This week, on the Major Spoilers Podcast, the crew takes a crack at Grant Morrison’s three issue mini-series WE3.
The story follows the journey of We3, a squad of three prototype “animal weapons,” as they flee captivity. The group consists of a dog, “Bandit” a.k.a. “1”; a cat, “Tinker” a.k.a. “2”; and a rabbit, “Pirate” a.k.a. “3”, who were all kidnapped from a nearby city and encased in robotic armor. They were also given a limited ability to speak through skull implants. Their body armor fields numerous weapons, including mine laying devices, machine guns and razor claws.
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6 Comments
Wow, first time I ever come against something I have absolutely never heard off in this site. Even the Goon I had heard off a few times in my life. Looking forward to learning about this series.
We3 was a series that I was interested in reading when it came out and never did. Have thought about purchasing the TPB multiple times over the years, but never have. Now it’s up to you, MSP!!! Convince me, just as you did with Y: The Last Man (and, yes, I do like him), to read this great series!
I have been a fan of WE3 since it came out and was wondering what you guys thought of the visual aspect of the book. I have always been amazed by some of the panel layouts Quitely chose while illustrating the series. I am especially interested in Rodrigo’s input as a film student, as I have read Morrison say that he was trying to give Quitely shots that would only work in a film but he somehow pulled it off. What do you guys think?
We3 blew my mind. I had been hearing other podcasts talk about it a lot, and my library finally got a hold of it, and I was really impressed. It was unlike anything I had seen at a time when I was just getting back into comics.It was probably the first comic to open my eyes and say, “Yeah, these books can be for grown ups, and tell deep meaningful stories.” 5 meatloaf slices from me.
The thing about We3, is that when it gets into the public forum as a movie, it will be generational. Fifty years afterward, a dozen or so old people will be able to say “That Story Broke My Heart.”
One important element I had not noticed, that Morrison pointed out, was the fact that the entire thing emulates Tom & Jerry, in that whenever we focus on the animals, the humans become HUGE – literally too big for the panel – allowing Quitely to focus on their more grotesque features, such as disquieting grins or pudgy fingers.
I’d also say that, as with many of Morrison’s stories, it seems drawn from several different sources. Animals In Robot Suits reminds me of Doug Tennapel’s Earthworm Jim, Animals On The Run (With Robot Suits) suggests Homeward Bound and The Brave Little Toaster (ain’t gonna miss THAT franchise), and Three Travellers Searching For Peace/Destiny/Love/Adventure/Home…well, take your pick, from Arthurian Legend to Oh Brother Where Art Thpu to The Great Muppet Caper to Don Quixote (Cervantes himself counts as Traveller #3).
Anyway, an inspiring piece of work, akin to the more recent work District 9 in its “Political Issues? Beat ‘Em With SCI-FI!” attitude, and an all-round good read.
When anybody talks about giving an example of the how great comics are as a visual medium, I always point out WE3. Its incredible how you can get three well-defined characters when they can’t even speak full sentences. 1’s tireless ambition to be good and led his team home, 2, the Wolverine to 1’s Cyclops, slicing up and hating everybody, but learns to love his team and would die to protect them, and 3’s cute naiveness and casual destructive ability. It plays with an assortment of emotions, and I even got a little teared up a little by the end. Thats saying a lot for me, who hates pets with a passion that would embarrass Michael Vick(plus they totally murder a little kid in here).
Can’t forget the artist, and quite frankly, Frank Quitely is the greatest comic artist of all time. His mastery of getting so much information in one panel works perfectly with Morrison’s minimalist style, and his work throughout is so kinetic, innovative, and ugly(but in a beautiful way). My favorite section are the pages with the 16 panels, so claustrophic and tension building, until finally theres the beautiful two page splash, as both WE3 and the reader expereince freedom.
This thing is as close to perfect as comics are gonna get(excluding All-Star Superman, of course. That thing is God’s gift to Earth.