Graphic Novel Review: Trees (Vol. #1)

Author| Warren Ellis
Illustrator| Jason Howard
Edition| eARC courtesy of Netgalley
Publisher| Image Comics
Genre| Sci-Fi (mature audiences)
Rating| 3 Stars
Release Date| February 11th, 2015

I received a copy of Trees from Image Comics via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you.

My first thought upon completion: the people on tumblr would LOVE this book.  I'm actually serious.  So, yeah, if you see me promoting this on tumblr... maybe pick it up?   If you don't spend a lot of time of tumblr, or just stay in one zone (where it's still light out and safe), you may be unaware that it's full of people with strong opinions, specifically on diversity and representation in the media.  I don't say this as a bad thing- I spend nearly all my time on tumblr and rarely regret it.

But I digress.  Trees is an interesting read.  It was not what I expected at all, and I think that's what really bothered me about this one.  I thought it would have more sci-fi elements, but it's really just using alien invasion in the form of "trees" as a backdrop.  It's real focus is on the people in this world and through them delivers a commentary on sexuality, politics, the government, science, race, etc.  It covers a little bit of everything.  And that aspect of it was pretty cool and long lasting- it's something I will think about for a long time.

But, but, but... it had absolutely no plot.  I mean, the story it told seemed like it was just a conglomeration of secondary stories.  The only story with momentum- the scientist one- was haphazard and messy.  I'm still not sure what happened.

Another big problem was in the beginning.  We meet several characters in several places, only to watch about half of those stories get shoved to the side.  The interesting introduction doesn't even look like it will pay off until a sequel, possibly a third.  And he exposition took forever!  It would have been introduced much easier and faster, I'm sure.

I don't think I'll be picking up the sequel unless it's from the library.  However, saying that, I'll be recommending this book to loads of people.  What it is really getting at is important and thought-provoking.  I just wish it were advertised that way.