Kickstarter Alert: Metropo – Eight Stories from the Unending City
Kickstarters are a great way to try something new, both as a reader and as a creator; the latter having a chance to push boundaries of the expected norm. Whilst that sounds all well and good, lets not forget it gives writers and artists a change to solidify their talent, to build on the things that they like to create. Metropo certainly falls in to that last category. With today’s audiences weaned on cyber-punk classic literature from Wilson Gibson, movies such as The Matrix and Blade Runner along with the long running comic 2000 A.D, there is probably not a great deal more that can be added to the genre. Still that issue has never stopped the dearth of vampire of zombie movies, right?
I have read Magnus Aspli’s work before, mainly the excellent crime noir book Spiral, so despite the change of scenery, I was looking forward to reading another of his books. For the record, I can take or leave cyber-punk, with its almost always dark interpretation of the future. Aspli, possibly aware of the limitations of the genre, sets his sights firmly within the populist structures of the framework, where desperate characters take desperate actions, whilst an uncaring an unfeeling world revolves around them.. This may seem like a harsh comment to make, but I firmly believe it is by setting up shop in the commonality of cyber-punk, that Aspli gets to show his strength as a writer, making the reader care about the characters in their short story descent.
Along with Aspli, there are a collection of artists including Vivian Troung, Rob Croonenborghs, Mary Safro and Naomi Franquiz. 
Each deliver their respective art in the black and white format, which gives the book a level of darkness. Visually, there may be shades of grey, although there are no grey choices for those involved.  In a lot of ways, their structure of the genre allows for some telling human stories. Raindrop Hatch with its metaphor for wanting better for those that follow us is at its core a story about giving those younger a sense of hope, a recognition that a better life isn’t guaranteed.  Troung’s art works well, carrying the emotional elements throughout the story, with deft touches of light and dark shadings. Automobile could work as an episode of Black Mirror, where Walkaways with art by Mary Safro is a story about life’s pressures and of running away coupled with the irony of people being judged by their possessions. 
Every Moment is a Moment Forward is probably the least straightforward of the comic stories, with art by Naomi Franquiz, that is, at first glance, a tad confusing. Sticking with it, the story makes sense as the every watching eyes of “mans faithful” friend sees all, yet its point of view on the actions around it are lost to interpretation. Along with the comic stories are a number of text pieces that help build on the Aspli’s world. All the stories in the book are written by Aspli, so recurring themes are present, each adding to a greater tapestry.
Metropo is a well written book, featuring a range of art, that will appeal to fans of cyber-punk and equally to those that are new to the genre,
The book is now live on Kickstarter.
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All of the stories are written by Magnus Aspli and features art by Naomi Franquiz, Cryoclaire, Rob Croonenborghs and Vivian Truong. The book“s cover is by John Jamtli and features illustrations in between stories by Emerson Dimaya.
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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