Review: Not All Robots #5

Did you know that this year (2021), is the 45 years anniversary of the movie Logans Run? Influences from the granddaddy of a broken future story are present in this new book from AWA, as are elements from the The Matrix, I, Robot, Black Mirror and a couple of Star Trek episodes.

In 2056, humans have turned society’s rules and regulations to the robots. Each home comes readily equipped with their own robot; robots go to work whilst the humans lead a life of almost obsolescence. An uneasy alliance of peace exists between the superior races and the inferior. But which, human or robot, is which? When a Mom takes it upon herself to deactivate the family house robot, over what she sees as abhorrent behaviour then the law must step in and I am not talking about Asimov’s Laws of Robotics!

Mark Russell has written any number of books, seems to have taken a more satirical approach of late. Here, the societal impacts of giving up power, possible effects on the environment to the idea of self-preservation all fall under Russell’s “not what you think'” imagination. Russell has taken aspects from several sources and looked to create something new. Whilst not wholly successful, the story is engaging, with characters that cover the gamut of human responses. There is the family first Mom, the rebellious kids and the apathetic Dad who is looking for the status quo to continue. There is a lot humour throughout the story, although it is very situational. Russell also shows more of the world outside the safety of the city even if it feels a little too quick and easy.

The art is provided by Mike Deodato Jr. who moves away from the curvy style that you may expect and delivers a more realistic style, that whilst may lack dynamism, it does reflect the world weary darkness that seems to encapsulate this world. Deodato Jr. goes for a less is more approach which resembles his work on Bad Mother. There are strong facial elements in play, along with an almost cinematic approach to panel design. Other aspects, such as the house gift, carries an oblique sort of non-awareness that surely hints at something sinister down the line. The mature look is also due to the excellent colors from Lee Loughridge who gives the perceived utopia a seedy and dark scheme, hinting that not everything is as paradisal as the human or robots would like. I had to do some digging as letterer Sal Cipriano was not credited on my preview copy (shame AWA). Cipriano keeps fonts simple, using good emphasis at times along with what I consider a traditional style for robotic speech.

Writing – 4 Stars
Art – 4 Stars
Colors – 4 Stars

Overall – 4 Stars

Written by; Mark Russell
Art by; Mike Deodato Jr.
Colors by; Lee Loughridge
Letters by; Sal Cipriano
Published by; AWA Studios (Artists, Writers & Artisans)

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

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