Author: Robert Venditti (writer) and Brett Weldele (illustrator)
Genre: Graphic novel, sci fit
Reason for Reading: I saw this movie with
mrpet last week. We both enjoyed it though we had a lot of nit-picking comments afterwards.Pages: 158, plus the traditional gallery of covers at the back.
Copyright Date: 2006-2008
Cover: A robot standing on top of a building. Electricity is glowing between its hands. The skyscrape behind it is red.
First frame: A rainy night in blue tones. It shows two people, apparently young and attractive, walking down the street. The sign for Hogan's Tavern is the chief illumination.
Best part: Really an interesting idea.
Worst part: Some of the same issues that
mrpet and I had with the movie. This idea of driving another body with your mind only really works if you can see the body as inessential. Fact is, our bodies have their own needs - for food, water, exercise, sunlight, sex, and rest. I don't think we could leave those needs behind so easily.Imaginary Theme Song: "Shiny Happy People" by REM
Grade: B-
Recommended for: Folks interested in the mind/body split in Western culture.
Related Reads: No related reads I can think of, but there are definite similarities with The Matrix, especially the first movie.
A surrogate is a robot you drive with your brain. It looks like you, only better. It moves like you, only more gracefully. It can eat and take drugs for you, only more safely. In the year 2054, 92% of Americans are using surrogates. No downside has been found. But that is about to change.
I liked this graphic novel a lot. I thought it left the movie version in the dust. It was delightfully gritty.
