Comics
Review ‘Alex + Ada’ #8
The pace continues to quicken in this issue of “Alex + Ada” and a number of genre-defining philosophical issues are addressed: Are the sentient androids better off than the “locked” ones? Is it better to hide and survive then to put yourself at risk to stand up for what you believe? What makes a sentient robot different from an actual human, and how do we differentiate the human brain from an ultra-sophisticated computer? This book is finally starting to become what I never knew I wanted it to be. Prepare yourself for a sci/fi ethics rabbit hole.
WRITTEN BY: Sarah Vaughn and Jonathan Luna
ART BY: Jonathan Luna
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE: August 6, 2014
Reviewed by Epic Switzer
Through the first volume of “Alex + Ada” I wasn’t convinced that this book had a ton of staying power. Coming out of the awe-inspiring “Her,” this book simply felt derivative, predictable, and slow to progress. I now bow my head in shame for these judgments, I could not have been more wrong. “Alex + Ada” has been a slow burn, no doubt; but this book eases you in like an impossibly euphoric hot tub.
Vaughn and Luna continue to complicate this world. There are so many questions and problems tied into the production and ownership of artificial intelligence, and it seems the creators are keen on addressing just about every one of them. Good sci/fi doesn’t just predict and pontificate, it relates. What can we learn about our own understanding of culture from examining this conceived society?
“Alex + Ada” invites us to consider what it really means to be human, a question not uncommon for this sub genre of sci/fi, but then it goes on to ask so many more questions about morality, responsibility, quality of life, identity, the list goes on and on.
I love a book that provides a lot to talk about. Some books are flashy and pretty but when they are done you aren’t left with much more than a tingle and a satisfied sigh. Like a rollercoaster they can be fun and they can control your emotions for a short time but in the end they don’t really mean much. This is not that kind of book. This is a book you can reflect on, draw from, this is a book that inspires. More and more I’m really impressed with this series and this issue is definitely a high point.
If you aren’t reading it yet, this is actually a really great place to jump in.
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Epic Switzer AKA Eric is an aspiring filmmaker and screenplay writer living in Los Angeles. His work tends to focus on the lighter side of entropy, dystopic futures, and man’s innate struggle with his own mortality. He can be found on twitter @epicswitzer or reached via email at ericswitzerfilm@gmail.com.
The supernatural world of Korean folk horror movie Exhuma grows larger with the arrival of prequel spinoff webtoon Maengjong this weekend, Variety reports today.
Naver Webtoon debuts Maengjong on May 30.
The series hails from Haemuri (Olgami) and will trace the high school origins of how shaman duo Hwarim and Bonggil, played by Kim Go-eun and Lee Do-hyun in the 2024 film, came together to face occultish threats.
The story is set to begin when “Hwarim, who has been concealing her identity following a childhood encounter with a snake spirit called Jin, crosses paths with Bonggil at their school.”
Variety notes that Exhuma director Jang Jae-hyun participated in the project’s early concept stage.
“We are presenting ‘Maengjong,’ a new series capturing the appeal of the horror-occult genre, ahead of the full summer season,” said Lee Jeong-geun, Naver Webtoon’s Korea webtoon content leader. “With the high school story of Hwarim and Bonggil, who left a strong impression in the film ‘Exhuma,’ enhanced by Haemuri’s characteristic tense direction, we expect it will be a welcome work for genre fans.”
“It is meaningful that the spin-off story of ‘Exhuma,’ loved by many audiences, expands by meeting the new grammar of webtoon,” said Lee Hyeon-jeong, managing director of the film business division at Showbox, which distributed the film. “We hope it will be a fresh experience for both film fans and webtoon readers.”
Exhuma was a breakout hit in 2024, becoming the first Korean occult film to surpass 10 million ticket buyers and the country’s highest-grossing film of the year. I wrote in my review that “the intricately woven Exhuma delivers one of the year’s biggest surprises in horror so far.”
The bond between Hwarim and Bonggil was one of the film’s highlights, making this prequel webtoon a must for fans.
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