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Uncle Gravy
Filter Fighter
Joined: 12 Dec 2008
Posts: 471
Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:34 pm |
 Post subject: WE3, by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely |
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Ok, before anything else, we'll take this bit by bit, and get into the real nitty-gritty later into the post.
Title: WE3
Author: Grant Morrison
Artist: Frank Quitely
Company: Vertigo
This is one of my favorite minis, not only because of a great concept and premise, but also for the art. Yes, I am an artfag, deal with it. You can download it here if you haven't read it:
Download Zip File Here
Summary(Do I have to say POSSIBLE SPOILERS)
WE3 is a group of test animals being used as weapons by suiting them up and somehow messing with their brain, such that they could engage in basic human speech and execute tactical plans that are too dangerous for actual humans. They are referred to by number: 1 is a dog and is the tank of the group, 2 is a cat and is the stealthy and speedy one, while 3 is a rabbit and the nuker (bombs, missiles, etc) of WE3. The plot is set in motion when the project is terminated, which is a euphemism for putting them to sleep (which is a euphemism for... yeah), and the scientist involved in training WE3 decides to set them free.
But of course, the government wouldn't want the masses to know about animal androids built to be "the new guns" of this world, so they send soldiers against them. And this is the point where I tell you to read the thing for yourself.
What I think
The first thing that caught my attention was of course the art and the design of the suits. These are not just "let's draw a dog, okay now put armor over the dog", they really look like they fit the current trend of simple, sleek, and clean, and that they could work for real. It helps a lot that Quitely seems to actually know how the anatomy of these animals work.
Some experimental or at least unusual techniques were used, like the X-Ray look into the truck in the first few pages and the fast, successive close-ups of different gory parts of a big gory picture. The expression of speed worked well for me. The "3d" frames in the third part didn't really work for me though. They felt like filler.
Now, I won't lie, sometimes the blood and gore was a bit jarring. I don't think anyone will get used to seeing the head of someone being ripped off by the upper jaw, a fingernail being ripped in two, or blood, guts, and pieces of bone escaping from mangled flesh. But to me, this is where Morrison's effective writing comes in. Because, yes, WE3 did commit bloody acts against people, and even killed an innocent dog and a father who did what anyone would do. But you are always reminded that, essentially, the scientists are the ones who messed with them - a dog, a cat, and a rabbit won't be able to, wouldn't want to, and wouldn't need to go around ripping other peoples' heads off. Not without modifications to the brain and an array of weapons to their disposal.
The simple and basic speech also helped, I think, to make the reader sympathize with them, make them seem like children. Which I guess they are. They were just looking for home. By the way, incoming MANLY TEARS:
This is the part where 3 gets shot in the head (or the part of the machinery which controls his speech, and presumably some of his combative AI), and 1 is forced to kill a man to protect WE3. ;__; There is no doubt that dog is my favorite of the three. Gud. Dog. ;__;
Now, while in the start, you'd have Roseanne (the scientist who could talk and train WE3 well) in a bad light because OMG animal cruelty, it's nice to know she finds redemption thru protecting 1.
I saw no other way for the story to end either, other than them being adopted by someone, but I can't help wishing they made it more believable than a homeless bum just immediately warming up to them, not even showing signs of surprise other than asking the rhetorical question "Who did this to you?". Seems too deus ex machina to me. It probably was because they limited themselves to three issues. But it actually surprised me that the scientist (guy with glasses) got redeemed in the end. Good job on closure.
Finally, I'd like you all to join me in pointedly ignoring the very big plothole of having living weapons without an effective "off" button. Seriously? No "press this button to deactivate"? Why the-
And that's why I love WE3
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Last edited by Uncle Gravy on Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:39 am; edited 2 times in total |
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Sir Pepoy Josepito
Super Special Awesome
Joined: 02 Dec 2008
Posts: 603
Location: in sanity
Thu Jan 22, 2009 12:42 am |
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edited so it doesn't stretch the screen!
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Uncle Gravy
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Joined: 12 Dec 2008
Posts: 471
Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:36 am |
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Thanks, Joseph.
Will be adding to this later.
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fnspidey
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Thu Jan 22, 2009 6:23 pm |
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| The rabbit is too cute. Dammit. I have a soft spot for rabbits. |
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Uncle Gravy
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Joined: 12 Dec 2008
Posts: 471
Fri Jan 23, 2009 11:56 am |
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I actually saw pics of a 3 toy (the rabbit). It was as big as the guy's palm.
This is good news for all of us. If I can find it again.
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fnspidey
Guest
Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:10 pm |
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| Uncle Gravy wrote: | I actually saw pics of a 3 toy (the rabbit). It was as big as the guy's palm.
This is good news for all of us. If I can find it again. |
The ending broke my heart. Jesus. Why, 3? Why? You were my favorite. |
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NakoZonbineko
One
Joined: 08 Jan 2009
Posts: 210
Tue Jan 27, 2009 11:14 pm |
| Post subject: Re: WE3, by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely |
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| Uncle Gravy wrote: | | I don't think anyone will get used to seeing the head of someone being ripped off by the upper jaw, a fingernail being ripped in two, or blood, guts, and pieces of bone escaping from mangled flesh. |
I might.
Anyway, I think I'm pretty much interested in reading this. I'll try downloading it sometime.
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nya... =^_^= |
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ppk80
'Sup.
Joined: 16 Apr 2009
Posts: 6
Thu Apr 16, 2009 4:37 pm |
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I've read this.
absolutely visceral and visually arresting. I thought the way the frames were presented, particularly the bullet scene at the beginning and the chopped up battle scenes, was pure artistry.
I love how the bunny rabbit was killed off. |
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Uncle Gravy
Filter Fighter
Joined: 12 Dec 2008
Posts: 471
Thu Apr 16, 2009 4:42 pm |
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| Uncle Gravy wrote: |
Will be adding to this later. |
Oh, look, guys!
I lied!
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katastrofu
Two
Joined: 19 May 2009
Posts: 95
Tue May 19, 2009 9:17 pm |
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Loved this one. I particularly enjoyed the frames without words--the chaos of the action scenes, how you could see the bullets and weaponry flying through the air.
Sniffle-provoking, especially for those with pets. Darn you, government! *weeps for beauty* |
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NakoZonbineko
One
Joined: 08 Jan 2009
Posts: 210
Fri May 22, 2009 4:28 pm |
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It didn't make me cry all the way, but I think it was touching.
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nya... =^_^= |
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