Image Comics 2016
Written by Sara Kenney
Illustrated by John Watkiss
Coloured by James Devlin
Lettered by Jared K. Fletcher
What do you get if you cross a far-right British government with an antibiotic apocalypse and a gruesome murder? The birth of Surgeon X and her renegade practice.
What I found interesting about this is the fact that it’s being ripped from today’s medical headlines. I’ve seen news reports on this very subject that doctors are too quick to prescribe antibiotics and that there are countries where they are countries that have them available over the counter creating a world where they are becoming less and less effective. While this takes that whole premise to the extreme the threat is real and one that should be taken seriously. What Sarah brings us with this story may be fictional it’s still one possible scenario of things to come and that’s both terrifying and thrilling at the same time.
This is a well thought out and researched story. The first issue gives us a very good, strong clear look at our lead character Rosa. Sarah does a great job in both setting the stage for what is currently happening and the chain of events that lead up to that event. I found myself really caught up in the story which is set only twenty years in the future. Using London as the setting is great as the Island Nation is a great place to showcase a number of things including a large population in a short place.
I like the interior artwork here as well. The iconic imagery that opens up the book is great. The look, tone and feel of the characters, actions and setting are on point. There’s a unique style to the work that’s decidedly comic book style but has it’s own flair that I like. The use of page layouts through angles, perspective and backgrounds really bring the reader into the story nicely and flesh out the bigger picture. There’s some really nice attention to detail here as well it works with the writing to keep you engaged in the story.
I like that we also get the threat of what happens when a far-right government takes control of a populace. The reactions that people have and the rioting, protesting and destruction that takes place as a result of their political beliefs are almost as scary in itself as the fact that people are in such a dire straights regarding antibiotics and health care. The actions we see this form of government taking that lead up to the actions of the issue itself showcase a vision of what could happen, not what will but it isn’t a large leap of faith to see things going this route.
With a strong female lead who is intelligent and willing to fight for what she believes in set in world seemingly gone mad this a look at what could come to pass. The threat is real even if the scenario is fictional. I tip my hat to Sarah for telling this story and bringing both education and entertainment in an action/thriller setting.