Writer: Ash Maczko

Art: Ashley Witter

The dynamic duo of Maczko & Witter are back to present to us, the readers, a limited 4 issue summer addition of the critically acclaimed Squarriors saga. For those not in the know, a cataclysmic event of unknown origin has wiped out humanity and left in its place an Earth run by animals. The animals have split into different factions, in a story that bring the best elements from Game of Thrones to the abandoned woodlands of middle America.

Days gone by

One of my favorite elements in the storytelling is a few introductory panels of the events leading up to the human apocalypse, and this issue is no exception. Young Eddie learns that in the fight to save humanity from an event called “The Flash” (we don’t have all the details, but that is a large part of the fun), his father was killed. It is short and to the point but God, does it make you thirsty for more! Maczko is a genius at sucking the reader in and leaving them hanging, without frustrating them to the point of leaving.

News from the front

Grin has returned to the central Amoni stronghold to report back to Emperor Ra. The Maw tribe sent a spy named Rustle into the Tin Kin tribe to kill off the mightiest of their warriors by the order of Redcoat, the Maw leader. Emperor Ra is tired of the delays and wants the Tin Kin destroyed. Grin hands to Ra an ominous symbol that was discovered on a Tin Kin scout, the foreboding Rising Sun.

The world according to Redcoat 

The battle against the Tin Kin is imminent, but in the interim, the Maw soldiers are growing restless. They know that if they don’t begin their journey soon, the Amoni will be more than happy to satisfy their bloodlust on Maw soldiers. Redcoat, however, remains zen in regards to the mounting tension, believing that restlessness is good for a soldiers soul. It is a fine line he is toeing, and it could end in disaster. Later, Rustle demands the head of ZeeZee, a Maw who has pledged allegiance to the Tin Kin, but Redcoat won’t hear of anything that sidetracks the clan from their goal of defeating the entire Tin Kin group, not just one person.

Meanwhile, at the Hall of Justice…I mean the Tin Kin stronghold…

Zeezee, the Maw turncoat, and Eli (a high ranking member of the TK council) discuss the impending siege. Zeezee is frustrated that they remain in the stronghold, but Eli is quick to point out that venturing into the open fields invites a slaughter. They will have to do their best to “Helm’s Deep” the Maw and Amoni and wait it out.

 

I loved the first Squarriors mini-series and was thrilled to learn of this summers offering. Maczko is a storytelling genius, creating a world of tight character development, action, and true feeling that makes the reader go all in, regardless of the fact that the primary focus is on a bunch of squirrels, cats, and other common animals. My only gripe is that there could have been a recap after the cover page, catching up the avid reader and informing the newcomer. As always, Ashley Witter’s (Interview with a Vampire, Bloodthirsty) art is sublime, making every panel come to life with tightly drawn characters, vivid colors, and exceptional detail. I don’t think there is anything that young woman cannot draw.

Squarriors: Summer #1 is a fun read in the best vein of the dystopian genre. I am excited to get my hands on the remaining 3 issues.

5 blood codes out of 5