Geekscape Comics Review: ‘Alex + Ada’ #1
Image Comics new release Alex + Ada pulled me in right from the first image: a twenty-something man and woman facing each other as if on the alter, except the woman has some sort of shipping wrapping instead of a veil. My curiosity got the better of me, so I checked it out and thoroughly enjoyed the premiere issue.
Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn put together an ordinary storyline, but in an extraordinary setting. The main character, Alex, is suffering from a breakup that happened seven months ago, and is pushing his way through work and life. Sure, we’ve all seen this (and been through this) already, right? The difference is all in the setting.
It’s the future, robots are everywhere, and besides the random robot attacks a few months back in California caused by a free will program, they are friendly. The world is a bit too similar to the one in the film iRobot, honestly. People have robots as helpers, holographic phones, and Alex even has a new psychic implant in his head that allows him to control all of his appliances, including his front door and car, via thought. He is also able to communicate with others who have the implant using a psychic phone line.
Alex is lonely, and on his birthday, after an awkward call with his grandmother, who just got herself a robot and is using for…reasons you wouldn’t want to hear from a grandma, he finds himself at a surprise party. He ducks out early and finds that his grandmother has sent him a surprise gift…I’m sure you can guess what it is.
What I liked about the book was the combination of a generic storyline with a setting that really made something familiar a bit more alien. The futuristic inventions, the psychic chip he used, and some of the other setting-related ideas kept me wanting more. I also liked the artwork. It was simple, well-drawn and the projected television screens especially were cool.
What I didn’t like was that the setting was a bit too similar to iRobot. While this storyline seems to be heading towards Alex falling in love with a robot, the world so far is way too close to the Will Smith film.
Overall, I would rate it 4/5 and plan to continue reading Alex + Ada. The first issue hits store shelves on Wednesday, November 6th!
