If you picked up Feral #1 expecting a heartwarming animal adventure, think again. Tony Fleecs (writer), Trish Forstner & Tone Rodriguez (art), and Brad Simpson (colors) have another thing in store for you. Think Homeward Bound meets 28 Days Later, but with cats!

This debut issue wastes no time establishing the high stakes. A group of domesticated kitties are thrust into a world overrun by a terrifying rabies-like virus after their transport truck crashes on the highway, and the fight for survival is no joke. The creative team masterfully amps up the suspense right from the first scene, as we witness the brutal accident taking place right before our eyes. Fleecs’ script and Forstner & Rodriguez’s art are the perfect complement to one another, with each elevating the reading experience throughout the issue. There’s action, suspense, thrills, and more to keep readers on their toes.

And just when you think you've got a handle on things, Fleecs adds in a gut punch that will send your heart straight into your shoes. In a single issue, he manages to make you care deeply about these brand new characters, raising the stakes even further, & then tears you down with the reality that none of these characters are safe in this story.

The artwork in Feral #1 is a perfect continuation of the style that won this creative team acclaim with Stray Dogs. Forstner & Rodriguez don't shy away from depicting the harsh realities of a post-apocalyptic world. Their detailed environments & expressive character designs paint a vivid picture of the desperate struggle for survival our feline protagonists face & the dangers that await them on their journey home. Simpson's colors further enhance the visuals, with a palette that mixes different color tones & pops of color to emphasize certain moments to perfectly reflect the grim & dire situation.

Feral seems to ratchet up the horror-tone from Stray Dogs even more, making this a potentially hard read for animal lovers or the feint at heart. Even if you love zombie-genre entertainment, there is something completely different seeing it unfold with adorable cartoon cats being traumatized. The juxtaposition is so jarring, yet so effective. Would we care this much this soon about the characters if they were humans? Probably not, but that is exactly what makes this such a brilliant medium for this story & the creative team takes full advantage of it.

Rating: 10/10