NYC2123: Dayender review (Chad & Paco Allen)
by Rafael Takaranyc2123.com
The online graphic novel NYC2123: Dayender is set in a near
futuristic cyberpunk New York. The story happens in a decadent post-apocalyptic
Manhattan in year 2123 where cybernetic body modifications, brain mods, and
open source drugs are commonplace. Megacorporation and street gangs fight for
their survival in a chaotic Manhattan where Martial Law has been declared and the
island have been isolated from the rest of the world by a physical “Wall” after
being hit by a Tsunami. This graphic novel has 6 volumes but this review will
focus on the first 3 volumes.
The plot revolves around Julius, Laney, and Jake, three mercenaries
with cybermodifications, hired by Wagner, a businessman from a secret
corporation, to steal an endangered squirrel to a rare animal collector and transport
biological vials. But they have to steal it from a warlord mafia and end up in
trouble with other mercenaries. The characters motivation and the plot itself
take a while to be revealed but the action sequences are intense and well
executed. The extensive use of high tech (eg. flying cars, wifi hacking, brain/body
augmentations, etc…) and the mercenaries super skills are what make
the graphic novel stand out.
The comic book was designed specifically for viewing on PSP
portable system. As a result, a single panel per page had to be used to narrate
the story so it resulted in a different rhythm than the conventional multiple
panels per page as it gives a faster pace to the story. Also, the authors make
several uses of interesting moment to moment panel transition that let the
action sequence (see example below) feels like an animation.
The backgrounds are generally not overly detailed. On the
other hand, the characters artwork were made using photos of real people and
then penciled above facial features. The result was that the characters had
realistic appearance to create a more interesting characterization. Their
emotional reactions could also be captured with this technique.
The comic is entirely in black and white so that the
contrast between the two colours and the artwork could be highlighted. In a few
sequences though there is the use of colours to give a dramatic effect to the
sequence. For example, in the scene below blood is painted red to emphasize
violence of the scene. Fire was painted yellow to give explosion sensation on
the viewer. Colour is used in minimal ways but in key moments to give emotional
impact on the viewer or to highlight a detail.
Overall, NYC2123 is an interesting online graphic novel read
if the reader enjoys a cyberpunk tale with themes of advanced science, high
tech, dystopic future, and megacorporation conflicts. It is worth noting the
photorealism used on the characters art.
This is an excellent review. The focus on the background and the themes of the webcomic is clear and concise. The background of the story is descriptive with no spoilers within it. The description of the panel transitions is great. What I would like to add is referencing, character design and personality. Keep up the great work!
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