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howiedoowinfam's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
scy11a's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
bookishholly's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for giving me access to the eARC of The Cull Volume 1 in exchange of my honest review and opinions.
It took me a while to warm up to the art style of this comic. I didn't realise when requesting a copy that this was going to be 3D art rather than hand drawn which is my preference. I felt at times that the lighting was a bit strange and things became a little confusing in terms of imagining how they were travelling.
I also felt that the story flowed in an odd way, there were too many abrupt cuts between chapters/editions. I think this is because things were moving so fast and the author was clearly trying to hit a lot of ideas and plot points. It would have benefited from being trimmed down to just a number of ideas that could have been executed better. The ensemble of characters was also maybe slightly too big. It was hard to care about any of them because I found it difficult to keep up with who was who and what their issue was that we were suppose to focus on.
I did enjoy the plot twist at the end and feel I would pick up more editions of this story if some improvements were made in regards to plot and character development.
Overall this comic was fairly decent and I can see the potential in it.
It took me a while to warm up to the art style of this comic. I didn't realise when requesting a copy that this was going to be 3D art rather than hand drawn which is my preference. I felt at times that the lighting was a bit strange and things became a little confusing in terms of imagining how they were travelling.
I also felt that the story flowed in an odd way, there were too many abrupt cuts between chapters/editions. I think this is because things were moving so fast and the author was clearly trying to hit a lot of ideas and plot points. It would have benefited from being trimmed down to just a number of ideas that could have been executed better. The ensemble of characters was also maybe slightly too big. It was hard to care about any of them because I found it difficult to keep up with who was who and what their issue was that we were suppose to focus on.
I did enjoy the plot twist at the end and feel I would pick up more editions of this story if some improvements were made in regards to plot and character development.
Overall this comic was fairly decent and I can see the potential in it.
thecornishpiskie's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
First, I'd like to send my thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for giving me access to the eARC of The Cull Volume 1. What follows is my true and honest opinion.
Trigger Warnings: Grief, Implied Domestic Violence (nothing shown, just briefly mentioned), Self Harm (Scars shown briefly, a conversation is had), Alcohol (Briefly shown with wider cast, not main cast).
The Cull is a so far fascinating story about alternative worlds, with twists and turns that I did not expect. It follows five friends: Kaite, Cleo, Will, Wade, and Lux. This is our main cast.
The artwork in this comic is stunningly beautiful and unique. To me, it looks almost like videogame stills, the artwork is that detailed. The main cast shows good diversity, with both LGBTQ and BIPOC cast members, and none feel like they are outshone by their white or presumed straight counterparts. Each character feels deep, with their own issues, and obviously, while the friends know each other better than we do, I am excited to learn more about them as time goes on. The level of thoughtfulness even goes as deep as to what power manifests first.
It ends with a cliffhanger and I hope that there will be more volumes in the future. I look forward to adding this to my physical Collection when I have the chance.
Trigger Warnings: Grief, Implied Domestic Violence (nothing shown, just briefly mentioned), Self Harm (Scars shown briefly, a conversation is had), Alcohol (Briefly shown with wider cast, not main cast).
The Cull is a so far fascinating story about alternative worlds, with twists and turns that I did not expect. It follows five friends: Kaite, Cleo, Will, Wade, and Lux. This is our main cast.
The artwork in this comic is stunningly beautiful and unique. To me, it looks almost like videogame stills, the artwork is that detailed. The main cast shows good diversity, with both LGBTQ and BIPOC cast members, and none feel like they are outshone by their white or presumed straight counterparts. Each character feels deep, with their own issues, and obviously, while the friends know each other better than we do, I am excited to learn more about them as time goes on. The level of thoughtfulness even goes as deep as to what power manifests first.
It ends with a cliffhanger and I hope that there will be more volumes in the future. I look forward to adding this to my physical Collection when I have the chance.
harrietj's review
2.75
This was fine. Interesting photorealistic art. Dialogue very Joss Whedon - a couple of lines directly lifted from Buffy, in fact.
Interesting first chapter but I probably won't seek out the second.
Interesting first chapter but I probably won't seek out the second.
jshawreads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review.
The Cull is very interesting, a story of loss and togetherness, following a group of teens as they find an entrance to a world between worlds and a strange gestalt entity that exists there.
The first thing about The Cull I noticed was, of course, the art style. It was... odd. I'm no art expert, but the 3D digital style, especially of characters, was a little offputting, and a little happy valley at times, and reminded me of those CGI comics in newspapers twenty years ago... The story was interesting, and the way characters dealt with trauma, loss, and fear was wonderful.
Overall a mixed bag, I don't think I will be in a rush to read another volume...
The Cull is very interesting, a story of loss and togetherness, following a group of teens as they find an entrance to a world between worlds and a strange gestalt entity that exists there.
The first thing about The Cull I noticed was, of course, the art style. It was... odd. I'm no art expert, but the 3D digital style, especially of characters, was a little offputting, and a little happy valley at times, and reminded me of those CGI comics in newspapers twenty years ago... The story was interesting, and the way characters dealt with trauma, loss, and fear was wonderful.
Overall a mixed bag, I don't think I will be in a rush to read another volume...
arkham's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
1.0
somethingsnappy's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
quirkycatsfatstacks's review
4.0
Summary:
How far will one girl go to find her missing brother? As it turns out, to the end of the world – and straight into the next. It all starts with a simple lie. She wants to film a movie on the beach with her friends. But quickly, everything changes.
Review:
Wow. I wish I could leave my review at "wow" because that accurately sums up how I felt upon finishing The Cull Vol. 1. This book is A LOT, but in the best ways possible. It's dark, emotional, tense, and fascinating, all in one.
There are five characters in total, and right away, we get a glimpse into their lives. In a few short panels, we learn the broad strokes of each teen. Then, the adventure begins. I'll admit that I wish we had a bit more time to learn their history, but that did develop along the way.
As for the adventure, well, that was something else. Picture Paper Girls but with a Saga-esque surreal vibe. That'sThat's how this story goes. And yes, that should tell you something about the level of danger and action that occurs.
I am so relieved that The Cull Vol. 1 is only the first volume in this adventure. Could it have ended here? Well...technically? But I would much (MUCH) rather see how the rest of this story will play out.
Highlights:
Written by Kelly Thompson
Sci-Fi Horror
Body Horror
Strange Lands
Trigger Warnings
Self Harm
Abuse
Missing Child
Violence/Death
Thanks to Image Comics and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
How far will one girl go to find her missing brother? As it turns out, to the end of the world – and straight into the next. It all starts with a simple lie. She wants to film a movie on the beach with her friends. But quickly, everything changes.
Review:
Wow. I wish I could leave my review at "wow" because that accurately sums up how I felt upon finishing The Cull Vol. 1. This book is A LOT, but in the best ways possible. It's dark, emotional, tense, and fascinating, all in one.
There are five characters in total, and right away, we get a glimpse into their lives. In a few short panels, we learn the broad strokes of each teen. Then, the adventure begins. I'll admit that I wish we had a bit more time to learn their history, but that did develop along the way.
As for the adventure, well, that was something else. Picture Paper Girls but with a Saga-esque surreal vibe. That'sThat's how this story goes. And yes, that should tell you something about the level of danger and action that occurs.
I am so relieved that The Cull Vol. 1 is only the first volume in this adventure. Could it have ended here? Well...technically? But I would much (MUCH) rather see how the rest of this story will play out.
Highlights:
Written by Kelly Thompson
Sci-Fi Horror
Body Horror
Strange Lands
Trigger Warnings
Self Harm
Abuse
Missing Child
Violence/Death
Thanks to Image Comics and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
witbeyndmehsure's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No