 2020
I don't know why but these collected volumes of Animosity seem so short! I have to pace myself so that I don't devour it in minutes.
This time sweet Jesse tries to rescue bees. Well, she is kinda forced to do it though I bet she would have done it anyway and some friends might become foes. The motives unknown, it made me very frustrated because I want to know more about inner lives of certain individuals and their background.
This time sweet Jesse tries to rescue bees. Well, she is kinda forced to do it though I bet she would have done it anyway and some friends might become foes. The motives unknown, it made me very frustrated because I want to know more about inner lives of certain individuals and their background.
July 21, 2020
Still good and keeps me interested to come back for more in the future!
September 7, 2018
3.5 stars
Cool twist near the end (definitely got me hooked) but it also kinda came out of nowhere
Cool twist near the end (definitely got me hooked) but it also kinda came out of nowhere
June 10, 2020
La saga di Animosity continua a superarsi volume dopo volume senza scadere nel monotono, nell’ovvio o nel “già visto”. La storia nasce da una semplice idea: “Cosa accadrebbe nel mondo intero se tutti gli animali (dai più grandi ai più piccoli) diventassero raziocinanti e parlanti?” Ebbene, ciò è avvenuto dal giorno del risveglio.
Da questa idea si sviluppano i tre volumi usciti finora in casa SaldaPress, che permettono di toccare non poche tematiche interessanti: problemi etici riguardanti cibo (chi può mangiare cosa dato che tutti ormai parlano? E gli animali prettamente carnivori come possono fare?), sopravvivenza, guerra, politica, ma anche affetto incondizionato tra le specie.
Animosity – Lo Sciame di Marguerite Bennett e Rafael de Latorre è un perfetto terzo volume: i personaggi protagonisti vengono ulteriormente approfonditi e sfaccettati e la storia non resta ferma, anzi, ha una giustissima evoluzione per nulla scontata che prepara il lettore ad attendere con impazienza l’uscita del volume seguente.
La storia del fumetto ruota attorno a Jesse, una ragazzina a cui è rimasto come unico amico e tutore il cagnolone Sandor; il loro obiettivo è quello di andare a San Francisco per ricongiungersi con il fratellastro della piccola, Adam. A loro si accompagneranno nuovi amici, umani e non, tutti uniti in un lungo viaggio anche se con scopi differenti, e ciò li rende un “gruppo”. Il fatto che l’idea di base sia così apparentemente semplice è un enorme vantaggio, perché permette che da essa possa svilupparsi un intero mondo che si narra quasi da solo. Quindi non è importante tanto il viaggio quanto gli incontri che si fanno lungo il viaggio stesso e la crescita che avviene.
In questo terzo volume di Animosity, come si può dedurre dal titolo stesso, verrà introdotta una nuova “entità”, lo Sciame; questo personaggio (anche se in realtà si tratta di tanti piccoli personaggi) approfondisce temi già trattati prima analizzandoli da punti di vista sempre diversi e nuovi.
Il tema del cibo è molto forte sia dal punto di vista etico che della sopravvivenza. Tutte le regole che conosciamo, il mondo in cui viviamo… tutto cambia e viene sovvertito. Voi vi fareste mangiare o sfruttare? Non credo, e neanche gli animali permettono più che ciò accada. Alcuni cooperano con gli uomini, altri combattono, alcuni si vendicano ciecamente… insomma, ogni razza ed ogni singolo agisce a modo suo.
Questo problema si unisce a quello della sopravvivenza. La legge del più forte si contrappone all’essere buoni ed alla cooperazione. Tutti alla fine vogliono sopravvivere, non essere mangiati e mantenere la loro indipendenza, per questo il confine tra ciò che è giusto e ciò che è sbagliato non è più netto e subisce continue mutazioni. Cosa accadrebbe se uomini che sopravvivono insieme ad animali, in una realtà apparentemente rosea, dovessero iniziare a rapire delle api per impollinare? La vita degli insetti è meno importante perché non si sente la loro voce?
La lettura è molto scorrevole, ci si affeziona alle figure di Jesse, Sandor e dei loro compagni e i lettori non vengono decisamente delusi, ma costantemente presi dalla narrazione in un ritmo avvincente. I dialoghi non sono pesanti e neanche ridondanti, pertanto permettono al lettore di essere guidato nel racconto senza impedirgli di riflettere sui temi trattati.
Il tratto è realistico, ma dolce al tempo stesso; non vengono risparmiate scene di sangue dato che ci sono non pochi scontri e momenti di lotta. Nel volume ogni sentimento viene trasmesso al massimo, dall’affetto che lega Jesse e Sandor tra i loro sguardi ed abbracci all’astio tra certi animali e la razza umana, sapientemente trasmessa anche solo dalle posture dei soggetti.
Con “Lo Sciame“, Animosity si riconferma una saga avvincente che tratta temi sempre più attuali, affascinante per gli amanti degli animali ma anche per gli appassionati di azione ed intrighi (d’altro canto, il giorno del risveglio da chi o cosa è stato causato? Alieni? Qualche divinità? Esperimenti?). Dopo la lettura guarderete gli animali in modo diverso.
Da questa idea si sviluppano i tre volumi usciti finora in casa SaldaPress, che permettono di toccare non poche tematiche interessanti: problemi etici riguardanti cibo (chi può mangiare cosa dato che tutti ormai parlano? E gli animali prettamente carnivori come possono fare?), sopravvivenza, guerra, politica, ma anche affetto incondizionato tra le specie.
Animosity – Lo Sciame di Marguerite Bennett e Rafael de Latorre è un perfetto terzo volume: i personaggi protagonisti vengono ulteriormente approfonditi e sfaccettati e la storia non resta ferma, anzi, ha una giustissima evoluzione per nulla scontata che prepara il lettore ad attendere con impazienza l’uscita del volume seguente.
La storia del fumetto ruota attorno a Jesse, una ragazzina a cui è rimasto come unico amico e tutore il cagnolone Sandor; il loro obiettivo è quello di andare a San Francisco per ricongiungersi con il fratellastro della piccola, Adam. A loro si accompagneranno nuovi amici, umani e non, tutti uniti in un lungo viaggio anche se con scopi differenti, e ciò li rende un “gruppo”. Il fatto che l’idea di base sia così apparentemente semplice è un enorme vantaggio, perché permette che da essa possa svilupparsi un intero mondo che si narra quasi da solo. Quindi non è importante tanto il viaggio quanto gli incontri che si fanno lungo il viaggio stesso e la crescita che avviene.
In questo terzo volume di Animosity, come si può dedurre dal titolo stesso, verrà introdotta una nuova “entità”, lo Sciame; questo personaggio (anche se in realtà si tratta di tanti piccoli personaggi) approfondisce temi già trattati prima analizzandoli da punti di vista sempre diversi e nuovi.
Il tema del cibo è molto forte sia dal punto di vista etico che della sopravvivenza. Tutte le regole che conosciamo, il mondo in cui viviamo… tutto cambia e viene sovvertito. Voi vi fareste mangiare o sfruttare? Non credo, e neanche gli animali permettono più che ciò accada. Alcuni cooperano con gli uomini, altri combattono, alcuni si vendicano ciecamente… insomma, ogni razza ed ogni singolo agisce a modo suo.
Questo problema si unisce a quello della sopravvivenza. La legge del più forte si contrappone all’essere buoni ed alla cooperazione. Tutti alla fine vogliono sopravvivere, non essere mangiati e mantenere la loro indipendenza, per questo il confine tra ciò che è giusto e ciò che è sbagliato non è più netto e subisce continue mutazioni. Cosa accadrebbe se uomini che sopravvivono insieme ad animali, in una realtà apparentemente rosea, dovessero iniziare a rapire delle api per impollinare? La vita degli insetti è meno importante perché non si sente la loro voce?
La lettura è molto scorrevole, ci si affeziona alle figure di Jesse, Sandor e dei loro compagni e i lettori non vengono decisamente delusi, ma costantemente presi dalla narrazione in un ritmo avvincente. I dialoghi non sono pesanti e neanche ridondanti, pertanto permettono al lettore di essere guidato nel racconto senza impedirgli di riflettere sui temi trattati.
Il tratto è realistico, ma dolce al tempo stesso; non vengono risparmiate scene di sangue dato che ci sono non pochi scontri e momenti di lotta. Nel volume ogni sentimento viene trasmesso al massimo, dall’affetto che lega Jesse e Sandor tra i loro sguardi ed abbracci all’astio tra certi animali e la razza umana, sapientemente trasmessa anche solo dalle posture dei soggetti.
Con “Lo Sciame“, Animosity si riconferma una saga avvincente che tratta temi sempre più attuali, affascinante per gli amanti degli animali ma anche per gli appassionati di azione ed intrighi (d’altro canto, il giorno del risveglio da chi o cosa è stato causato? Alieni? Qualche divinità? Esperimenti?). Dopo la lettura guarderete gli animali in modo diverso.
March 2, 2021
With this story of the sentient bees it's more than obvious what the author is trying to highlight - that sentience is the exact opposite of instinct. After the initial anger at the humans, the animals desire complete freedom, though that goes against the natural order of things. What bee refuses to gather pollen to fertilize plants? And I can't see how a sentient bee could be kept captive by a human. If it wanted to leave, it could, I don't know, fly away? This chapter is wasted on me. I would have preferred to see something like a negotiation between humans and bees, something that is constructive for both sides. You know, like in real life. Slavery, my big fat behind. This volume was crap. I can't even imagine what nonsense was skipped here. The author seemed to have gone all-out to insult basic human logic.
Jesse's group are drawn to a dam covered completely by a beehive. A group of evil, no good humans has been stealing bees on a regular basis. Jesse's group tries to help, but the humans are just too fast. Since 'no good deed goes unpunished', the bees force Jesse's group to retrieve their queen by holding Bethany and Pallas hostage. It turns out the humans have less insidious goals - they need the bees for their farm. Cause, you know, food.
Jesse's group are drawn to a dam covered completely by a beehive. A group of evil, no good humans has been stealing bees on a regular basis. Jesse's group tries to help, but the humans are just too fast. Since 'no good deed goes unpunished', the bees force Jesse's group to retrieve their queen by holding Bethany and Pallas hostage. It turns out the humans have less insidious goals - they need the bees for their farm. Cause, you know, food.
September 13, 2019
When I was reading Marguerite Bennett's DC Comics Bombshells and DC Comics Bombshells United I always noticed that Bennett's best work was when she would address some social issue and deal with it in her idealized World War II era DC universe. Of course DC editorial put up with this because it wasn't "real" to them--this was effectively an Elseworlds title and had no bearing on the "official" DC continuity. As such, this is when one is able to read a creator's stories when not backed by a major publisher, the possibilities are pretty exciting, especially since it is obvious from Bombshells that Marguerite Bennett is a decent storyteller.
Until now, I could see the potential of Animosity but I felt that Bennett just barely missed the mark with the first two volumes, which I enjoyed. Perhaps this is because Bennett focuses heavily in these first two volumes on the relationship between Jesse and her dog Sandor, as they are obviously the emotional center of the book. In this volume, however, the two are separated early on which allows Bennett to focus more on the world of Animosity then she had in the previous two volumes and in so doing she is able to use the world after "The Wake" as mirror into a perilous situation in our world--that is, the fate of bees.
Bees are the primary focus of The Swarm and after "The Wake" in the world of Animosity the importance of bees becomes apparent. Humanity has so changed how crops come into being that newly self-aware bees who now have a choice to participate decide that they don't want to. This ultimately drives the narrative of The Swarm and as is so often the case with Animosity the actual answers to these problems aren't obvious, leading to dubious ethical behavior being perpetrated in order to guarantee survival, on all sides (and like in real life, there more than two agendas in play here--a fact that leads into the next story arc.)
In my review of the last volume of Animosity I posited whether or not I really wanted to know what my dog thought of me. Being flooded with self-awareness would lead to him having to make all sorts of decisions of the ethical choices he might have to make. It is insinuated in this volume that perhaps the animals knew what they were doing before "The Wake." If that's true, then maybe my dog is like Sandor, since he still wags his tail when I come home from work. If he's devoted to me, like Sandor, the ethical choices might not be choices at all--the course of action is obvious from the start.
Until now, I could see the potential of Animosity but I felt that Bennett just barely missed the mark with the first two volumes, which I enjoyed. Perhaps this is because Bennett focuses heavily in these first two volumes on the relationship between Jesse and her dog Sandor, as they are obviously the emotional center of the book. In this volume, however, the two are separated early on which allows Bennett to focus more on the world of Animosity then she had in the previous two volumes and in so doing she is able to use the world after "The Wake" as mirror into a perilous situation in our world--that is, the fate of bees.
Bees are the primary focus of The Swarm and after "The Wake" in the world of Animosity the importance of bees becomes apparent. Humanity has so changed how crops come into being that newly self-aware bees who now have a choice to participate decide that they don't want to. This ultimately drives the narrative of The Swarm and as is so often the case with Animosity the actual answers to these problems aren't obvious, leading to dubious ethical behavior being perpetrated in order to guarantee survival, on all sides (and like in real life, there more than two agendas in play here--a fact that leads into the next story arc.)
In my review of the last volume of Animosity I posited whether or not I really wanted to know what my dog thought of me. Being flooded with self-awareness would lead to him having to make all sorts of decisions of the ethical choices he might have to make. It is insinuated in this volume that perhaps the animals knew what they were doing before "The Wake." If that's true, then maybe my dog is like Sandor, since he still wags his tail when I come home from work. If he's devoted to me, like Sandor, the ethical choices might not be choices at all--the course of action is obvious from the start.
Read
January 8, 2020For some reason Aftershock have whacked all the Animosity collections to date up on Edelweiss, but mine is not to reason why when I could be catching up with them. This one addresses more closely something that's been bugging (ha!) me since the series began; I can understand the premise of other vertebrates suddenly being able to talk to humans as equals, but insects? Normally one might call it the elephant in the room, except that what happens with elephants in this changed world is already abundantly clear, and it's the small stuff I've been sweating. So: our wanderers happen upon a giant beehive being robbed by humans, and after attempting to intervene, some of the animals are held prisoner by the bees (as is noted, no good deed goes unpunished) while the humans go to rescue the stolen members of the hive. Expecting to find evil bee-tormentors, they instead stumble upon an apparently idyllic commune, but if you don't know to be suspicious of apparently idyllic settlements in post-apocalyptic stories then whoo boy, this must be your first end-times rodeo.
So now we know how it's going with the bees (and I maintain that UK apiary practices will make them at least a little less wary over here than Stateside) - what about worms?
So now we know how it's going with the bees (and I maintain that UK apiary practices will make them at least a little less wary over here than Stateside) - what about worms?
March 18, 2019
A po minulém díle hned zase zpátky do akce a to rovnou docela oběma nohama zároveň. Jesse tu přebírá mnohem výraznější roli a je to za mě hodně dobře. Kde mi v minulých dílech přišlo, že hlavním tahounem je Sandor a Jesse se jenom tak veze, tak tady uvidíme, nejenom že umí být řádně silná, když to situace potřebuje, ale místy mě z jejích inteligentních postřehů až mrazilo. Narazíme tu na farmářskou kolonii a na kolonii včel a o pořádnou akci rozhodně nebude nouze. Tenhle díl mi až připomínal Walking Dead jenom se zvířaty místo zombíků. A stejně jako první kniha i tahle končí tak férovým cliffhangerem, že nevím, jak vydržím čekat na další díl.
Mohlo by se vám líbit, pokud:
- pokud vám v minulém díle chyběla nějaká ta pořádná akce
- si chcete užít hlavní hrdinku ve výraznější roli
Spíš vás zklame, pokud:
- vám vadí číst příběhy, kde kladné postavy aby člověk spočítal na prstech jedné ruky
Mohlo by se vám líbit, pokud:
- pokud vám v minulém díle chyběla nějaká ta pořádná akce
- si chcete užít hlavní hrdinku ve výraznější roli
Spíš vás zklame, pokud:
- vám vadí číst příběhy, kde kladné postavy aby člověk spočítal na prstech jedné ruky
August 2, 2018
This is the best volume of this series so far. As the small band of survivors continues their search for safety, they find themselves pulled into a conflict between two settlements. And as they struggle to save themselves and everyone involved, it becomes evident that this new world is not so different from the old one as might be hoped.
Taking these characters deeper into the motivations and conflicts that shape them, Bennett is doing some interesting work with this premise, while also telling a gripping story of survival. Additionally, some of the artwork in this volume is absolutely stunning.
"Animosity" as a series started off a little shaky for my tastes, but it is quickly gaining momentum.
Taking these characters deeper into the motivations and conflicts that shape them, Bennett is doing some interesting work with this premise, while also telling a gripping story of survival. Additionally, some of the artwork in this volume is absolutely stunning.
"Animosity" as a series started off a little shaky for my tastes, but it is quickly gaining momentum.
September 20, 2018
Not since Grant Morrison We3 has there been a more profound take on the premise animal awakening. The bluntness and power of what could happen if, one day, our animals could think and talk is surpassed only by the strength of the artwork. Sandor, the bloodhound's protectiveness over Jesse, the little girl that owned him, is the apex around which this adventure turns. Each animal and animal tribe has it's own leader, language dialect, and baggage, including insects.
Not for the tenderhearted, my partner could not get past the first volume, so disturbed was she by the perspective of the story.
I couldn't put it down.
You should judge for yourself.
Not for the tenderhearted, my partner could not get past the first volume, so disturbed was she by the perspective of the story.
I couldn't put it down.
You should judge for yourself.
July 19, 2021
Traveling west, Jesse, Zandor and their friends run into a hive of bees. The bees give them an ultimatum: a farm nearby has stolen their queen to make the bees fertilize the crops; bring her back or else!
The result is something of a moral quagmire. The farm community is health and pleasant and they need the bees ... but the bees are awakened like the higher-order animals, so is it ethical? And why does the farm have no women around (I really like the line "If you go into a place and there's no women there, be careful — or leave.")? We also learn something about Zandor and Jesse's mom that will undoubtedly be explored later.
The result is something of a moral quagmire. The farm community is health and pleasant and they need the bees ... but the bees are awakened like the higher-order animals, so is it ethical? And why does the farm have no women around (I really like the line "If you go into a place and there's no women there, be careful — or leave.")? We also learn something about Zandor and Jesse's mom that will undoubtedly be explored later.
January 24, 2020
Volume three and Jessie's journey to find her brother continues. All goes smoothly until they encounter a swarm of bees whose queen has been kidnapped by a nearby hamlet of people and animals. Jessie and Kyle are forced to help the bees find their queen and as they do so they encounter a cat from their past.
This volume takes us back towards the time before the wake and we get to learn a bit more about Jessie's family and her past. The artwork is good and the series comtinues to deliver interesting twists and turns.
This volume takes us back towards the time before the wake and we get to learn a bit more about Jessie's family and her past. The artwork is good and the series comtinues to deliver interesting twists and turns.
January 26, 2020
I see it OK to give this three and a half stars – it's a meaty diversion from the main books, but then too much about this series has seemed a diversion to me. Showing once more that humans living alongside animals must always involve one side having power over the other, a seemingly idyllic refuge for humans seemingly collaborating with animals in a farm environment is seen to be a lot more one-sided. It's certainly a dramatic arc, but it still feels like part of a muddled whole, which still prevents me from rating any part of it highly.
May 2, 2019
I was already in love with this series, and then Vol. 3 took it to another level! 6 out of 5 stars! As the world-building continues somewhat slowly, we still don't know what caused The Awakening, but we finally get to address a hegemonic hierarchy that places insects at the bottom, even though they, too, can speak and organize. Bees! I love bees! Thanks to the artists and whatever digital effects studios they're using, this volume has some of the most gorgeous, surreal, stunning splash pages I've seen in a comic book.
November 9, 2019
In this volume, we learn that even the insects have awoken and feel and think just as much as the rest of the world now. But this doesn't make a difference to man as many try to continue building up a new society to what it once was. And with Jesse separated from her most trusted companion, how will things turn out for her now?
January 22, 2020
You know how there are super deep reads and then there are fun reads? And sometimes you can be both, but it's rare?
This is mostly fun with some deep peppered in there in a way I can't describe. There's someone out there that read this before a lot of other stories and therefore more of it is fresh and nuanced.
I kind of envy those readers. I'd liked to have read this with their eyes.
This is mostly fun with some deep peppered in there in a way I can't describe. There's someone out there that read this before a lot of other stories and therefore more of it is fresh and nuanced.
I kind of envy those readers. I'd liked to have read this with their eyes.
January 27, 2022
The Swarm (#9-13). This is Animosity back at its height. The core conflict, between farmers and bees, is a nuanced one, because the farmers need the bees to survive. But they still don't look like good guys. On top of that we've got exciting action, shocking losses, and a heel turn that's been foreshadowed. All around, another very readable volume, with some depth [5/5].
May 17, 2023
Continues in the vein of vol. 2. But I still don't love all the flashbacks. Not a big fan of flashbacks. I know you're hiding a big secret but it can be hard to keep track of it all.
Also, human-level intelligent talking bees? What a different world this would be, as we are so freaking dependent on them.
I wanna keep reading but there are no more volumes available in the library system! Alas.
Also, human-level intelligent talking bees? What a different world this would be, as we are so freaking dependent on them.
I wanna keep reading but there are no more volumes available in the library system! Alas.
July 18, 2020
192/365
Crítica moderada: Kyle, espero que mueras entre insoportables dolores por hacerle eso a Jesse y Sandor. Te mereces todo lo malo que te pase.
Gran volumen, aunque un pelín más lento que el anterior, que me pareció maravilloso.
Crítica moderada: Kyle, espero que mueras entre insoportables dolores por hacerle eso a Jesse y Sandor. Te mereces todo lo malo que te pase.
Gran volumen, aunque un pelín más lento que el anterior, que me pareció maravilloso.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2026
The group face a real moral dilemma when they encounter a sentient beehive and the human/animal colony who is exploiting them, and Kyle finally starts to show his true colours. Another great instalment in the series, with awesome artwork to boot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2018
"You'll always hurt others, to the degree you can get away with it."
Ouch. Accurate indictment of humanity's shitty ways is accurate.
Ouch. Accurate indictment of humanity's shitty ways is accurate.
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