Legend, Vol. 1: Defend the Grounds

After a bioterror agent wipes out most of humanity, tribes of animals are left behind, and factions of dogs and cats try to assert some semblance of control over their environment. When Ransom, the leader of the dog tribe, is murdered by a creature called the Endark, an English pointer named Legend takes command of the dogs. However, he’ll need the help of his feline foes for him and his tribe to make sense of the world they now inhabit. Superbly written by Sattin (The Silent End; League of Somebodies) and beautifully illustrated by Koehler, in his graphic novel debut, the tale follows through on the premise, exploring creatures trying to understand a world they didn’t make without becoming, in the process, just like those who did. Koehler’s monochromatic palette and crisp shadows capture the somber postapocalyptic world with both terror and sorrow. It’s not simply a great what-if story, but a close examination of how societies evolve. (Dec.)