Next week’s review is on Geeks Next Door and we hope you’ll enjoy our analysis. Also, making his first appearance here next week is our mysterious fifth reviewer. You’ll get five viewpoints to consider.

To tide you over until then, check out the interview of Joanne Wojtysiak of Gothbunnies over at Webcomic Asylum. There’s an extra bonus at the end of this interview, as well.

And thanks for reading Comic Fencing!

A.D. 1997 involves a huge multinational corporation, and a murder that threatens to unravel, well, everything. I was looking forward to reading and reviewing a non gag humor comic this time, so let’s get right into it.

Artwise this comic has a unique look, with lots of busy linework and a bubbly, almost anime style in blacks, grays and whites. There is lots to look at, with very detailed skylines and crowded streets and cityscapes. Now, with that said, I found it highly confusing at times to figure out what was going on in certain panels.

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Wisecracking rabbits. Depressed donkeys. Bitter ducks. Insane sponges. We’ve all seen human characteristics displayed by a variety of decidedly non-human characters. We The Robots does this as well, and while the robot genre has been mined before, Chris Harding (the comics creator) does so in a pretty bleak, rusty colored, morose little world. WTR updates about three times a week, give or take. No set schedule here.

I recently reviewed a comic titled Max and Tonks, which borrows heavily from the artistic vision that is WTR. Little did I know that was the case, for a few days later here I am reviewing We The Robots, and the originality shines through. This is a world unlike any other I’ve had the pleasure(and displeasure, lemme tell ya) of visiting. It has a curious style akin to South Park in that it resembles construction paper cut-outs set in a drab and dreary, yet oddly soothing environment. The robots also have resemble the baby that’s always on that show (I haven’t watched often, so the name escapes me). I compare this comic to South Park, but it also has it’s own uniqueness that I’m sure will please anyone with an eye for the surreal. With that said, I really enjoyed the sparse settings and clever character designs.

Chris Harding does a good job of expressing the “robots” rollercoaster of emotion, especially in the workplace. He has a strong grasp on the human dilemma, how many of us go about our lives, almost as mindless automatons, performing menial tasks and having our little cookie cutter houses with our cookie cutter dogs, aware that this isn’t what we dreamed things would be like, but doing nothing about it. Complaining on the inside, yes, but taking the steps to improve our situation? No. There is plenty of humor in setups, which is played up to sometimes hilarious effect. I’ve seen less with in some network sitcoms (I’m talking to you, According to Jim!). I also noticed quite a few somber strips, devoid of humor, but no less effective in provoking deeper thoughts. It’s not all fun and games for these characters. I couldn’t help but feel pity for the plight of these machines and their neverending brainstorm of doubt and contemplation. This is a very good mixed bag of humor and angst.

In closing, I recommend We The Robots for anyone with a penchant for the depressing and a fancy for bitter wit and sharp sarcastic humor. You just may see yourself in any number of these characters, and know that you aren’t alone in your constant ridiculous struggle for self worth. Umm…..I really liked it.

Rating:

We the Robots
by Chris Harding
http://www.wetherobots.com/
review by Jack Carter

(10 votes, average: 4 out of 5)

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