The New Regime In Animosity Evolution #10
by Josh Davison
[***Major Spoilers For Animosity Evolution #9 and #10 Ahead!]
Wintermute is dead, and the Lex Animata have been rounded up and destroyed. The City by the Sea is now the City of the Ur-King. Leopold runs the city on behalf of the Ur-King, and he is trying to convince Adam North to stay around and help the city survive. Leopold’s plan is abominable; he intends to kill the weakest, slowest, and least intelligent animals and feed them to the strong and smart. For Adam and other dissatisfied citizens under this new regime, there is only one option left: rebellion.
Animosity Evolution #10 finds the city in the aftermath of the coup against Wintermute and her subsequent execution. We learn how Leopold intends to run the city, and I was frankly wondering how long before Animosity would have a more on-the-surface Animal Farm reference.
Snark aside, it is a very absorbing read. The reader is sucked into the brutal regime mapped out by Leopold, and the tension comes from watching Adam try to process the horror of it all.
The majority of the comic consists of this conversation, though a couple of scenes take place in the aftermath, and Adam North has one last dramatic revelation lying in wait for him.
The ending is strong as well, with a resolution being made by many characters.
Eric Gapstur’s work is strong and gives the dramatic issue an excellent treatment. He once again manages to draw expression and emotion out of the animal characters, which is no mean feat. The detailing is great all around, and Rob Schwager’s color work draws the eye to the page with a bright and balanced palette.
Animosity Evolution #10 is an especially excellent installment to an already great series. Things have changed drastically for the City by the Sea, and the city may never be saved. It’s a compelling read and easily worth a recommendation. Give it a read.
Animosity Evolution #10 comes to us from writer Marguerite Bennett, artist Eric Gapstur, color artist Rob Schwager, letterer Marshall Dillon, and cover artist Gapstur with Guy Major.
