Solar Flare: Science Fiction News

NYC2123: Dayender is build as a graphic novel for the PSP but actually is viewable online either via the creators’ website or using Flickr. Issue one is up now with Issue 2 due out during September some time. The presentation of the graphic novel is simple and generally doesn’t distract much from reading. You simply get one panel at a time and move forward to the next when you’re ready.

As this is the first issue, what we get here is mainly setup for whatever the story will turn out to be. We’re definitely dealing with familiar Cyberpunk tropes here though. You’ll meet our bitchy and at least somewhat selfish protagonist. There’s drugs, theft and and plenty of hardware both inside and outside the brain.

The basic outline of NYC2123: Dayender is that back in 2054 a Tsunami lay waste to Manhattan which resulted in rioting and all sorts of lawlessness. The solution was to build a huge wall around Manhattan and declare martial law inside. Outside things remain in a state of anarchy and lawlessness.

As far as the art goes, I rather like it. It’s almost entirely black and white. Almost monochrome actually, though there is some shading in places. Plus the occasional use of red. I guess Frank Miller’s Sin City would be my best visual comparison.

On the writing side of things, the dialogue works pretty well, but some of the tech references come across as a little self-conscious. It’s about 118 years in the future are we really still going to be talking about WiFi and keeping things cached in RAM? But that’s nit-picking.I can’t really say much about the story yet as it’s barely had a chance to get started. Hopefully the second issue will pick up the pace and we’ll get a feel for whats going on.

Link: NYC2123 : Dayender - A Graphic Novel For The PSP