Publisher: Iron Circus Comics
Release Date: October 2018
Price: $30.00
Creator(s): Various; edited by Amanda Lefrenais
Format: 336 pgs., B&W, Trade Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-9458-2020-5
Age Rating: N/A
ICv2 Rating: 4 Stars out of 5
Much of the best science fiction examines the possible, and the results of altering some aspect of human society. The stories in this graphic anthology mostly examine the aftermath of someone discovering an inexpensive faster-than-light engine, and posting the plans on the Internet. The rest of a working spaceship still needs to be built, but the FTL engine is cheap and relatively simple to build. So, what will people do?
Other stories have looked at the effects of a sudden exodus, or of every ethnic, cultural or religious group deciding to form its own interstellar colony, but that’s not where this book goes. Most of the tales here are of a more personal nature. Things like a video blog to the supporters of an exploratory trip, or a recluse moving his family to an alien world. These are small, personal stories about believable characters in a universe that is changing.
Also, because the "rules" of the anthology didn’t specify how the FTL engine worked, a couple of story creators combined the concept with others, to create things like a rapid shuttle to Mars, or working on turning your personal car into a spaceship.
Because each of the many stories in the volume is by a different combination of creators, not every reader will enjoy every story. Some are weaker in quality of art or writing, or farther afield from the basic shared theme, but overall this is a very readable anthology of graphic science fiction, with characters based on the realities of our own world.
The stories are aimed at older teens and adults.
--Nick Smith: Library Technician, Community Services, for the Pasadena Public Library in California.