CRY HAVOC
The Dogs Of War
released OUT NOW! Publisher Image Comics Writer Simon Spurrier Artist Ryan Kelly issues 1- 3 Opening at the end of the story, cutting back to the beginning, then jumping straight into the middle of the narrative, Cry Havoc’s construction might feel disorientating at first. But as our lead Louise Canton’s tale unfolds, showing her journey from hipster musician to powerful werewolf, to freelance soldier tracking an enemy monster, it becomes clear the structure is connected to the book’s key theme – the way humans use stories and myths to make sense of their lives.
It’s heady stuff, but in the midst of all the non- linear experimentation, Cry Havoc never forgets to have fun. This could be the only comic you’ll read this year that features a masturbating Icelandic were- hog, and it’ll certainly be the last book you’ll pick up in 2016 that shares plot threads with bonkers ’ 80s Indonesian horror Mystics In Bali.
With a compelling first arc providing emotional backstory and exciting action, we’re prepared to forgive the fact that writer Simon Spurrier occasionally leans heavily on annotations at the end of the book to explain his intentions. He should trust the goodlooking art and likeable leads to carry us past the occasional logic howlers.
Okay okay, strictly speaking, Louise isn’t bitten by a werewolf, but a Barghest – a spectral black hound.