Member Reviews
Got an ARC through Netgalley, thank you to the publishers!
This reminded me of another graphic novel I read recently — Soma — except this seemed a little more crisp and advanced artistically and plot-wise.
It still wasn’t for me. I am getting a bit tired of dystopian post apocalyptic story-telling with seemingly cynical main/side characters.
I really liked this. The art was really beautiful and atmospheric. I have seen criticism over the vagueness of the setting and character backgrounds, but I don't mind a good bit of vagueness in my apocalyptic/dystopians. I liked the idea behind the 'giant' and humans relationship and enjoyed the narration style. I do think it could have been done with being a little bit longer, to have a bit more connection with the characters. I did read it twice, back to back and think I will buy my own copy, 4.5 stars.
**ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review**
We Called Them Giants by Kieron Gillen was I guess what you would call a post-apocalyptic sci-fi adult graphic novel. It had very immersive, somber art and tells the story of a couple of teen girls who woke up to find everyone gone except a few and how they learn to survive in the impossible and diverse new landscape, oh and there are aliens. Not my usual genre, but not bad, and had a heartfelt ending
We Call them Giants is an Achingly Beautiful work of visual Art.
Stephanie Hans is an Artist of whom this is my first viewing & is what ultimately drew me to want to check this story out. From a purely visual perspective this gets a full five stars, however, unfortunately the story lacks any real point of interest beyond a rather basic premise.
Where did everyone go?? Why did only the young & apparently only one adult remain?? Why or where dis the Giants come from? & why were they so diametrically opposite to each-other? Sadly none of these question get any semblance of an answer here & ultimately leaves the reader wanting.
Thank you to #NetGalley & #ImageComics for providing a review copy of ‘We Call them Giants’ for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free arc in exchange for an honest review.
We Called Them Giants is a phenomenal dystopian graphic novel! A part of me wishes it was a bit longer, since there are a lot of mysteries that are kind of set up, and very few of them get conclusive answers. However, I think it is the brevity that makes this book so impactful. We Called Them Giants is a story of survival and learning to roll with the punches and find love and compassion along the way.
This didn't take long to read, but definitely packed a punch. I felt surprisingly close to the characters after just a few pages and the concept was interesting, too. At first, I wasn't sure if I liked the art style, but I loved it by the end. It was a fantastic way to depict the otherworldly giants.
I understand that the authors wanted to keep some things a mystery, but I would have liked to have learned a little more about the reasons for the presence of the giants. It would have made the story a bit more rounded. Nevertheless, I was engaged throughout and enjoyed witnessing the growth of the main character!
Thank you NetGalley and Image Comics for providing this e-ARC for an honest review.
This was an exciting graphic novel to read. One day a girl wakes up to a world that seems entirely empty. This is clearly not the case when she has a run in with a dangerous gang. Luckily they make a friend or two, and this helps them get by in more ways than one. When they see some strange looking giant creatures, naturally they run away. But over time they make the acquaintance of one who seems alright with taking them in. The winter is harsh and it is doubtful they would survive outside. Just when things seem to be going great, the girl decides to break out, and finds out who is making some deadly big wolves. What happens next is a huge fight, one that ends badly for both giants involved. As this story comes to a close, it appears this tale might not be finished yet.
It ended abruptly, it's bleak, pretty hopeless and makes NO sense. Do not go into this expecting ANY answers.
Also, the MC is the reason the ending goes south, so there is that. Maybe the moral is "be more trusting"? IDK, whatever it was, it was too much of a downer for me.
If you like twisted, less than happy endings, but not bad endings, then this will work for you. It was too dark for me, but it wasn't bad. The artwork wasn't bad and the characters didn't deviate much from who they were, but they didn't grow enough in time either...
I'm waffling on the rounding, up or down from 2.5, but I liked it more than I disliked it, so I'll round up.
3, interesting but frustratingly few answers to a LOT of questions, stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for an eARC of this book to read and review.
We Called Them Giants by Kieron Gillen is a fantastic novel. Very imaginative and brilliant in its scope
Fun of beautiful colors and vivid imagery. The story could’ve gone further in this, but I liked the overall message. This team is nothing if not consistent in telling a compelling strange tale about humanity. I would love to read more about this world, but understand if it’s a standalone because the story wraps well.
Firstly I think the author did a brilliant job with this comic. I also really loved the art style, it was beautiful and almost earie and really conveyed the emotion and actions within scenes.
I thought the story was clever in its simplicity. I thought the settings and themes were very prominent and merged well to create a captivating story.
I think the brilliance in the story really is in the relationships and found family elements.
Overal I really enjoyed this and plan on pursuing a physical copy for my shelves this will also be something I will recommend to others and my audience.
I was not expecting this book to hold my attention let alone leaving me feeling emotional! It left me wanting more!
Kieron Gillen’s We Called Them Giants is an epic graphic novel that weaves together mythical tales with heartfelt human emotions. In a world where giants, towering and god-like, roam a land torn apart, this book delves into the complex relationship between power, legacy, and the human spirit. The artwork is super detailed and the colors are so atmospheric. It transports you to a world that feels real. The panels change between amazing views and quiet moments, showing both the big and small parts of the story. Whether you’re a seasoned graphic novel fan or just starting to explore the genre, We Called Them Giants is a must-read. It’s a captivating story that weaves together myth and humanity in a way that’s both poetic and thought-provoking, leaving you spellbound.
Wow. We Called Them Giants absolutely wrecked me in the best way. This isn’t just a story; it’s an experience. Gillen delivers heartbreak and hope in equal measure, creating a world so vivid and raw it feels like it’s clawing at you from the page. The emotional depth of Lori’s journey—her desperation, her resilience, her quiet moments of connection—had me sobbing one minute and clutching the book to my chest the next. And the art? Pure magic. Every panel drips with meaning, from the haunting emptiness of abandoned streets to the almost otherworldly presence of them. If you’re into dystopian survival stories with heart-shattering romance and soul-healing friendships, this is your next obsession.
We Called Them Giants
Written by Kieron Gillen
Art by Stephanie Hans
Book 224/250
Genre: Sci-Fi
Format: Digital/Physical, ARC, Graphic Novel
Pages: 104
Published: November 12, 2024
Rating: 9.25/10
Art: 9/10
“It’s not the rapture… The rapture is when all the good people disappear. I don’t believe in good people.”
We Called Them Giants is the perfect example of why there should be more OGN (Original Graphic Novels). Gillen and crew create a self-contained book that is beautiful both in art and story. While only 100 pages long, Gillen and Hans weave a tale of loss, love, grief, and hope set in a post-apocalyptic world where most of humanity is gone and mysterious giants roam the Earth. WCTG is so well done and an absolute delight to read.
There was a lot about 'We Called Them Giants' that I loved - a great concept with strong art and well-fleshed out characters - but I often found the narrative style of the protagonist distracting. Her unreliable narration - though good characterisation - often seemed to contradict the natural pacing of the story, and I found myself struggling to connect to the action.
We Called Them Giants is a tale of post-apocalyptic survival among the few survivors in a community. Two girls awaken to everyone in their neighborhood missing. They band together to survive, and find that there are two "giants" in the woods. Did they cause everyone to disappear? Are they dangerous? Lots of questions, not tons of answers, but interesting and thought provoking.
I love a graphic novel because I'm a sucker for good art, and this one has it. Absolutely stunning imagery. I in found the story very engaging as well although I do think the storytelling could have been a little more clear through the middle of the book. Overall really enjoyed this one and do recommend it!
We Called Them Giants is a brilliant stand alone graphic novel. A fascinating premise about a girl who wakes up one day to discover everyone’s disappeared. Now, I went into this thinking I’d be able to race through it… and I couldn’t! I finished it and didn’t know how I felt. But not in a bad way. It’s well worth a read, and even a second!
I absolutely adored this book! It was dark and confusing, but in all the best ways. Our main character is left in a world where almost everyone has disappeared, seemingly overnight. They must team up with others that they meet to try to survive in this new dystopian world, avoiding local dangers old and new. Eventually something falls from the sky and things get even more confusing. We are faced with more questions than answers, but by the end the general sense of comfort and found family is more than understood.
The giant provides a safe space for some of our characters and even makes an ultimate sacrifice. Very neat story, though I would have liked to see even more detail. A sequel (or even a prequel) would be a great addition!