Review of Feral #10

Stray Souls in Feral #10: A Dark Turn for Our Feline Friends

When you think of Disney’s cel-animated style, “horror” probably isn’t the first word that springs to mind. Yet, Feral #10 takes that style and feeds it darkness, serving up a narrative as compelling as it is chilling. The creative team behind it—writer Tony Fleecs and artists Trish Forstner and Tone Rodriguez—doesn’t shy away from the macabre. Alongside colorist Brad Simpson, they’ve crafted a story where cute meets terrifying on a chillingly intimate level.

A Grim Standoff

It’s been two long days for these forsaken cats. They wander the confines of a house that can’t release them. Each feline carries the weight of hunger like an uncomfortable shadow. And yet, despite their desperation, they face an insurmountable obstacle: the lifeless body of their tyrannical owner blocking their exit. Her presence is a testament to their claustrophobic fate, lending to the story’s unsettling tone.

Trapped within these walls, the cats face a grim decision. One suggests the unthinkable—they might survive only if they eat the woman. Some aren’t onboard with this gruesome suggestion though, feeling loyalty to their former caregiver despite her illness. The group splinters into factions, each wrestling with survival instincts and remnants of misplaced faith.

Sinister Animation

Imagine a world where animated whimsy cloaks the sinister. This issue peels back the layers of innocence to reveal something haunting beneath. The juxtaposition of the inviting art style with the story’s eerie core is striking. The soft lines feel reminiscent of childhood cartoons, yet every panel tugs the tale further into a sinister abyss.

Colorist Brad Simpson embraces this style, weaving hues that enhance rather than dilute the dread. Shadows creep over vibrant backgrounds, giving life to a visual paradox that both mesmerizes and unsettles.

Darkness Deepens

As the tale unfolds, its darkness only deepens. What began as a mildly unsettling narrative now skews into the profoundly unnerving. Despite this shift, the series maintains a strange connection to its roots. The tension builds with each revelation, testing the bounds of the story’s grounded realism.

Interestingly, Fleecs and his team keep weaving this intricate tale without tipping into gratuitous territory. Despite the devilish antics of the story’s antagonist— the old, overbearing cat lady—the series stays remarkably tethered to reality. With every page, there’s a fresh layer of tension, challenging the authors to maintain balance within the realm of believability. As events spiral, the question remains: Can they keep the foundation steady, or will the weight of the dark narrative cause it to crumble?

Final Thoughts

Grade: B

Feral #10 stands as a curious anomaly. It invites readers into a world that’s both familiar and deeply unsettling. With its juxtaposed visuals and narrative heft, it offers a rare blend of dread wrapped in an aesthetically pleasing package.