IDW is known for publishing some high quality art books — many involving artist Ashley Wood in some capacity — and World War Robot would fit quite well along side of them with its full-page and multi-page art spreads.
But there's a story here too, which is what I was looking for. I started seeing WWR-related toys being produced by three A toys, and had to pick up some Squares from the line. Intrigued by the whole back story, I was glad to see Wood had already put out the WWR book.
You do get some back story with WWR, but it comes in the form of short snippets from journals and letters home from the battlefront. The battle in question involves Earthling colonizers of Mars vs. the stay-at-home Earthlings, with a bunch of war-wreaking robots thrown into the mix. Also involved are the mad genius Rothchild who's behind the robots' creation, selling to both sides from a moon base; mercenaries; and — based on the toy line — zombie soldiers.
You don't get a full-on story with the text pieces accompanying the art in WWR, but writer T.P. Louise gives you enough in the letters and news pieces to develop a pretty cool world. (Well, a pretty cool world for the reader, not so much if you live in it.) Whether it's a SNAFU Mars mission, or a Terran tale of a 'bot left behind, you get human tales from a fucked up world gone robot.
And while the book is short on text, what's there is compelling enough to want more. I guess that's where volume 2 will fit in.
Wood's work varies between a light, thin lined, often colorful pencil style, and a heavy, thick oil painting style — often employing both in the same books. WWR is done completely in the latter style, and while I usually prefer his former style, Wood's dark paintings here are as badass as you'd expect considering the material.
Looking forward to the next volume, and the arrival of my Squares.
