Available at Amazon.com

When reviewing this graphic novel, I have tried to be as impartial as I can be. But the problem is that I am just a Jim Butcher fan that it is very hard. I have read all of the books, I am play testing the RPG based on it. Yeah, I am a fan. But I did at least attempt to be as partial as I could.

It probably was not very successful.

Welcome to the Jungle was a 4 issue comic release revolving around Jim Butcher’s creation, Harry Dresden. For those of you familiar with the story, it takes place shortly after his first novel, Storm Front.

The story is this. Harry is called to the Lincoln Zoo by Lieutenant Murphy to determine whether a savage murder was just that, or something of the “weird”. I think based on whom the story is about, you can guess the answer to that one. So Harry then tries to solve the murder and prevent as ascension of power by a few power hungry fiends.

You know the usual.

The story. I am such a fan of Harry Dresden that I loved this. It gave you a little more about Harry when he was not that powerful. Before all of the other things that happened to him when the novels really took off. His precarious relationship with Murphy and how you feel like she could try to arrest him at any moment. They are sort of friends, but there is so much pressure on her to try to solve those “weird” cases that she has very limited patience for Harry and his flippant mouth.

I don’t want to get too much into the story, since some of you may not have read it as of yet. It is pretty short, so I will avoid spoilers here.

As usual, Harry gets in over his head. I think that is his calling in life. But there is something about how deep down he cares. Not always for people in general, but specifically if something happens to someone. He even says that in general, people suck. But persons are worthwhile. That is a very telling statement. I really connect with Harry in a lot of ways. So that explains my initial interest in these stories.

The artwork. I was blown away about how spot on Harry and Murphy were. They really are how I pictured them. The artwork was done by Ardian Syaf and it was very good. This is something that would have hurt the book (like it did to the TV show to an extent) and it was handled very well.

Overall, a great time. Harry is such a smart mouth and lord knows he gets himself into a lot of trouble. But beyond that, he does what he feels is right and tries to protect others as much as he can. Rating 9.5 out of 10.

I guess I was not THAT impartial.

Review by Stacey Chancellor

Tags | dresden-files, horror comics, jim-butcher, magic