Social Blunderer

Made in Korea is a science-fiction take on the Pinocchio fable. Written by Jeremy Holt with art by George Schall Made in Korea is a thrilling read that tackles themes like what it means to be a parent, how difficult it can be to forge your identity in adolescence, and, how to be human.

Much like the very best science-fiction, it presents characters with opportunities and dilemmas that ask fundamental questions about ethics and the sort of world we want in our future.

The story focuses on Jess, an android who has been given the ability to grow emotionally. Sent away by her creator to protect the code that makes her unique she is adopted by an American family. Early in the comic, there is a commentary on the vanity of foreign adoptions with children seen as objects to be shown off rather than people to be loved. There is also an exploration of how being an immigrant can leave someone feeling isolated and turning to the wrong people for companionship. Being part of a diaspora can be difficult and that also forms part of Jess’s journey too as she is not American made and struggles to fit in with other humans.

Her struggles to adapt and the turmoil she goes through genuinely tugged on my heartstrings. You just want everyone to leave her alone.

Made in Korea is shockingly violent at times. Much more so because Jess is so disturbed by it. The story is also an attack on capitalism’s need to commoditise everything. What can and should be owned by private corporations is something we all need to ask ourselves. 

I haven’t mentioned the art yet. It is superb. The choice to design a world that is close enough to our own evokes feelings of uneasiness. Schall makes bold and assured storytelling choices when laying out the panels. A sense of vulnerability permeates the page especially in sequences when Jess and her family are the focus. The effect of this results in a comic that charms the reader. This is a beautifully plotted story that has equally beautiful art.

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Set in the world of The Walking Dead, Clementine is a book about survival, trust, friendship and trauma.

Clementine is an amputee who has grown up in a world gone to hell. Walden imbues Clementine with both strength and vulnerability, and she is a compelling character that acts far tougher than she feels she wants to in order to survive. Walden’s trademark is writing gripping characters. Clementine is no different where there is a supporting cast that includes twins teenage girls that may have less than altruistic motivations and an Amish wanderer full of hope.
Both the relationships between the characters and the dialogue are absorbing.

The story starts with our heroine wandering alone in a wasteland before coming across a settlement where she meets Amos, who is setting out on his rumspringa. The pair decide to journey to an abandoned ski resort in Vermont, where they meet up with a small group of teenagers attempting to build a new, walker-free settlement.

In the ARC, Walden’s art was unfinished. The sections of the book that had completed art were gorgeous. Walden’s flair for action sequences and intimate introspective moments is on full display. As is Walden’s knack for capturing moments where characters try to hide how vulnerable they feel.  

That said, I would struggle to recommend  Clementine. The art is excellent, and the writing is good, but I have no interest in revisiting The world of The Walking Dead. It’s so bleak, and I take no pleasure in going there. Because it is part of a bigger universe of stories, there were some moments where I felt confused. A book should be able to stand on its own, which Clementine did for the most part. However, I understand that Clementine is a prominent character in the video games. It did seem to me that some of the more impactful emotional moments would have hit harder if I had played them.  

It’s odd, I liked lots about the book, but the fatal flaw is that I just don’t want to read more zombie fiction. Especially if that fiction does not tell us anything new. Walden’s previous work felt fresh and exposed me to perspectives that I hadn’t considered before. The most disappointing thing for me is that Walden did not tackle Kirkman’s thesis that humanity is doomed to a cycle of failure and despair. It’s a book where the technical achievements in both art and writing are overshadowed by the fact the story takes place in a stale and tiresome world.    

by the book here. we get kick a little money if you do.