Intro
If this title makes you think of Star Wars' C-3PO, then you're on the right track. Cyborgs abound in We3. It is a beautiful, violent graphic novel by famous comics writer Grant Morrison. Morrison's early work included a long, multi-part comic series titled Animal Man about a pro-animal superhero whose powers come from whatever animals are around him at any given time. Pretty cool stuff.
In a lot of ways We3 builds upon Wells's Doctor Moreau. It is Moreau set in the late twentieth-century—at a time when it's not lone, crazy scientists but the governments and militaries of the world that are pioneering new uses for animals—and turning them into trained killing machines. Yikes.
The novel features a cast of nonhuman protagonists including a rabbit, a dog, and a cat—the "3" of We3. The animals are armed to the teeth, smart, and are able to communicate with each other. It's only a matter of time before they go rogue and put the hurt on their human overlords.
Quote
"But replacing an expensive and outmoded workforce with efficient animal slaves is only one very small application of our research and development program."
"With your commitment assured, our intention is to save the lives of countless men and women in our armed services."
Analysis
In this quote military consultants and scientists discuss the application of their animal killing machines. Their creators call the animals "slaves," setting up a background for our star critters—rabbit, dog, and cat—to rebel against.
The rational and procedural tone of this quote mocks the scientists' out-of-control ego at thinking they can use nonhumans to prevent the loss of "countless men and women"—Morrison's' critique here is aimed at the idea that the way to end war's toll on life is not to end war, but to wage war by other means.
The rampage that the three critters go on—captured in awesome, perverse detail by illustrator Frank Quitely—is a rejection of the scientists' self-assured but actually flimsy sense of control. Take that, men in white coats!