Scurry
Creator: Mac Smith
Publisher: Skybound/Image Comics
Scurry is a fast-paced graphic novel about a colony of mice and rats trying to survive a post-apocalyptic world where humans have disappeared, and food is scarce with a long winter upon them. Mac Smith is both the author and the artist, weaving an exciting tale of survival inspired by beloved stories such as The Secret of Nimh and The Goonies.
Our heroes are Wix, a talented runner who struggles with the voice in his head that tells him mice were meant to die and be weak, and Pict, the daughter of the ailing leader who discovers an internal plot that threatens the colony. Resher is our antagonist, who’s just a little too eager to make the “tough decisions” and wants to move the colony to the city at any cost—even if it means sacrificing members of the colony itself.
The character roles and arcs will be familiar to story lovers. There’s a certain dynamic with a strong The Lord of the Rings vibe that a lot of older readers will be able to enjoy, and there’s a Shakespearean reference with three witches in unexpected forms.
The star of the show is the art. Without spoilers, there’s a sequence with a dam and another involving fire later on in the book that had me leaning back to appreciate the whole picture. The lighting is incredible. The visual atmosphere shifts with the environmental mood and the inner turmoil that challenges the characters. Through stunning character acting, framing, and depth of field, the panels are practically cinematic.
Those who are easily disturbed by animal death might want to skip this one. Scurry doesn’t pull punches when it comes to loss in the post-apocalyptic world, and it is very much a story about survival. But if you can handle the minimal depictions of blood, then it’s a must-read for readers of all ages.
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