Horde

Horde by Bennett and Leiz (See below for preview images. Note: no previews include comic book text.)

Created by
Marguerite Bennett and Leila Leiz

Written by
Marguerite Bennett

Artwork by
Leila Leiz (interior, cover and variant cover)

Colors by Guy Major
Letters by Marshall Dillon
 
This particular graphic novella depicts the strained and troubled relationship between a mother and her daughter.  As human beings we tend to fear or dislike what we don’t understand.  We tend to want to distance ourselves in an effort to preserve our feeling of safety.  But when that tumultuous relationship is between two people that are supposed to love and care about each other, things can take a much more sinister turn, especially when one or the other feels insulted, threatened or misunderstood.  After all, it’s human nature to want to belong.
 
Plenty of problems plague any normal family, any average mother and daughter.  But in this book their inability to communicate and understand can lead to dire consequences.
 
This was a great read.  It does have a very deep emotional aspect to it.  The daughter’s inner struggle with her own emotions and demons are well illustrated and written, as is the obvious distance between the girl and her mother.  One of the most common issues between a mother and her daughter is that at some point the daughter feels like the mother doesn’t understand her and the mother feels like the daughter just isn’t “getting it”.  The explosive crash of these two frustrations can be, in some ways, catastrophic.  
 
The bitterness and the anger, not to mention the level of resentment displayed in specific detail by far rival that of any of the worst times between me and my mother, or anyone else I know.  That adds a complete sense of real emotion and true involvement for the reader.  Who hasn’t been angry at a parent at one time or another?  The story is very well written with a very natural flow and style.  It keeps your attention and keeps moving, the plot constantly unfolding so there will be no skimming and skipping pages.  Do that and you’ll miss something important.
 
The artwork is wonderful with the style and color palette fantastically lined with the theme and emotional load of this story.  The muted and simple color palette makes the random and intense splashes of bright and bold color leap off the page at the reader, really putting emphasis on that particular panel/frame.  All of this is beautifully bound in a sturdy hardback cover with the extraordinary artwork decorating the cover.
 
A very well-done graphic novella and well worth the read.
 
RATINGS
Overall 5/5
Artwork 5/5
Story 5/5 

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