Writer: Jonathan Luna & Sarah Vaughn
Art: Jonathan Luna
Publisher: Image Comics
WHAT IS IT?
A love story/drama about lonely man who is given a very human android as a partner. Think the movie Her gently mixed with a little Black Mirror.
WHAT'S IT ABOUT? (Minor Spoilers)
Alex’s fiancée breaks up with him, which turns him into just another sad, lonely white guy. He’s awkward and depressing to his friends, so his grandmother sends him this highly realistic android woman named Ada.
Alex doesn’t care for her because he wants to connect on a deeper, more human level. It sounds like other owners have felt this way too and, because people are people, folks found ways around the programming to accelerate the AI and allow these robots to think for themselves, effectively making them human, or very close to it.
Unfortunately, this not only opens an ethical can of proverbial worms, but also a legal one, as this is Strictly Not Allowed. But, for Alex + Ada, there’s no going back.
WHAT WORKS?
It’s refreshing to read a comic that centers around relationships instead of superheroes or high scifi/fantasy
The tone, topic and overall story feel like a new spin on classic light scifi tropes, focusing on issues that feel very human and not far off from modern life
The art & story also feels more subtle and sterile than other comics, which focuses the reader on facial expressions and emotion
Has classic trappings of the Romance genre mixed with serious ethical discussions
The creators worked on it closely as a team, which really helps make it feel more cohesive
Has plenty more story left in the next two volumes
WHAT DOESN'T WORK?
This comic is a light “M” for language, if you’re sensitive about that
The main character is a depressed, straight white guy, and Ada only gets agency after he frees her mind
Art has been called “painfully plain” (you can be the judge of that after seeing the image below) – I wasn’t really bothered by it
Plot moves a bit more slowly than more action-oriented comics
WHY SHOULD I READ IT?
It’s a story with a lot of heart and a nice change of pace from conventional modern comics that raises some interesting ethical questions.
WHAT DO I READ NEXT?
If you like the writing:
Eternal Empire, Vol. 1 by Sarah Vaughn & Jonathan Luna
Y: The Last Man, Vol. 1 by Brian K. Vaughan & Pia Guerra
Descender, Vol. 1 by Jeff Lemire & Dustin Nguyen
If you like the art:
Alex + Ada, Vol. 2 by Sarah Vaughn & Jonathan Luna
East of West, Vol. 1 by Jonathan Hickman & Nick Dragotta
X-Men Legacy, Vol. 1 by Simon Spurrier & Tan Eng Huat
ABOUT THE CREATORS
Sarah Vaughn – Story
Multitalented: Also does art for comics!
She is a big fan of romance stories
Quit Twitter in 2016
Jonathan Luna – Story, Art & Letters
Dream Team: Often works with Sarah Vaughn or his brother, Joshua Luna
Grew up on overseas military bases in Iceland and Italy
In 2006, one of his comics was picked up for a pilot for a TV show that featured Lena Headey & Peter Dinklage
HOW DO I BUY IT?
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