Review - We Are Here Forever

We Are Here Forever
by Michelle Gish
Date: 2019
Publisher: Quirk Books
Reading level: A
Book type: graphic novel
Pages: 224
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

A hilarious graphic novel in which the human race has been supplanted by a sweeter, kinder, happier species...but are they as innocent as they seem? In this post-apocalyptic comedy, it's survival of the cutest!

After the most adorable apocalypse ever, the human race has vanished from the earth, replaced cute, innocent, playful purple creatures called the Puramus. In this hilarious and epic graphic novel, short interlocking stories follow the purple pals as they explore their new home, form a mini-monarchy, and develop a modern society on par with 21st-century humans. A final act pulls us across time and space in the search for clues to the origins of the Puramus. Along the way, humor and intrigue abound: Can King defend his village when nobody understands what war is? Will Jingle work up the nerve to read her poetry at open mic night? Will Puff Puff ever stop floating? Based on the viral Tumblr comic that gained 18,000 followers in just one year, We Are Here Forever is for fans of post-apocalyptic sci-fi blended with dry comedy and undeniable cuteness. Colorful and cartoony art will you rooting for these cute critters through their absurd adventures. But where did they come from, and what happened to all the humans?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Apparently, one doesn't need to have read the webcomic to enjoy this graphic novel. I don't know about that. I thought this was one of the weakest graphic novels I've read recently. Most of the chapters are pretty inane, rather boring, and lacking in any real substance. Only the last one really had anything interesting going for it.

The characters are... well, simple. I don't think they're particularly cute. They're basically just purple cushions with butt cheeks. (Butt cheeks can't carry a whole book, though, as I found out the hard way when I read Megan Dong's Sharky Malarkey.) The evolution of the Puramus is probably the only interesting thing about them, and even then, it's not enough to make me want to spend any more time with these characters.

Each chapter seems more flimsy and insubstantial than the last. I got the feeling as I was reading it that the author/illustrator simply enjoys drawing these little creatures. That's fine. And maybe it works better as a webcomic, but it really doesn't work as a graphic novel. Yes, there's an overarching storyline, but it's as thin as gossamer, and the rest of the book nearly breaks it with its mundane weight. One of these boring stories would've been enough; I didn't need to read twelve of them to get the gist.

I think this one will probably only appeal to existing fans of the webcomic. Even so, I'm not sure I see the appeal. I guess this one's just not my thing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quirk Books for providing a digital ARC.

Plot: 2/5
Characters: 1/5
Pace: 1/5
Writing & Editing: 2/5
Illustration: 2/5
Originality: 2/5

Enjoyment: 0/5

Overall Rating: 1.25 out of 5 ladybugs