‘Symmetry’ #1 Comic Review

Knowing the prevalence of dystopian sci-fi stories out there (and having written one, Aphrodite IX, himself) writer Matt Hawkins wanted to create a story set in a true utopia. Symmetry features such a world, where humans and machines co-exist peacefully, AI follows the three rules of robotics, and everyone is happy (or at least very content anyway).

However, as anyone familiar with the concept of ‘utopia’ in conjunction with humanity would know, a true utopian society is impossible. Symmetry starts out with the narrator and protagonist, Michael, recounting just when things went wrong for him personally. A year ago, his older brother Matthew died as a result of his efforts to help Michael and Michael’s beloved Maricela escape (presumably from their native society and its authorities). The scene features Matthew fleeing from some (decidedly not evil) robotic police, of sorts, and ends with Matthew’s poignant last words to his robotic pursuers, “why were we never told the truth?”

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The narrative then flashes farther back to Michael’s birth, and in his recount of his childhood, we learn a little more about the world our protagonist lives in. Babies are born without gender, men and women only enter relationships for reproductive purposes only, and even then they don’t stay together for more than ten or so years. Every person has a RAINA (Responsive Artificial Intelligence Network Archetypes) integrated to their brain at birth, children are raised in communal schools, and they choose their own gender and name when they turn 13.

It really does seem to be a paradise. Helpful, friendly robots take care of all labor and all necessities (food, shelter, etc) are automatically provided to all humans, therefore eliminating the need for anyone to have jobs and money. There is no crime, no fear; just harmony and equality. But the whole while, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Inevitably it does, though I won’t spoil it for you here. Symmetry’s first issue ends having established the setting and leaves the story open for the second issue to begin with the initial spark of its overall conflict.

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Artist Raffaele Ienco has drawn Symmetry in a realistic style with beautiful color and shading. The images and lettering all blend together nicely (as opposed to the text bubbles and lettering sharply contrasting with the art’s realism), and generally, the style suits the story and genre well.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading Symmetry, and definitely want to find out what happens next. I’d recommend it to anyone who’s a fan of sci-fi. For those of us who prefer a focus on characters and plot, the story itself doesn’t get bogged down by all the little science details. However, for any readers who do enjoy the extra information, the writer has included a “science class” at the end of the issue where he goes into more detail about the world within Symmetry, so there’s enough to keep everyone happy.

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