A man, a woman—and their parasites. Marcus has been alone since the loss of his closest friend and has just recently entered into the dating scene, while Laura has drifted in and out of relationships since high school. They meet, they have a great first date, and Marcus almost dies—because the slug-like parasite that everybody carries in this world nearly rejects him, its host. Bonding is a funny, quirky, and honest look at love, in a world where everyone wears their anxiety, not on their sleeves, but on their chest like big ol’ leeches.

This comic book presents an intriguing concept but falls short in execution. While the premise of this comic book promises an engaging narrative, the issue struggles with pacing and depth, which has left me personally wanting more.

The story in this comic book introduces a world where people form symbiotic relationships with alien parasites, a concept ripe with potential for exploring themes of connection and dependency.

The writing in this comic book attempts to delve into this unique world, but the narrative feels disjointed and lacks a clear direction. The plot unfolds rapidly, jumping between scenes without providing sufficient context or development, which has left me confused and disconnected from the story.

The character development is particularly lacking in this comic book. The protagonists are not given enough depth to make their journeys compelling or relatable. Their motivations and backgrounds are only superficially explored, leaving their actions feeling unconvincing. This lack of characterization makes it difficult for me personally to form an emotional connection with the characters or become invested in their outcomes.

The artwork in this comic book, while visually appealing, does little to enhance the storytelling. The illustrations capture the alien nature of the world but lack the detail and expressiveness needed to convey the emotional nuances of the narrative. The art style, while technically proficient, fails to elevate the story or compensate for its shortcomings.

One of the main challenges I had with this comic book is its pacing. The narrative moves quickly from one event to the next without allowing time for tension to build or characters to develop. This hurried approach results in a preview that feels more like a collection of loosely connected scenes than a cohesive story. I was personally left with a sense of confusion rather than intrigue, as crucial plot points are glossed over or inadequately explained.

Despite its shortcomings this comic book does contain moments that hint at its potential. The concept of symbiotic relationships with alien beings is intriguing and, with more focused storytelling, could become a compelling narrative. However, the issue fails to capitalize on this potential, offering little more than a surface-level exploration of its themes.

I Give This Book 2 / 5