Nov 17, 2021
Ann Nocenti and David Aja may have produced the best graphic novel I've read in my lifetime. This is a story that feels topical to our Post-Covid 19 reality although part of it was produced before the initial outbreak of the pandemic. Either Ann is a prophet or is a lot more in tune with the human condition than I'll ever be. The story stuck with me long after I put the graphic novel down and even as I write this review I found myself wanting to revisit this world just to see where the story goes.
At the center of "The Seed's" is a wall. The setting is post-apocalyptic with one side closely resembling or broken-down version of our present day. The other side of the wall has shunned technology and regressed to a rural landscape. Having t
echnology even as simple as a cell phone can have extreme consequences for anyone traveling between locales.
There is also a large masked segment of the population that has unwittingly allowed infiltration by an alien race. This group of aliens have come to earth to harvest seeds from this world before it inevitably dies.
The story has a lot of interesting background material but the core of the story of that story focuses on three characters making their way through this landscape. There's Astra a journalist looking to report on the Wall and its impact on society but ends up accidentally discovering a romance between a Human and an Extraterrestrial.
Rush is the main Alien in the story. He's the alien in question and the most relatable extraterrestrial we see in the story. Several others seem to range between just doing their jobs, or anxious to experiment and intermingle with an evolved race of beings for the first time in their travels across the galaxy.
Bridging the two leads is Lola. She's a disabled human who seems to represent the majority of the population who has given in to technological distractions while major events are happening around them. Her technological dependence is so ingrained within her that her fingers twitch when not holding a cell phone.
Both Rush and Astra come to care about Lola for different reasons. Rush for obvious reasons and Astra because reporting on this story would likely cause more harm than good in the grand scheme of things.
The writing here is superb and honestly the most thought-provoking material I've gotten out of a comic book in a very long time.
David Aja's linework balances out the script. There isn't much traditional action in this book but it's deeply atmospheric, gritty, and at times horrifying. It's not clear if the world is going to end but the pencils and tone give the impression that all parties involved are resigned to their lot regardless of the eventual outcome.
The Seed's also has the best use of the nine-panel grid I've seen in a long time. Most modern artists that use the design choice tend to duplicate the same static image. David gives us something interesting to look at in every panel with the most powerful image usually in the center of the page. This also works with the hexagon motif that is presented through the novel.
The only knock I have against the project is the cover art. Although the cover of the graphic novel fits the story and themes, it doesn't stand out against any book on the shelf or online.
If I hadn't name-checked the creative team I may have passed on the project, which would have been a shame because the material deserves to be read and appreciated, especially in light of the current political climate. The Seeds presents heavy material that allows you to think and digest it without being heavy-handed, partisan, or telling you how to interpret it.
In Short: Ann and David present a simply amazing passion project and have my highest recommendation. more
