By Zack Quaintance — I went into Made in Korea #1 relatively blind, as I sometimes like to do with books that strike me as fresh ideas. I must have read a preview of this one at some point, but by the time I actually sat down to read my advanced review copy for the week, I’d forgotten everything about it. What I found was a really strong, near-future sci-fi tail that raises questions around artificial intelligence, the future of our species, and, on a micro level, parenthood.

I’ve never sat down and done a specific ranking, but understated and relatable is among my favorite types of sci-fi, and Made in Korea is certainly that. The core of the story is the relationship between a married couple, who like everyone else in the world, are apparently no longer able to have children. Where in a story like the film Children of Men, this concept leads to an often-violent in dystopia, the effects wrought by this in Made in Korea are quieter, played out in loneliness and longing, rather than societal breakdown, terrorism, or gun battles. And it works, quite well.

The script, specifically the characterization, is a big part of the reason why this book is so good. The bulk of the story has to be told here in the dialogue between the central couple, and it’s all interesting, all true to life. In addition, side characters are given their own wants and desires, rounding them out and keeping them from feeling flat, as I find is often the case in stories rooted more heavily in action than in humanity. Jeremy Holt’s scripting is always believable and compelling

The cartooning here by George Schall is also really well-done. I especially liked the color work that Schall lent this world, which was far from obvious. Schall at key junctures in this first issues uses a set of shades I might describe as soft, ominous pastels, especially in the opening sequence, which boldly starts with a semi-futuristic often setting and a man working on code. I really love comics that open stories without giant explosions, which I think is dated, given that business models around selling single issues to kids at grocery stores or news stands is dead. Start a story where it starts, not where the sounds are the loudest and the fires the brightest, and Made in Korea gets it.

This sense of getting it, of being confident in the story working without any kind of easy to digest tropes or shiny gimmickry is present throughout this very smart comic, and it’s a testament to how good this story is. The creators know where the drama lies, in small moments like waiting to see if the new robot child you’ve brought home (at a sizable discount) will be all that you expected.

In short, I really enjoyed this first issue, and I’ll be following this book throughout its run,

Overall: Made In Korea #1 is the best type of science fiction. It is quiet, relatable, and deeply human. This is a confident and polished comic with an intriguing story to tell, and it gets my full recommendation. 9.5/10

REVIEW: Made in Korea #1

Made in Korea #1
Writer: Jeremy Holt
Artist: George Schall
Letterer: Adam Wollet
Publisher: Image Comics
A QUICKSTART GUIDE FOR YOUR PROXY
STEP 1: Remove box.
STEP 2: Power on.
STEP 3: Raise your child.
For Jesse, the world’s first true A.I. system, growing up means learning to think outside the box. This exciting new six-issue miniseries will redefine what it means to be a family in an age when biological parenthood is no longer a reality.
Price: $3.99
Buy It Here: Made In Korea #1

Read more great graphic novel and comics reviews!

Zack Quaintance is a tech reporter by day and freelance writer by night/weekend. He Tweets compulsively about storytelling and comics as Comics Bookcase.