Aftershock Comics 2017
Created & Written by Marguerite Bennett
Illustrated by Juan Doe
Lettered by Marshall Dillon
Well since the series began we’ve been wondering about the day the animals awoke. Marguerite and Juan bring us this tale from another point of view to show us what happened. I like that this ties into the main series in more ways than one. I like that we open up at the clinic that we saw where the rats came out of the walls and attacked. This keeps some continuity and gives us a look at a character we haven’t thought of since then.
I’ll say this I do like that the animals have a wide range of emotions from love of their human companions to seeking revenge for their capture and/or their treatment. We see this wide array in both interactions between the animals and with humans. Seeing the crab go after the seagull and what he kept saying well yeah that was a highlight for me. That Marguerite can inject that kind of humour into this situation that has some horrific events occurring is perfectly done.
There is no rhyme or reason as to which animals take what side and I think that is wonderfully representative to human culture. The incident that we see where a group of humans come to the aid of Sea Lion along with a few animals we see that there is compassion still even amidst the chaos. Adam North from the clinic in both openings he was the one who came to Irene’s rescue and as such the animals that have organised in the city have decided that he’s worthy of protection.
If this is the city where humans and animals coexist and live peacefully, well the later is subjective, that Sandor is trying to get to I can see why. This issue is only giving us a glimpse into how the structure of the city is started not how it’s come along or is working now. It’s just that the animals vouch for humans and they are living together in ways that benefit each other. Adam is being vouched for by the Sea Lion he saved but until she is well enough he’s being watched over by a bat. This bat is huge people and i’d swear it’s a real vampire and not just a vampire bat. Oh sweet mother of Pearl Bailey.
Juan does a marvelous job on the interiors here. I really enjoy the way he brings these animals to life. His use of page layouts through angles and perspective are extremely well done. I’d like to see more and better use of backgrounds but that’s just me though they do wonders in fleshing out panels and what’s going on and when used here they show that.
Marguerite continues to impress with not only her storytelling ability, I mean the structuring of this story is wonderfully done, but her wit is on full display through the dialogue here. The way we get to see these characters interact with one another and how Wintermute, who happens to be a genetic experiment in cross breeding, plans to build a city and culture here stirs the mind, imagination and definitely piques the interest.
I’m all for more of the Rise! It’s got that look we don’t get in the main series and it provides another unique point of view that works in concert with it’s counterpart to really tell the story of the world now.