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Sweet Tooth #1
Sweet Tooth, Vol. 1: Out of the Deep Woods
Jeff Lemire's acclaimed new series introduce Gus, a rare new breed of human/animal hybrid who was raised in isolation following a pandemic that struck a decade earlier. Now, with the death of his father, he's left to fend for himself . . . until he meets a hulking drifter named Jepperd, who promises to help him. Jepperd and Gus set out on a post-apocalyptic journey into the devastated American landscape to find 'The Preserve,' a refuge for hybrids.
Collecting: Sweet Tooth 1-5
Collecting: Sweet Tooth 1-5
128 pages, Paperback
First published May 18, 2010
204 people are currently reading
17360 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Lemire
1,398 books3,867 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Jeff Lemire is a New York Times bestselling and award winning author, and creator of the acclaimed graphic novels Sweet Tooth, Essex County, The Underwater Welder, Trillium, Plutona, Black Hammer, Descender, Royal City, and Gideon Falls. His upcoming projects include a host of series and original graphic novels, including the fantasy series Ascender with Dustin Nguyen.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Jeff Lemire is a New York Times bestselling and award winning author, and creator of the acclaimed graphic novels Sweet Tooth, Essex County, The Underwater Welder, Trillium, Plutona, Black Hammer, Descender, Royal City, and Gideon Falls. His upcoming projects include a host of series and original graphic novels, including the fantasy series Ascender with Dustin Nguyen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,307 reviews
May 28, 2017
This comic was sitting on my desk, and my seven-year-old saw it sitting there.
"Dad. That's a weird-looking comic," he said.
And it was only then I realized how right he was. The cover does look weird, and, quite frankly, like nothing I'd pick up out of curiosity in the comic shop. If I hadn't known the author and liked his work, I never would have picked it up.
Luckily, I'm a fan of Jeff Lemire's work. So I didn't let the cover scare me off.
Don't let it scare you off, either. It's good stuff.
(You're extra likely to enjoy it if you like comics along the lines of Y-The Last Man, Revival, or Walking Dead. (Though it's nowhere near as dark as the last of these.))
"Dad. That's a weird-looking comic," he said.
And it was only then I realized how right he was. The cover does look weird, and, quite frankly, like nothing I'd pick up out of curiosity in the comic shop. If I hadn't known the author and liked his work, I never would have picked it up.
Luckily, I'm a fan of Jeff Lemire's work. So I didn't let the cover scare me off.
Don't let it scare you off, either. It's good stuff.
(You're extra likely to enjoy it if you like comics along the lines of Y-The Last Man, Revival, or Walking Dead. (Though it's nowhere near as dark as the last of these.))
June 4, 2021
To be honest, I saw the flannel shirt on the front, thought it was another of Lemire's slice of life stories, and ran away. And I remember looking it up and seeing these black and white drawings, which just kind of solidified the idea that it was another Essex County.
Also, I really don't like Lemire as an artist. I've yet to see anything remotely pleasing to the eye that he's drawn. Sweet Tooth is no exception.
But it's not bad enough to make me want to stop reading the story, so there's that.
Alright. A lot of my friends have been saying this is a great story. And I just saw the trailer for the Netflix show, and that shit looked really interesting, so I went ahead and picked this first volume up. Well, after one of my good friends (The Chad) informed me that I was an idiot and this wasn't a black and white comic.
Grammarly keeps trying to tell me that The Chad is incorrect with a big angry red line. Grammarly is wrong. Chad is a wizard. If wizards knew everything about comics, that is.
Anyway. I finally read this.
Ehhhh.
Gotta say I'm not all that impressed. This hillbilly deer-boy who has never been out of the woods goes on an adventure after his father dies. And he narrates it in his 9 year old hillbilly voice.
What the fuck, Dad? You found the time to teach him how to read the Bible and grow food, but you couldn't be bothered to teach him how to speak? Then again, maybe pappa was a mountain man? But if I find out that his dad was a doctor or something later on down the line, I'm going to be pissed.
Ok. I'm guessing this gets better as it goes on, so I'm going to plow ahead.
Also, I really don't like Lemire as an artist. I've yet to see anything remotely pleasing to the eye that he's drawn. Sweet Tooth is no exception.
But it's not bad enough to make me want to stop reading the story, so there's that.
Alright. A lot of my friends have been saying this is a great story. And I just saw the trailer for the Netflix show, and that shit looked really interesting, so I went ahead and picked this first volume up. Well, after one of my good friends (The Chad) informed me that I was an idiot and this wasn't a black and white comic.
Grammarly keeps trying to tell me that The Chad is incorrect with a big angry red line. Grammarly is wrong. Chad is a wizard. If wizards knew everything about comics, that is.
Anyway. I finally read this.
Ehhhh.
Gotta say I'm not all that impressed. This hillbilly deer-boy who has never been out of the woods goes on an adventure after his father dies. And he narrates it in his 9 year old hillbilly voice.
What the fuck, Dad? You found the time to teach him how to read the Bible and grow food, but you couldn't be bothered to teach him how to speak? Then again, maybe pappa was a mountain man? But if I find out that his dad was a doctor or something later on down the line, I'm going to be pissed.
Ok. I'm guessing this gets better as it goes on, so I'm going to plow ahead.
June 2, 2021
This was too damn sad! Loved the damn artwork though. Probably read the next damn book.
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
January 21, 2022
"Nebraska...the good life."
Damn. Why did I wait so long to read this? Drop all your shitty books and read this right now.
I'll give you the very short version. This is a post-apocalyptic Southern gothic. Sparse storytelling like Robert Kirkman's Outcast. Down to earth tragic characters. Yet somehow tender in their compassion. And in Gus aka Sweet Tooth's case, his innocence. Mr. Jepperd is a great fatherly yet mysterious figure whom I want to know more about. And sweet jesus, Gus is one naive boy to be living in this world.
Jeff Lemire doesn't always illustrate his comics but he should. Because this is great. Rough and bold and deeply saturated colors. The artwork is a perfect match to the "bittersweet" drama that is Sweet Tooth. Check it out now!
June 13, 2021
Post-apocalyptic fiction, a comics series, Volume 1, bearing some resemblance to Cormac McCarthy's The Road, in that it is in a dark future time where resources are thin and people have become more violent in competing for those resources. So it's grim in places. And features a generation of children who, like the boy nicknamed Sweet Tooth, is born with hybrid human/animal features, for not yet clear reasons. Times seem desperate, frightening.
But Sweet Tooth is also, like other Lemire stories, and like McCarthy's The Road, a father-son tale, with the potential to say something important about parenting in a crisis. The artwork is great, a little creepy, and a little frightening, edgy, and already powerfully affecting.
5 stars for the series, 4 for the opening volume.
Re-reading as I prepare to begin the Netflix series.
But Sweet Tooth is also, like other Lemire stories, and like McCarthy's The Road, a father-son tale, with the potential to say something important about parenting in a crisis. The artwork is great, a little creepy, and a little frightening, edgy, and already powerfully affecting.
5 stars for the series, 4 for the opening volume.
Re-reading as I prepare to begin the Netflix series.
September 7, 2021
He’s adorable!
“There was five golden rules. My dad made me write them over and over until I knew them like I knew my own name...
Number five: never have a fire in the daytime, 'cause people could see the smoke and come and get us.
Number four: if I ever see anyone other than my dad, I run, and keep running.
Number three: always say my prayers, so as God don't get mad at me and decide to come make me sick too.
Numer two: never forget to pray for my momma, 'cause she was the best and prettiest lady God ever made.
Number one: never, ever leave the woods.”
Absolutely stunning and heart breaking!
One of those comics you just can’t put down! The storyline is fast paced and quirky. The characters are well developed and have disparate traits!
This tells the story of a world where most humans no longer exist! The sick has wiped out more than half the human population and to make things even more intriguing, a new species of hybrid have come into existence! So the story revolves around the leading character Gus who’s a hybrid himself! He’s got lovely little antlers and a smile that would brighten your day up! (Or maybe I’m just assuming that because I watched the Netflix series first).
Gus being a hybrid is hunted by numerous bad men! People believe that the hybrids are what caused the ghastly disease that laid waste to the world! But is it really….?
I definitely recommend this comic to anyone out there who’s a lover of paranormal storylines!
June 6, 2021
5.0 Stars
This is an incredibly engrossing post apocalyptic graphic novel. The character development is fantastic. Within a short number of pages, I became so emotionally invested in Gus. I only wish I had started reading this series sooner. Now I am dying to get my hands on volume two!
This is an incredibly engrossing post apocalyptic graphic novel. The character development is fantastic. Within a short number of pages, I became so emotionally invested in Gus. I only wish I had started reading this series sooner. Now I am dying to get my hands on volume two!
December 31, 2017
3.5 Stars
There was nothing explicitly wrong with this, it just reads very much like an intro to the world and a set-up for later graphic novels. Nothing really massive happened; it reads kind of like a prequel. I should pick up volume 2 while it's fresh in my mind, but knowing me, that probably won't happen lol.
I think something significant about this book is that it's written in a southern dialect and I'm typically someone who hates that, but I didn't mind it in this book. So kudos. Not my favorite art style, but the plot was interesting enough for me to read this in one sitting and everything was always 100% understandable, which is sometimes hard to find in sci-fi/apocalyptic graphic novels.
There was nothing explicitly wrong with this, it just reads very much like an intro to the world and a set-up for later graphic novels. Nothing really massive happened; it reads kind of like a prequel. I should pick up volume 2 while it's fresh in my mind, but knowing me, that probably won't happen lol.
I think something significant about this book is that it's written in a southern dialect and I'm typically someone who hates that, but I didn't mind it in this book. So kudos. Not my favorite art style, but the plot was interesting enough for me to read this in one sitting and everything was always 100% understandable, which is sometimes hard to find in sci-fi/apocalyptic graphic novels.
January 13, 2022
BAM!
That’s how you do it, Jeff Lemire coming in hot from the cheap seats to post a very entertaining and thought provoking post-apocalyptic collection of his popular (and for good reason) series about a young boy, a hybrid human / deer following a calamitous pandemic that killed most of humanity.
Lemire leaves plenty to guess at as we are introduced to Gus and his father, who is very ill and not long for this world living in the woods. Gus’s dad has warned Gus about not leaving the woods and of the dangers that await him if he ever does.
When Gus discovers some hunters, he learns all too well that his father had protected him from what the world has become.
Fans of the PA genre will draw comparisons to Cormac McCarthy’s The Road as there is time on the trail to The Preserve between Gus and his protector. But Lemire has plenty of twists and turns and surprises to keep us guessing.
This can be sad and disturbing but it’s all worth it and Lemire has crafted a gem.
That’s how you do it, Jeff Lemire coming in hot from the cheap seats to post a very entertaining and thought provoking post-apocalyptic collection of his popular (and for good reason) series about a young boy, a hybrid human / deer following a calamitous pandemic that killed most of humanity.
Lemire leaves plenty to guess at as we are introduced to Gus and his father, who is very ill and not long for this world living in the woods. Gus’s dad has warned Gus about not leaving the woods and of the dangers that await him if he ever does.
When Gus discovers some hunters, he learns all too well that his father had protected him from what the world has become.
Fans of the PA genre will draw comparisons to Cormac McCarthy’s The Road as there is time on the trail to The Preserve between Gus and his protector. But Lemire has plenty of twists and turns and surprises to keep us guessing.
This can be sad and disturbing but it’s all worth it and Lemire has crafted a gem.
June 15, 2021
Gus and his father have lived in the woods alone all of Gus's life. When his father passes away, he's left to fend for himself. His father has warned him to never leave the woods. See Gus is a hybrid. He's human with antlers and deer ears. One day he meets Jeppard when Jeppard saves him from two hunters. There's a plague that's killed off most people and hybrids are the only new children being born. Those who are left are on the lookout for hybrids as their are bounties out for them. Gus is also unique in that he is 9 when the plague only began 7 years ago.
I like this world Lemire has created. It's got a lot of Cormac McCarthy's The Road mixed into it, especially the father / son dynamic. A lot of people complain about Jeff Lemire's artwork. It's scratchy and rudimentary. I find it really works here though. There's less line work in the figures compared to Lemire's normal art and it looks much better for it. Lemire is also very good at conveying emotion and especially sadness. Regardless, I found this to be just as good the 2nd time reading it.
I like this world Lemire has created. It's got a lot of Cormac McCarthy's The Road mixed into it, especially the father / son dynamic. A lot of people complain about Jeff Lemire's artwork. It's scratchy and rudimentary. I find it really works here though. There's less line work in the figures compared to Lemire's normal art and it looks much better for it. Lemire is also very good at conveying emotion and especially sadness. Regardless, I found this to be just as good the 2nd time reading it.
January 24, 2025
4,5/5 stars
September 19, 2011
Gus or "Sweet Tooth", as he's nicknamed, is a young boy who lives in the woods with his father. Some sort of freak accident has mutated Sweet Tooth so that he has antlers on his head. When his father dies, he ventures out of the woods where he is ambushed by hunters and is saved by a mysterious, extremely tough man called Jepperd. With no choice but to follow his guardian, Sweet Tooth embarks on a journey out of the deep woods and into the wide world with Jepperd. But who is this man and why is he helping Sweet Tooth? What happened to the world where horses are now the sole mode of transport? Why does Sweet Tooth have antlers?
The excellent Jeff Lemire begins his first serial comic with an excellent start. The post-apocalyptic world he creates has shades of Mad Max and Cormac McCarthy's "The Road" but it's definitely Lemire's vision you see on the page. From the brothel where the women dress like mutants to the roving gangs of humans wearing animal masks, something very strange is going on here.
Lemire's art is also the best he's ever done, with Jose Villarrubia adding vibrant colours to bring the world to life.
Lemire keeps the reader guessing throughout the story, answering just enough to keep you going but allowing enough to remain unanswered so you'll come back for Book 2, especially with a cliffhanger like the one at the end.
A promising start to an original series.
The excellent Jeff Lemire begins his first serial comic with an excellent start. The post-apocalyptic world he creates has shades of Mad Max and Cormac McCarthy's "The Road" but it's definitely Lemire's vision you see on the page. From the brothel where the women dress like mutants to the roving gangs of humans wearing animal masks, something very strange is going on here.
Lemire's art is also the best he's ever done, with Jose Villarrubia adding vibrant colours to bring the world to life.
Lemire keeps the reader guessing throughout the story, answering just enough to keep you going but allowing enough to remain unanswered so you'll come back for Book 2, especially with a cliffhanger like the one at the end.
A promising start to an original series.
July 12, 2016
Hmm. I'm not sure what I think yet but I have the second volume ready to go because I know from experience that comic volumes are just too little story for me to get invested with only the first one.
I don't really enjoy the art style, although it's very fitting for this story/world.
I wish I knew more about anything. This volume contained 5 individual comic issues that make up one full story arc, but it didn't feel like a complete arc to me. More world building could have been done. As of right now, it just feels like any typical zombie type of world, except not zombies? (But seriously, I don't know because it hasn't told me yet.)
But I mean, I flew through it.
I don't really enjoy the art style, although it's very fitting for this story/world.
I wish I knew more about anything. This volume contained 5 individual comic issues that make up one full story arc, but it didn't feel like a complete arc to me. More world building could have been done. As of right now, it just feels like any typical zombie type of world, except not zombies? (But seriously, I don't know because it hasn't told me yet.)
But I mean, I flew through it.
April 25, 2024
I've been wanting to read this for years, and am pleased to have finally started. This is a very good first volume, introducing a sweet boy (hybrid?) with antlers, first living with his father, although not for long.
I flew through this, and can hardly wait to see what comes next! 🍫
May 8, 2015
Bullet Review:
That was a pleasant surprise. Weird, but interesting and gritty too. I have no clue how it's possible for these half-human, half-animal kids to exist, but hopefully it's explained in later books.
That was a pleasant surprise. Weird, but interesting and gritty too. I have no clue how it's possible for these half-human, half-animal kids to exist, but hopefully it's explained in later books.
July 23, 2025
PT Jeff Lemire é, sem dúvida, um dos melhores autores da atualidade, com uma vasta obra publicada — muito dela ainda por descobrir da minha parte. Sweet Tooth é um desses títulos que há muito queria ler e, finalmente, chegou o momento de o começar.
Confesso que tenho sempre algum receio quando pego em obras muito faladas — nem sempre consigo perceber o motivo do entusiasmo. Mas neste caso, bastou um volume para perceber tudo. A fama é merecida.
Adorei. Tudo. Absolutamente tudo. E sinto que vou devorar esta série num instante.
--
EN Jeff Lemire is, without a doubt, one of the best writers working today, with an impressive body of published work — much of which I’ve yet to explore. Sweet Tooth is one of those titles I’ve been meaning to read for a long time, and I’m finally diving in.
I’ll admit, I’m always a bit hesitant when starting highly praised series — sometimes I just don’t get the hype. But that wasn’t the case here. Just one volume in, and I already understand why this one’s so acclaimed.
I loved it. Every bit of it. And I have a feeling I’ll be devouring this series in no time.
Confesso que tenho sempre algum receio quando pego em obras muito faladas — nem sempre consigo perceber o motivo do entusiasmo. Mas neste caso, bastou um volume para perceber tudo. A fama é merecida.
Adorei. Tudo. Absolutamente tudo. E sinto que vou devorar esta série num instante.
--
EN Jeff Lemire is, without a doubt, one of the best writers working today, with an impressive body of published work — much of which I’ve yet to explore. Sweet Tooth is one of those titles I’ve been meaning to read for a long time, and I’m finally diving in.
I’ll admit, I’m always a bit hesitant when starting highly praised series — sometimes I just don’t get the hype. But that wasn’t the case here. Just one volume in, and I already understand why this one’s so acclaimed.
I loved it. Every bit of it. And I have a feeling I’ll be devouring this series in no time.
February 9, 2017
A decade ago the Affliction raged like a forest fire, killing billions, and the only children born since are a new breed of humun/ animal hybrid. Gus is one of these endangered children, a boy with a sweet soul, a sweeter tooth—and the features of a deer.

But kids like Gus have a price on their heads. When vicious hunters descend on his isolated forest home, a mysterious and violent man called Jepperd rescues Gus.
I liked Jepperd when he showed up, he kind of reminded me of Mike Ehrmantraut from Breaking Bad.
They’re both pretty badass.

(He's one of my favorites from the show!)
But back to this story, Jepperd continues to protect Gus from the bad guys, but can Gus fully trust him?

I really thought he could trust him, but then Jepperd stopped talking to Gus towards the end of their journey. And I just knew something bad was going to happen.

But it still broke my heart.

Overall, it was a pretty interesting volume— and I’m still rooting for Jepperd to come back?? Maybe in volume 2?
Also, that feeling of accomplishment when the title finally makes sense:
*Note: I'm an Amazon Affiliate. If you're interested in buying Sweet Tooth, Vol. 1, just click on the image below to go through my link. I'll make a small commission!*
This review and more can be found on my blog.

But kids like Gus have a price on their heads. When vicious hunters descend on his isolated forest home, a mysterious and violent man called Jepperd rescues Gus.
I liked Jepperd when he showed up, he kind of reminded me of Mike Ehrmantraut from Breaking Bad.

They’re both pretty badass.
(He's one of my favorites from the show!)
But back to this story, Jepperd continues to protect Gus from the bad guys, but can Gus fully trust him?

I really thought he could trust him, but then Jepperd stopped talking to Gus towards the end of their journey. And I just knew something bad was going to happen.

But it still broke my heart.

Overall, it was a pretty interesting volume— and I’m still rooting for Jepperd to come back?? Maybe in volume 2?
Also, that feeling of accomplishment when the title finally makes sense:
*Note: I'm an Amazon Affiliate. If you're interested in buying Sweet Tooth, Vol. 1, just click on the image below to go through my link. I'll make a small commission!*
This review and more can be found on my blog.
February 12, 2016
Post-apocalyptic mutant animal-hybrid children being hunted down? I'm in.
August 19, 2018
A post apocalyptic mutant western. Weird in all of the best ways with a rough art style that fits its gritty and violent tone perfectly.
July 7, 2015
[4.5 Stars]
October 3, 2021
Will I ever stop complaining about how certain graphic novels are too short, more like idea starters rather than full bodied works.
While there are questions to be answered in the "Sweet Tooth" volumes that follow, THIS time it was okay to do without explanations (about the apocalypse, about the animal-human fledglings...)--because the journey is to begin, our character leaves home with a tough, companion. Already a bunch of The Hero's Journey has been described--I absolutely want the second volume to see where this goes. At this point, Lemire has the reader and can take him/her wherever!
While there are questions to be answered in the "Sweet Tooth" volumes that follow, THIS time it was okay to do without explanations (about the apocalypse, about the animal-human fledglings...)--because the journey is to begin, our character leaves home with a tough, companion. Already a bunch of The Hero's Journey has been described--I absolutely want the second volume to see where this goes. At this point, Lemire has the reader and can take him/her wherever!
May 14, 2021
I just saw the trailer for the upcoming Netflix series, which looks great, and they said, "Based on the beloved comics series!" And since I had never heard of the "beloved comics" I thought I would give it a try.
The story is good, but it's not unlike a lot of post apocalyptic stories, the difference being that there are animal human hybrids, and that Sweet Tooth may have been the first of them. What's keeping me from being excited to read more volumes is that I find the art to be aggressively ugly. I honestly couldn't tell if some of the people were mutated or dead or injured, because they all looked horrible, with weird misshapen faces and bodies, and shadows (or maybe bruises?) coming across the panels at different angles.
The story is good, but it's not unlike a lot of post apocalyptic stories, the difference being that there are animal human hybrids, and that Sweet Tooth may have been the first of them. What's keeping me from being excited to read more volumes is that I find the art to be aggressively ugly. I honestly couldn't tell if some of the people were mutated or dead or injured, because they all looked horrible, with weird misshapen faces and bodies, and shadows (or maybe bruises?) coming across the panels at different angles.
June 18, 2019
Re-read! 06.18.19
What the heck, I was under the impression that the first volume was the weakest (I read up until volume 5 in 2016 and never finished the story because I wasn't ready to say goodbye), but with this re-read I have to change my original rating. Up to 4 stars now. It was so good!
Maybe it was because I was happy to be back with Gus and Jepperd. Well, happy-sad because this story has always affected me. And I might have picked this one up because I'm feeling a bit melancholic as well.
But it was perfect nonetheless. Rediscovering the world, the characters and the sadness. Reading Lemire again, I needed it.
Original Review:
3 Stars
In a post-apocalyptic world, where almost a decade ago an unknown plague killed most of humanity, Gus has lived all his life with his father in the woods. He's reclusive, afraid. You see, Gus is 9 years old and very special. Like most kids born after the plague hit, he was born different. He's a human-animal hybrid kid, he has a human body, but with antlers in his head. And although his father loves him very much, he tells him stories of people outside of the woods, of evil men and of horrors that do very bad things to people like Gus. So, when Gus's dad passes away, he's isolated, scared, alone, until one day where he encounters two hunters, and a man, Jepperd, who says can protect him. He talks about 'The Preserve', a refuge for kids like Gus. And then the journey out of the deep woods begins.
Listen, I'm intrigued. Even though there is not much story nor action so far, Lemire manages to create and build a wonderful, eerie tone and setting in this five issues and I really wanna know what happens next.
It's definitely a fascinating scenario, the world is a shit place and the ambience is so well-crafted. It seems like the worst of humanity has won and there are lots of elements from the original Mad Max that makes this so creepy to read. Also, the crude artwork of Lemire complements the setting and tone perfectly so far.
Seeing Gus's journey out of the woods, meeting people for the first time and seeing the state of the world is a bit heartbreaking, but I'm so interested in the characters, especially Jepperd.
The way this volume ends and knowing that this series is completed makes me super excited and curious to keep reading this.
Lemire, you better not disappoint me.
What the heck, I was under the impression that the first volume was the weakest (I read up until volume 5 in 2016 and never finished the story because I wasn't ready to say goodbye), but with this re-read I have to change my original rating. Up to 4 stars now. It was so good!
Maybe it was because I was happy to be back with Gus and Jepperd. Well, happy-sad because this story has always affected me. And I might have picked this one up because I'm feeling a bit melancholic as well.
But it was perfect nonetheless. Rediscovering the world, the characters and the sadness. Reading Lemire again, I needed it.
Original Review:
3 Stars
In a post-apocalyptic world, where almost a decade ago an unknown plague killed most of humanity, Gus has lived all his life with his father in the woods. He's reclusive, afraid. You see, Gus is 9 years old and very special. Like most kids born after the plague hit, he was born different. He's a human-animal hybrid kid, he has a human body, but with antlers in his head. And although his father loves him very much, he tells him stories of people outside of the woods, of evil men and of horrors that do very bad things to people like Gus. So, when Gus's dad passes away, he's isolated, scared, alone, until one day where he encounters two hunters, and a man, Jepperd, who says can protect him. He talks about 'The Preserve', a refuge for kids like Gus. And then the journey out of the deep woods begins.
Listen, I'm intrigued. Even though there is not much story nor action so far, Lemire manages to create and build a wonderful, eerie tone and setting in this five issues and I really wanna know what happens next.
It's definitely a fascinating scenario, the world is a shit place and the ambience is so well-crafted. It seems like the worst of humanity has won and there are lots of elements from the original Mad Max that makes this so creepy to read. Also, the crude artwork of Lemire complements the setting and tone perfectly so far.
Seeing Gus's journey out of the woods, meeting people for the first time and seeing the state of the world is a bit heartbreaking, but I'm so interested in the characters, especially Jepperd.
The way this volume ends and knowing that this series is completed makes me super excited and curious to keep reading this.
Lemire, you better not disappoint me.
March 19, 2022
This is a review of the entire series!
Gus is an anomaly, a boy with deer horns growing out of his head living alone in the woods with his religious and protective father. He's been told all his life that the world beyond the woods is dark and dangerous, that he must never venture beyond them. After being attacked by a group of violent gunmen, he's forced out of the woods and into the care of the rugged Mr. Jepperd. Life outside the woods is brutal and mysterious. The world has been ended by a plague and animal-hybrids just like Gus are threatening to take humanity's place; with very little will of their own, mind you. Humanity doesn't go down without a fight though. In what could be their final moments, they kill, experiment and attempt to drive the animal hybrids to extinction before they can take their place as the world's new masters.
A very unique take on the apocalyptic horror genre, more akin to a twisted fairy tale with cute animal people being put through some truly terrifying situations just to survive in a world that wants them dead for existing. The rough bond between Gus and Jepperd is sometimes grim and frustrating, but the two banding together leads to some very touching moments. Jepperd is a merciless hardass with anger problems and a deathly bleak backstory, but Gus brings out his inner fatherly instincts and he learns to feel love after experiencing nothing but hatred and contempt for so long.
Gus is the main character, but Jepperd is the true star of the show here. The dynamic between the two really reminded me of the father and son duo from Cormac McCarthy's The Road. It isn't always pretty, but under such grim circumstances, it's hard for everything to be all sunshine and rainbows. The side characters, both human and hybrids bring a lot to the table with their own charming personalties and flaws. From a beaver boy who can barely speak a coherent sentence to the sympathetic brother of a heartless soldier who gets along with animal people better than his own kind.
As the story goes on, it begins to introduce some interesting religious, sci-fi and cosmic horror elements as well. This is all complimented by a uniquely bizarre, hyper surrealistic art style that looks like eerie cave murals from the stone ages come to life.
Gus is an anomaly, a boy with deer horns growing out of his head living alone in the woods with his religious and protective father. He's been told all his life that the world beyond the woods is dark and dangerous, that he must never venture beyond them. After being attacked by a group of violent gunmen, he's forced out of the woods and into the care of the rugged Mr. Jepperd. Life outside the woods is brutal and mysterious. The world has been ended by a plague and animal-hybrids just like Gus are threatening to take humanity's place; with very little will of their own, mind you. Humanity doesn't go down without a fight though. In what could be their final moments, they kill, experiment and attempt to drive the animal hybrids to extinction before they can take their place as the world's new masters.
A very unique take on the apocalyptic horror genre, more akin to a twisted fairy tale with cute animal people being put through some truly terrifying situations just to survive in a world that wants them dead for existing. The rough bond between Gus and Jepperd is sometimes grim and frustrating, but the two banding together leads to some very touching moments. Jepperd is a merciless hardass with anger problems and a deathly bleak backstory, but Gus brings out his inner fatherly instincts and he learns to feel love after experiencing nothing but hatred and contempt for so long.
Gus is the main character, but Jepperd is the true star of the show here. The dynamic between the two really reminded me of the father and son duo from Cormac McCarthy's The Road. It isn't always pretty, but under such grim circumstances, it's hard for everything to be all sunshine and rainbows. The side characters, both human and hybrids bring a lot to the table with their own charming personalties and flaws. From a beaver boy who can barely speak a coherent sentence to the sympathetic brother of a heartless soldier who gets along with animal people better than his own kind.
As the story goes on, it begins to introduce some interesting religious, sci-fi and cosmic horror elements as well. This is all complimented by a uniquely bizarre, hyper surrealistic art style that looks like eerie cave murals from the stone ages come to life.
February 28, 2018
Gus is a 9yr old hybrid--half deer, half human. The world has been wiped out by a plague, with few survivors left. Gus lives in the woods with his father and has never seen another human being. His dad is dying and has warned Gus to never leave the safety of the woods or he will encounter fire and evil.
The father dies and for the first time, Gus sees men. The only problem is they are hunting for hybrids just like him. In steps Jepperd and saves Gus' life from these two men. Gus doesn't know who Jepperd is but realizes that it's the man he's been seeing in his nightmares. He's the bad man. However, Gus no longer has anyone left in the world. He decides to follow the man.
And sure enough, once out of the safety of the woods, Gus starts to see the evil in the world his father warned him of.
There is a sense of doom and fear in Gus. Is this man really trying to protect Gus or does he have his own ulterior motives in helping Gus? Jepperd has promised to take Gus to The Preserve, (a place Gus has heard is safe for hybrids like him), but
I was immediately taken by Gus. I felt like my heart was in my chest reading Gus' story, seeing him all alone in the world, hoping that Jepperd is one of the good guys. There's a sense of something bad right from the start. I felt so scared for Gus and cared for him and his well-being. I can't say enough about how exciting this series is. I absolutely loved it!
The father dies and for the first time, Gus sees men. The only problem is they are hunting for hybrids just like him. In steps Jepperd and saves Gus' life from these two men. Gus doesn't know who Jepperd is but realizes that it's the man he's been seeing in his nightmares. He's the bad man. However, Gus no longer has anyone left in the world. He decides to follow the man.
And sure enough, once out of the safety of the woods, Gus starts to see the evil in the world his father warned him of.
There is a sense of doom and fear in Gus. Is this man really trying to protect Gus or does he have his own ulterior motives in helping Gus? Jepperd has promised to take Gus to The Preserve, (a place Gus has heard is safe for hybrids like him), but
I was immediately taken by Gus. I felt like my heart was in my chest reading Gus' story, seeing him all alone in the world, hoping that Jepperd is one of the good guys. There's a sense of something bad right from the start. I felt so scared for Gus and cared for him and his well-being. I can't say enough about how exciting this series is. I absolutely loved it!
May 19, 2021
There are tons of post apocalyptic stories in the market now, many follow a zombie outbreak or nuclear war, but Sweet Tooth here has something different. People are dying because of an incurable disease and it is somehow linked to the birth of half-animal, half-human babies.
Sweet tooth has an exceptionally unique premise, decent characterisation and build up of forecoming events. The art isn't great, but somehow fits with the setting of the story.
3.5/5 stars
Sweet tooth has an exceptionally unique premise, decent characterisation and build up of forecoming events. The art isn't great, but somehow fits with the setting of the story.
3.5/5 stars
February 23, 2018
First I wanted to let people like me know that fortunately this is not some anti-hunting, anti-meat, PETA s***. I was slightly concerned that this would be some crap along the same lines as Okja or The Magic Finger but written by Lemire so slightly more tolerable but fortunately it’s Lemire and not that other bulls*** so... yay! Okay, on to the review.
What’s it about?
It’s a kinda post apocalyptic wasteland world where kids 7 or under are half-human, half-animal hybrids for some reason and people 8 and older are dying from some mysterious disease, that’s really all I can say without giving spoilers unfortunately.
Pros:
The story is very interesting and never gets too boring.
The art is pretty good.
The characters are very interesting.
This book has a surprising amount of bloody action scenes throughout and I really like that of course!
There’s some great dialogue in this book!
The narrative is very good and well written. I like how it’s sorta like the main character is telling me the story.
Cons:
I was surprised by how predictable this one is. I had most of it figured out pretty early on.
The ending sucks. Seriously, it’s a shame that good books are able to have such horrible endings.
This book really could’ve used some more world building. It pretty much just goes like this: kids are part animal and older folks are dying... story time! Really? Maybe I just think too much but I really could’ve used some explanations for... well, anything really.
Overall:
It’s a good book with an exciting story and great action scenes. I definitely would recommend it to fans of Lemire’s work, I just had some problems. I will be continuing this series and I think this volume certainly deserves...
4/5
What’s it about?
It’s a kinda post apocalyptic wasteland world where kids 7 or under are half-human, half-animal hybrids for some reason and people 8 and older are dying from some mysterious disease, that’s really all I can say without giving spoilers unfortunately.
Pros:
The story is very interesting and never gets too boring.
The art is pretty good.
The characters are very interesting.
This book has a surprising amount of bloody action scenes throughout and I really like that of course!
There’s some great dialogue in this book!
The narrative is very good and well written. I like how it’s sorta like the main character is telling me the story.
Cons:
I was surprised by how predictable this one is. I had most of it figured out pretty early on.
The ending sucks. Seriously, it’s a shame that good books are able to have such horrible endings.
This book really could’ve used some more world building. It pretty much just goes like this: kids are part animal and older folks are dying... story time! Really? Maybe I just think too much but I really could’ve used some explanations for... well, anything really.
Overall:
It’s a good book with an exciting story and great action scenes. I definitely would recommend it to fans of Lemire’s work, I just had some problems. I will be continuing this series and I think this volume certainly deserves...
4/5
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