24Seven Volume 2 Edited by Ivan Brandon
24Seven Volume 2
Edited by Ivan Brandon
Image Comics
Is there any subject matter quite so rife with fictional fodder as artificial intelligence? Editor Ivan Brandon and team answer the question with a decidedly firm ‘probably not,’ with this second volume of the densely-packed robot short story anthology, 24Seven. The stories contained in the book cover a good deal of ground, both artistically and thematically, but largely subscribe to two primary arguments as to the value of topic.
The first, and most obvious, is the fact that robots are cool. They just are, and therefore act as a cool foundation on which to erect a really cool story—particularly one that relies heavily on lots of cool pictures of cool robots. The second is the fact that robots, by their very nature, are both eternally cursed and blessed to exist as perhaps the most perfect allegory for the human condition.
A large number of the works contained herein could have been played out with human actors. Add circuits and wires, and perhaps a punchline about the robot who walks into the bar, asking for motor oil, and you’ve got a brand new story that works, thanks in no small part to that first principle, discussed above.
By the same token, the use of the subject matter, which, in some circles, has been nearly driven into the ground, will likely prove a turnoff for many potential readers. It’s a perfectly understandable complaint—a fair share of the stories presented in 24Seven tread familiar sci-fi territory. Fortunately, even with that potential deal-breaker, right off the bat, there are more than enough solid stories and breath-taking artwork to justify the purchase of the volume, despite the fact that a vast majority of the names that populate the rear of this volume will likely prove unfamiliar to a large number of comic readers.
If anything, the lack of major names amongst the book’s contributors should spur readers to pick up the book, after a quick flip-through reveals the breadth of talent between the book’s covers, a stable of gifted artists spanning a good deal of styles, for many of whom the opportunity to contribute to an anthology put out by a publisher like Image is likely the closest they’ve manage to come to the big game, thus far. Luis Soplena’s artwork for Supergiant Blues could easily land the artist a job storyboarding for Cartoon Network. Newcomer, Justin Randall’s work on Signals, on the other hand, is nearly suitable for framing. The bigger names, like Gene Ha and Gabriel Ba also put everything they have into their contributions.
Storywise, the most successful contributions are those that manage to squeeze the most human warmth from their robotic protagonists, stories that, again, in many cases, would have been nearly as effective, had they starred a cast of flesh and blood characters. Macon Blair’s Celsius Shoots the Freak is a story that tackles the death of a loved one. Fabio Moon’s Magic Age is a quiet meditation on growing old.
In all, there’s more than enough of 24Seven Volume 2 to appease both those looking for works of straight robot noir, and those seeking something a bit more human. Either way, it’s an impressive collection and great introduction to a number of names we’ll likely be hearing a lot about, in the not-too-distant-future. an Brandon”
–Brian Heater
