Reviews

They're Not Like Us #1 by Simon Gane, Eric Stephenson, Jordie Bellaire

mkhare's review

4.0

A lot of reviewers seem none too impressed by the art, but I quite liked it, including the 'graininess' of the style as a whole. The ending to this issue definitely intrigued me, perhaps enough to continue reading despite the first volume of this series receiving very mixed reviews. I'm feeling like it'll be quite 'Deadly Class' in tone. 3.75 stars.

emilija_kava's review

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

samilearnstoread's review

4.0

The art is great, as usual for Image comics. I am glad I kept reading even though I strongly disliked all the characters in the first 3/4 of the book. But you grow to like them, maybe even understand them (kind of), and they are a bunch of misfits with powers - so there's something for everyone.

aziz_reads's review

4.0

Honestly, I requested this from Net Galley for the cover. I didn't read the description at all. I know you're not meant to judge by a cover, but let's be honest--a lot of us do. Were I at the library, I'd do the same thing. I'd pick it up from the graphic novel section solely based on the title and cover and read it, because that's how you branch out and find new things.

Now that that's out of the way, the first few pages really drew me in. I finished this book in two sittings, taking time to actually get some sleep in between since I started it shortly past midnight. There was a lot of action in the beginning--starting with a suicide attempt and suddenly entering a breakout straight out of Mission Impossible, then transitioned into something comparable to X-Men.

So I thought, "Oh, here we go. A bunch of young men and women with super powers and a middle aged man who's going to save them and help control their powers." Not so. They're Not Like Us took a different turn, revealing that these aren't superheroes. These are jaded and cynical young people out for blood. And I loved it. After all, would I be a hero if I had powers? I'll be honest and say 'probably not'.

I really liked the art in this book too--it was diverse and interesting. Not everything has to be drawn like a manga.

Ultimately here's where I'm at. If I was in the library, I'd read this start to finish and look for the next one in the series. But would I buy it in a bookstore with my own money? Probably not. I'd still recommend this to graphic novel book clubs because of the questions about morality and free will--there's a lot to talk about. But if you're on the more conservative side and don't do well with fight scenes or occasional nudity, skip this book.

groundedwanderlust's review

1.0

I received access to this as an E-book from the publisher via Netgalley in return for an honest review.

I was expecting a lot of things from this comic based on the cover and the description but was sorely let down. I did not enjoy the art style at all. In fact, it was very distracting. The story was extremely dark and I had a hard time getting into it. I can see where someone else might enjoy it (it did have potential) but I would have DNFed it if I hadn't promised to review it. I will not be continuing on with the series.

thecommonswings's review

3.0

Beautifully illustrated and snappily written, there still isn’t anything in these issues that dissuade me that this is about a bunch of nihilistic hipsters with a superiority complex. It feels too adolescent to work and hasn’t displayed enough evidence that it’s going to cleverly spin these ideas on their head. As it is it’s just hipsters hipstering psychically but some are good hipsters and some are bad

No character is overweight by the way. Not sure if this shows anything but it’s a weird view of the world at any rate

solelylu's review

2.0

Finally.. Okay. Need to think about how to rate this. I liked a thing or two..in terms of the message and such but otherwise I really didn't.
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As seen on blog...

I had a hard time reading They're Not Like Us. Firstly due to the art. It was annoying. Secondly, because of the storyline, it is one that has been used a lot-- people with special abilities. Thirdly, because of the characters, they were annoying. Fourthly, because of the art. I know I have said this before but seriously, the art was so distracting and bad and god.. ugly.

Then I seriously wasn't interested to know what was happening or what would happen or what did happen. Like this is a graphic novel and I skipped pages. Like hullo, I shouldn't want to in a graphic novel at least.. It's already soo short.

What I did like about TANLU were the underlying messages and the quotes after each section. And I liked how the lead made that decision and set the path for the upcoming instalments. :P

So, I am not going to read the other volumes cos NOT INTERESTED. Sorry. Not Sorry. *shrugs*

Thanks to Netgalley and Diamond Book Distributors for this read.

wryn_'s review

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Death, Mental illness, Medical content, Murder, and Self harm

Moderate: Sexual content and Pedophilia

beergeekgirl's review

2.0

Keeping in mind that 2 stars is "It was okay." And it was. Maybe even 2.5 stars.

I started to hate this, but Syd really saves the story. My opinion may rise with subsequent books.

Based on a digital review copy provided by the published through NetGalley.