I was reading most of THE WRENCHIES on my morning subway commute and then plowed on through the rest one night after dinner.
It's a story about growing up and knowing there's a post-apocalyptic future ahead and the kid who does the knowing may just be the cause. Told over a few chapters we get introduced to the kids, Sherwood and Orson, who discover a mysterious tunnel and are a trigger to future events. From there we jump to a future overrun by Shadowsmen. Here the world is in shambles, mostly just kids survive and we meet the young Wrenchies who are the best of the best when it comes to fighting the Shadowsmen who still try and add further destruction to the world. It's a sad and tragic future. There's kids who still hope, fight and want to survive.
In a present day realm we meet Hollis, a kid who loves super heroes and longs to be one in midst of an adventure. He goes about as a costumed kid trying to be a hero, trying to be good and standing up to bullies. He's pulled into the WRENCHIES future and things just get more intense for everyone fighting.
It wasn't always a pleasant book to read, but it was enthralling. WRENCHES deals with kids growing up too fast and realizing the world can be ugly and mean. Sherwood is a big focus too as he copes with growing up into a man he hates being.
The story is written and drawn by Farel Dalrymple and this was my first introduction to his work. He's a great artist with a beautiful detailed style. He can capture an ugliness and make it so fascinating and alluring. There's action that fills up every page and I did connect with some of the characters. This is a graphic novel I can't recommend enough. I'm also gonna seek out more Farel books.
Keep reading comic books because COMIC BOOKS KICK ASS!
