Wild Animals by Ed Brisson and Andy Kuhn, is just that…wild. What starts as a fierce revenge tale turns into something so much more and by the end of the series I was left with my jaw on the floor with the direction this creative team took the story. Simply put, it’s f****d!
Neil’s life has been falling apart ever since his father was killed by crooked cops. Fifteen years later, Neil’s mother lays on her deathbed and he’s stuck in a dead-end job, has nowhere to live, and no hope to speak of. Life keeps kicking Neil and he keeps taking it, too frightened to fight back. Until now. With his world crumbling around him, Neil finds himself backed into a corner, with no choice but to make a stand and right the wrongs that have haunted him for years. Revenge is a dangerous path to walk and the deeper Neil goes, the more he realizes that violence is all consuming.
There are stories that grab ahold of me in the first issue or chapter, making the rest of the series a must-read. Wild Animals was just that type of tale. When I read the first issue, I felt this calling to make sure I read the complete trade and by the time I hit the end I was both satisfied and miffed to what just happened.
Wild Animals is a story of revenge, loss, and murder.
Brisson crafts a main character I couldn’t help but root for. Neil’s journey is driven by pure desperation, yet his reasoning feels somehow relatable. We’ve all faced moments where nothing is going our way and some of us have truly wanted to do what Neil has set out to do, however we hold back. Neil’s resilience and determination resonate, making for a stellar tale and something that can be deeply personal for some. With nothing left to lose, he’s taking the fight to these corrupt cops, and Brisson’s no-holds-barred storytelling ensures every moment hits with a punch–literally. But Brisson takes us in a direction that most would be scared to go. It was truly mind-boggling in the end.
Pairing well with Brisson’s script is Kuhn’s powerful artwork, which skillfully matches the gritty tone of the story. His ability to illustrate both chaotic fight scenes filled with blood and violence as well as the tender scenes with Neil and his mother and the brutal ending is truly amazing. He captures emotion, pain, and even fleeting moments of hope with easy. It’s something special when the art speaks as much as the word bubbles, which are also fittingly done by Rob Jones.
Wild Animals is a wild ride from two outstanding comic creators. Ed Brisson’s expertise in crafting crime stories that take your breath away combined with Andy Kuhn’s visceral, impactful art create a violent, chaotic, and vengeance-filled story with a jaw-dropping final chapter.
The collected edition of Wild Animals hits local comic shops and bookstores everywhere on February 3, 2026 from Mad Cave Studios.
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