Dark Horse has done it once again. When one considers non-American comics these days, one thinks of manga that's been translated for the U.S. market. Dark Horse certainly has plenty of that to offer, but the editors there seem well aware there's something interesting work going on in Europe as well. This translation of a French graphic novel -- originally published in 2000 -- presents the reader with a strong creative voice with a lot to say about politics, the status quo, technology and the growing divide among people. The artwork is meticulously crafted, and the cold, distant tone of the characters and sci-fi script is a chilling reflection of our own world.
Mr. Firmin works at the city's land registry, and he fears for the future of his work. The city is being transformed by fast-moving technology and slow-moving lawmakers. A loophole in construction regulations has opened the door for the citizenry to erect its own walls, creating new microcosms and social divides. The city's so-called leaders turn to technology to resolve a problem created by technology, but the result is just further isolation of human beings from one another.
Mathieu's characters are generally simple in design, but it's easy to recognize the same sort of faces from our world -- older faces -- in those that govern the city here. The simplicity of the artist's character designs makes for a sharp contrast with the remarkable level of detail and ambition to be found in such elements at the cityscape settings and the two-dimensional planning maps. Mathieu's style, at least when it comes to the characters, actually reminds me a bit of the styles of Leandro (Wolverine) Fernandez and Eduardo (Batman) Risso.
In this story, technology and ability exceed the grasp of outdated legislation -- no one needs a permit to construct a structure that can be erected within 24 hours -- and it's easy to see parallels to this sci-fi problem in our own lives. Politicians and law-enforcement agencies have yet proven themselves incapable of keeping up with developments of Internet technology and unconventional applications. Mathieu's point is clear: rules and exceptions created for one time do not evolve with the world they govern, and those responsible for updating them are too comfortable with the status quo to realize that it's already passed them by.
I don't think the creator is criticizing how technology has radically altered our lives, and perhaps not for the better. I believe his criticisms are aimed at those who use technology to control other technology, and in the process, to control the masses. He also levels criticism at those who embrace that control, who relinquish individuality for the latest must-have toy. He blasts those who would rather connect with a machine than with another breathing, thinking person. This is dark, thought-provoking reading, and it merits multiple reads. This oversized book boast an ambituous and challenging story that deserves a wider audience.
Note: This graphic novel was not among this week's new releases.
