We3

Grant Morrison, frankly, I believe is one of the best writers in the modern comics world. Everything he touches is usually unique, interesting, and boundary defying. Sometimes it gets to be a little much, though (see the first volume of the Invisibles), but the majority of the time he's money. We3 is no exception. I was enthralled throughout the short run of this three issue miniseries and any discerning comics reader will be as well.

So you have three animals who were implanted with technology and possibly genetically engineered to be killing machines. You see their uncanny abilities for voilence in the first issue as they take down a squad of terrorists. Even though they are quite effective, the project is decomissioned because of the fact that the government representative doesn't like the fact that these killing animals have developed primitive intelligence, including very basic communication skills.

Needless to say, they get set free by their creator so that they aren't killed. The rest of the story is a study of these three animals and their search for a home, their dealing with the military trying to destroy them, and their learning to be on their own. Morrison has created a family of three animals, and the reason this story is much deeper than simply "robot animals vs. military" is the development of the primitive personalities of these animals. Reading the simple dialogue interaction between the animals, as well as seeing the expertly illustrated quirks of each animal, creates a story that works on a deeper, more personal level.

No one really knows what an animal is thinking, but if you could ever be granted a glimpse of what it might be to be an animal who has been granted superhuman skills, this is what it would be like. I can't really talk up the depth of this series any more than I already have. It's amazingly deep in it's animalistic simplicity, as odd as that may sound. Quietly complements Morrison's story perfectly in his extremely realistic and visceral art. Not only is this story an intellectual treat, but it's also a gift for your eyes. We3, quite simply put, was one of the best mini's of 2004, hands down.

Ratings
Art: 4.25
Story: 4.5
Overall: 4.5