The Hive continues the surreal journey of Doug, a character reminiscent of Tintin, as he navigates a nightmarish alternate reality. In this second installment of Charles Burns’s trilogy, Doug finds himself employed in the Hive, a dystopian environment where he transports supplies to captive breeders. Simultaneously, he reflects on his fragmented past, particularly his troubled relationship with his missing girlfriend, Sarah, and the mysterious events that led to their separation. Burns masterfully intertwines Doug’s distorted reality with his memories, creating a narrative that explores themes of identity, loss, and the subconscious. The graphic novel’s vivid, unsettling imagery and intricate storytelling invite readers into a world that is both haunting and thought-provoking, solidifying Burns’s reputation for pushing the boundaries of the medium.
THE HIVE
