The specific page and column that I chose in the graphic novel We3 is found on pg. 93, specifically on the right column, top two pictures (can be viewed here). To me this is one of the most powerful images and dialogue scenes in the entire novel, right before Dr. Roseanne takes a bullet and dies for Bandit. One of the first things I noticed about this sequence is that in the first picture, Bandit appears to be crying as he approaches Dr. Roseanne, perhaps after he hears her say “Oh, I’m so sorry.” This may indeed be his response to her reaction of seeing him. But it may instead be a gasping breath of relief, as he has finally, after venturing such a long journey, come home. Instead of a response, it’s more of a “tears of rain” moment, where Bandit, after living his life, part of it sucked out of him literally by machine, can take one breath. This is reinforced by the dialogue in the next picture down, where Bandit finally feels he is at home in her arms. This to me is one of the most important images in the book. Here we see the lasers from the guns above pointed to Bandit’s head, signifying that he is about to be shot dead. Furthermore we can see the machinery firmly implanted on his head, showing the abuse he has taken by man. Lastly and most importantly we see that Bandit is at his moment of peace in this image, and places his utmost trust with her. “Home now,” he says. And considering that in the next sequence it is Dr. Roseanne who takes the bullet for him, it speaks of Dr. Roseanne’s connection to the animals. So whether the first shot is a response to her crying, or whether it’s a cry of relief, these two shots present extremely powerful imagery to us as readers of what it means to be “Home.”
