Animosity Vol. 1
AfterShock Comics
Story by Marguerite Bennett
Art by Rafael de Latorre
Colors by Rob Schwager
Review by Hafsa Alkhudairi
When I imagine a story about animals awakening with thoughts, ideas, and self-awareness, I assumed that it would revolve around how amazing animals could be. I was not disappointed in that respect. However, Animosity shows that the way many people have treated animals and each other around the world is extremely problematic. Hence, the animals did not harmoniously join the humans, they had different reactions that matched their circumstances and experiences. It brings to mind animal welfare and the types of bullheadedness humans can express. It can be taken as a way to raise awareness about the environmental changes caused by humans and/or can be read as an expression of how discrimination and of superiority complex.
Beyond the metaphorical qualities of Animosity, the narrative is quite engaging and shows the importance of love and equality. For example, the story goes back and forth between the present and the past with jumps in times in the present balancing out the need for comfort in the middle of a worrying narrative. However, the experience is not complete without the art being a balance of cartoonish and realistic that balances out the need for seriousness and the need to lightning up the mood at times. The colouring does that as well. The mix between the pastels and the dark solid colours shows the difference between humanistic moments and the violent ones.
Yet, I think the most beautiful experience of the narrative is the opening sequence. It is a mix of silent and active panels as well as artless pages that reflect on the moments the animals become aware. it explains the different reactions and their immediate thoughts after. However, that is not my favourite moment from the books. It is the moment Jesse first meets Sandor. The connection there is pure friendship and companionship that developed into protectiveness. Also, the twist was awesome!
Verdict:
BUY It! Animosity is about animals becoming aware of themselves and the situation they live in. Some defend their humans, some turn on themselves, and others exact their revenge on humans. However, the arguments they present are convincing and could make the reader become anti-human. Beyond the narrative, the colour schemes range from beautiful pastels and dark violent colours. The comic design itself is gorgeous and explores different styles, both silent and active. In the end, Animosity is a creative take on the fight between humans and animals. The experience of the comic can be very political or can be purely entertaining, depending on what the reader needs from the story.
