This was a webcomic I had not previously encountered.
On the one hand, it's fun and kind of cute. We have some elements of viewing the absurdity of human society through alien eyes. Looking at our relics without context. That's always a fun experiment. On the other hand, it doesn't seem to have much point apart from that. We're looking at four different time periods that seem to mark significant changes in their society with no explanation. I wanted to understand the things that had prompted those changes.

An inane comic about aliens who show up on Earth after humans disappear. They randomly go through our stuff and wonder what it is. This should be funnier than it actually is. What it is, is a waste of time.

We Are Here Forever from Michelle Gish is a simple, fun little collection of loosely connected vignettes about some cute creatures.

I really wanted to enjoy this more than I did but there were a couple small things that kept me from completely buying in. That said, the concept allows for some subtle commentary about human consumerism as well as the human gift/curse of thinking and overthinking everything. Many of the social structures these creatures have created are based on what they think they have learned about the humans who came before them. But even when they copy a social structure or even a concept such as war, they lack the innate baseness of the human race to turn it into a truly harsh and hateful thing. So no big companies or religions, government is more like children playing at being adults, even to the point of eventually finding peaceful cooperative ways to coexist. Again, obviously, the lack of religion. Thus the explanation for why the book will go over the heads of those with a belief in most religions. But even a rudimentary understanding of philosophy will allow at least some understanding, even if not an appreciation, of what is going on here. Barring senility of course.

Since I was not familiar with the webcomic prior to this, that is not a necessity, so I would recommend this to anyone who wants just a simple comic "story" to read. There is some humor but not laugh out loud, more a chuckle and maybe a thought about the underlying comic point. Don't take my mentioning of no religion as meaning this book is anti-religion, I was just pointing out what bureaucracies and mythologies weren't present in their lives, not expressing what the book was trying to say. So one's faith, whether in reality or an organized religion, won't have a large affect on whether you like the book.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

If you're looking for exciting stories, laugh out loud humor, a discernible plot, this book might not be for you, but I really enjoyed it. This book is quiet, pleasant, and cute; the characters are sweet and quirky, the stories told sparsely, but there are some profound moments to make you think. There are many unanswered questions, and I'm okay with that- not all questions get answered in life. This is a book I'd read again and again, it's like comfort food for the brain!

#WeAreHereForever #NetGalley

This was a cute and quick read. I had never seen the web comic before reading this, but I'd definitely be up for looking into it further. The art style was cute, and it was surprisingly thought-provoking.

A book I didn't know I'd take to, but which actually proved a decent mix of the immature and the genuinely knowing and telling. In a bright and colourful post-apocalyptic world the place is populated only by lilac-coloured Tribble-type things. With no humans around they are still exploring what we left behind, whether it be weird insulated vent places, or, er, skateboard shops. In another mood I might have found it all too nonsensical and silly, being as childish as it looks. But I think there is a more serious message here, about our society's interests and wants – the king getting appeased by a new invention some wannabe scientists knock up together, the way they entertain themselves, and so on. If this is just a joyous entertainment I think it's something to be read once and forgotten, but if you see it as a parable about how any main species on the planet just wastes life barking up the wrong tree, with added lessons about art and family, then this is actually quite pertinent and clever.

Not my cup of tea but original and cute. I'm not sure what age group this would appeal to. I would read a second installment.

Thanks to Quirk and NetGalley for the advanced reader in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first visit to Puramus and I found it strangely confusing. But, the thought that the Earth may be filled with purple blobs who take care of one another long after we are gone is somehow comforting.

Apparently, one doesn't need to have read the webcomic to enjoy this graphic novel. I don't know about that. I thought this was one of the weakest graphic novels I've read recently. Most of the chapters are pretty inane, rather boring, and lacking in any real substance. Only the last one really had anything interesting going for it.

The characters are... well, simple. I don't think they're particularly cute. They're basically just purple cushions with butt cheeks. (Butt cheeks can't carry a whole book, though, as I found out the hard way when I read Megan Dong's Sharky Malarkey.) The evolution of the Puramus is probably the only interesting thing about them, and even then, it's not enough to make me want to spend any more time with these characters.

Each chapter seems more flimsy and insubstantial than the last. I got the feeling as I was reading it that the author/illustrator simply enjoys drawing these little creatures. That's fine. And maybe it works better as a webcomic, but it really doesn't work as a graphic novel. Yes, there's an overarching storyline, but it's as thin as gossamer, and the rest of the book nearly breaks it with its mundane weight. One of these boring stories would've been enough; I didn't need to read twelve of them to get the gist.

I think this one will probably only appeal to existing fans of the webcomic. Even so, I'm not sure I see the appeal. I guess this one's just not my thing.

This collection of comics was so cute! I loved the Puramus. It was fun to see how to evolved through the years.
I found it very funny too. Like one of them couldn’t find a pig and it said “all I know is misery.” And it was just so dramatic in such a funny way.
I do wish I knew what happened to the humans, but I think that’s part of the story, that you don’t know.

Thanks for sharing this one. I loved the dry humour mixed in with the cuteness. My full review appears on Weekend Notes.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

In this colorful tale we learn about a species of creatures called the Puramus who inhabit the world after all the humans have gone extinct. While these little creatures seem so cute and innocent, with their lovely purple color and adorable faces, maybe they aren't as innocent as we first believe.

The illustrations are bright and pleasing to the eyes. The Puramus are drawn adorably and are so unique.

The stories within this graphic novel and quite simple and make for easy mindless reading. While it wasn't one of the better graphic novels I've read, I didn't hate it. It was simply ok. I wouldn't be interested in reading it again.

I for one welcome our adorable purple successors.

King, Poppy, Jingle, and Pot are adorable, floofy purple quadrupeds who live and play in the detritus of human society. Their planet is curiously devoid of humans and pigs alike, yet evidence of our past existence abounds…and most of it tastes delicious.

Puramuses – as we once called our good-natured friends – will eat literally anything, from pink flowers to mysterious glowing orbs and more boring things, like lightbulbs and spoons. Luckily we humans left a ton of stuff for them to devour.

Told in four acts, WE ARE HERE FOREVER follows multiple generations of the Puramus as they adapt to life on this new planet. Watch as King sends his sons Pot, Box, and Bowl on a quest to find him a new flarg, or as he fends off an attack from a neighboring village. Get to know aspiring poet Jingle as she searches for the meaning of art. And follow PuffPuff and Bubble on their respective journeys, which may shed a light on what happened to their ancestors’ human friends.

The apocalypse has never been so snuggable.

WE ARE HERE FOREVER started out (like most great things do) as a webcomic of the same name (which I managed to miss, like I usually do). There’s some new content in the book, and also some comics that didn’t make the cut, so definitely read them both if you enjoy one or the other.

If it seems like a silly-cute idea for a comic, it is; but it works, and works spectacularly. These squishy purple herbivores are surprisingly relatable, whether trying to assemble some Ikea bookshelves, suffering a crippling bout of anxiety, or bemoaning the lack of pigs to pet.

If I ever met a Puramus IRL, I would hug them gently, even if it meant my certain death.

I really enjoyed this collection of stories about the adorable purple aliens known as Puramus. The book is a mixture of new comics and a selection from the webcomic. I didn't understand why it didn't include everything from the webcomic. However, I really enjoyed the book and now I want to meet some Puramus, even if they do end all human life on Earth!

A different and interesting graphic novel that explores a post-apocalyptic world that features cute creatures called the Puramus. The illustrations and stories were cute and playful and it definitely elicited some smiles though I wouldn't call it hilarious. Ultimately a very short, cute and fluffy read.

2,5 STARS

The main reason I decided to read this story was because of the cover, which is kinda cute and gives off feel-good wibes, and the blurb - mainly the part where it describes the story as "post-apocalyptic sci fi, dry humor, and utter adorability". Just seeing that had me sold. I really thought that this could be one of my new favourite books. But to be completely honest, apart from the cute and adorable illustrations and some of the characters personalities, there was nothing more to the story. No dry humor, not even normal humor, no real plot and in the end I just skimmed through the scenes. There were also some unanswered questions about what happened to the previous race aka. humans and animals. I don't know, this just wasn't my cup of tea. Maybe some will find the story more fun than me and give it a try...

This was a sweet and funny book abou these creatures that came into existence after the humans disappeared. It’s a bunch of comics about these purple creatures discovering the world.

***Thanks to the publisher and to #Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an hoenst review***

And, honestly, I didn't get it. The illustrations were appealing, but the humor was stale and I was a little bored.

A quirky, endearing book, packed with charming characters and funny situations. To quote one of the Parumas: “[I] must go now...so [I] can look at more stuff!” (More We Are Here Forever stuff, of course!)

We are Here Forever began its life as a webcomic, and this graphic novel does not hold the full story. However, having no prior knowledge of the webcomic, I felt that I was fully capable of enjoying and loving these funky purple critters. They are full of so much life and emotion, I found myself laughing on every page.

I think this is a great example of an all ages comic. There are some lessons that are great for somewhat younger readers that are important reminders for older readers. This story also asks some big questions about the nature of humanity, and why we can’t seem to get our acts together and coexist.

If you are looking for a new graphic novel to add to your TBR I highly recommend We are Here Forever! It goes on sale on July 30th, and I can’t wait for more readers to fall in love with the Puramus.