Tuesday, December 10, 2013

IRON or The War After



Today I will be reviewing a book called Iron or The War After by S.M Vidaurri. It takes place in a world that is always winter - cold and snowing. It's about a group of anthropomorphic animals who were in a gang war with each other. Some of them still feel hostile towards each other. One rabbit named Harden steals important papers from his old enemy, a tiger named Calvin. A lot of betrayal  happens involving Harden and his children, Patricia and James, who end up getting put in an orphanage by Calvin and his followers. Important things happen within the first chapter, so it would be hard to tell you what happens without spoiling it for you.


The art in this book is very beautiful and surreal. The use of colors is like something you would see on the cover of the New Yorker. The heads of the animals look really cool. All of them look really tough and rough. Whenever a character is about to get into a fight, you see a side view of their gritted teeth. It looks amazing. This book should get an award for its drawings.

I like the scene where Harden's children's nanny is selling Harden out to Calvin. When she hesitates to tell him where Harden and his children are, Calvin pulls a gun. I like this scene because it shows how much is at stake. One little mess up could be the difference between life and death. One piece of false information could have you dead in a ditch. I would also like to mention the beautiful lighting in this scene. It looks like the scene from the beginning of The Godfather, with the blinds pulled down and the smoke from Calvin's cigar filling the room. It really gives you that mafia feel. 

 This book is perfectly appropriate for anyone who doesn't mind fist fight violence and can handle a complex plot. It has memorable characters, especially the tiger named Calvin. I think that it's really underrated and deserves to be much more well known. 

In all, I think Iron or The War After is really well done. I would give it 4 3/5 iron ingots out of 5. 

11 comments:

  1. Excellent review, Milo, makes me want to read it. I love your description of the Harden's Children's Nanny scene - also, great vocab words throughout.

    One thing I'm noticing is how many movies and TV shows are now based on graphic novels. When you make a movie (I'm told) you first have to have what's called a "storyboard," which is basically a graphic novel of the script you're about to film. Graphic novels are often very cinematic to begin with, so maybe that makes it easy for filmmakers to imagine what kind of movie the graphic novel would make.

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  2. "anyone who doesn't mind fist fight violence and can handle a complex plot," was my favorite phrase. Again, you have motivated a middle aged person to want to read a graphic novel. Good persuasive essay.

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  3. Great review, Milo. I hadn't heard of this book before today, but now I'm very intrigued. Your comparisons between the art and a New Yorker cover and the Godfather bring up really nice imagery for me -- I'm excited to buy a copy (maybe a good Christmas present, too!)

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  4. Thanks Milo. Your reviews are always a great help to me because they let me know what my son, who is 11, would also like. I got him Big Bad Ironclad and now he's a big Nathan Hale fan. I'll get him Iron for Christmas! Catherine Park

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  5. Hi! I am so glad you have this blog! My daughter is ten and getting into graphic novels. Your blog shall be a great resource!

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  6. Great review of one of my favorite graphic novels! I love how you describe the art (even noting the lighting which not many people pick up on in comics) and nail what makes the characters great. Keep up the awesome reviews! - Cameron

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  7. I love this blog! Both my boys, 10 and 7, love graphic novels. Do you have any suggestions for novels for a sensitive, non-violent, seven-year old?

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    1. One book I liked around those ages was called tiny tyrant. Another is called big head, about a superhero. I also like Calvin and Hobbs, but you probably know about

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  8. Excellent taste, along with a wondrous review!

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  9. You have done such a good review! I am going to try to get this for my grandson!
    Your description of the artwork was perfect! Alabama fan of Milo!

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  10. Great review, Milo! It definitely makes me want to read the book. You have such a keen eye for visuals and art, which I've noticed in your other reviews. I love the way you compare the art to a cover on The New Yorker and a scene from The Godfather. Plus, as always, I love your succinct plot summaries. You always supply those at the beginning, and they're always both a great summary and a fun tease -- with no spoilers! And it was cool how you talked about the high stakes in the scene with the nanny selling out Harden. High stakes definitely make for an exciting read! -- Jan Carr

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