After glibly paging through Raised by Squirrels, I expected to like the book, not love it. But I was thrown into a world of espionage and intrigue from the first page. This isn’t just a spy comic: it’s a story to be appreciated for the sheer fun it brings to life. Written and illustrated by Bram and Monika Meehan, Raised by Squirrels is a collaborative effort worthy of praise.
The story opens with Rose, a spy working for an American espionage program called S.Q.R.L., as she tracks down her former partner, Tyler McAllister, in a bid to recruit him once again. It turns out that the program was originally assembled as late as the 1980s to train and developed superhumans for the defensive of the United States (though I find it hard to believe that the befuddled Ronald Regan would support something so enticing). But Tyler was betrayed during his time in S.Q.R.L., nearly assassinated by the organization’s former chief, Director Gabriel. Tyler is wanted to sign back on after everything begins to fall apart around S.Q.R.L., and once he agrees, a head-spinning adventure begins in the hunt for America’s most clandestine of secrets.
At first, Raised by Squirrels comes off as a hybrid of Mission: Impossible and Mark Millar’s The Ultimates, but it’s much more than that. Readers are introduced to a world very much like our own, though tweaked here and there for a unique mood. It’s as if the entire world that the comic is set in is itself a surreptitious planet by nature, and only Tyler and Rose possess the skills to uncover its truths.
The plot pops with wit—there’s not a moment of boredom anywhere to be found. The Meehan team’s writing sets an adventurous speed for the unfolding tale, though at times the transitions between scenes and flashbacks are a bit confusing, lacking the clarity of what exactly is going on when. And because the story races forward without mercy, the relationship between Rose and Tyler is left behind in the dust, lacking the rapport that made the partnerships in stories like Pulp Fiction and The X-Files so appealing.
The sketchy black-and-white illustrations are a dream to look at. The mood is never lost because the lively imagery acts as a creative sponge, soaking up the very spirit of the comic. Even the lettering is unique. Appearing at times like gritty notes scribbled on a legal pad, the letter formations throughout the book add a subtle glow to the unfolding plot.
Tyler, Rose, and their compatriots are hardboiled heroes, and I love them for it. Raised by Squirrels delivers all the fun and satisfaction I could have ever wanted from an indie title, showcasing the blooming talent that exists outside of the corporate comic book industry. Then again, could I expect anything less from a book created in part by a guy coolly named Bram?
This comic book review originally appeared on Comic News on 06 August 2009.
