WE3

WE3
Written by Grant Morrison
ISBN: 978-1401204952
Published by Vertigo

To Sum: WE3 is a story about three animals - a dog, a cat, and a rabbit - that are experimented on by the U.S. government and made into cybernetic killing machines. They escape and look for "home," but going there isn't going to be easy as the government wants the project, and them, decommissioned. The art is very good, and the "lost" posters just about break your heart.

Things to watch out for: Well, violence is a plenty in here given that the animals are killing machines. Oh, and there are modified rats and a mastiff in here as well. And there is some on screen death and bodies.

Should I have it in a library: As with a lot of Morrison stuff, there's a lot in here, and it's not just about violence. There are bigger ideas at hand - where is "home", how we treat animals, and more. And many people have admitted to crying during the reading of this. This is a slim graphic novel - only combining three issues - but there's a lot to chew on.

Who would like this: people with experience with graphic novels. This is not something you give to someone who's never experienced the genre before. Anyone who is thinking of reading Watchmen, give them this first. It's not as thick, or as heavy, as Watchmen, but it will get the thinking going. People who like both animal stories and robots would love this.

Where to shelve: Some places are rating this 14+, but to me, this goes in the adult section (which is 16+ where I am). Younger teens maybe able to follow the story, but there's a lot there. And there's a difference between reading and understanding.

It's hard not to feel for the animals in the story. You really want to give 1 a dog biscuit and tell him he's a good dog.

How I learned of it: I read it at a friend's house, and remembered it. When I was first hired, and given the okay to order graphic novels for the adult collection, this was in the first order.

Other reviews:

http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/111949504898976.htm
http://comics.ign.com/articles/673/673191p1.html
http://comicsworthreading.com/2009/03/31/we3/
http://www.grovel.org.uk/we3/
http://www.readaboutcomics.com/2005/01/28/we3/