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eJunky
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Expected 31 Dec 30eJunky is a genre-bending sci-fi noir graphic novel set in a dystopian future where society has been reshaped by technology. Written by Nicholas Tana and illustrated by Kyle Faehnrich, eJunky is published by Scout Comics.
In the year 2055, technology has transformed the human experience, using Nerve Reading Devices (N.R.D.s) to share dreams and Emo-Regs to filter and regulate emotions, leading pain and suffering to become commodities in a world that has made them virtually illegal. Despite the danger, a growing group of addicts, called eJunkies, continue to seek every kind of human experience by using drugs containing other people’s memories, including painful ones, in the form of an alternative drug (ALT) known as Torch.
When Hector Holmes, a disgraced investigator and eJunky, nearly overdoses on Torch, his previous partner from the Alternative Reality Investigation Squad (A.R.I.S.) requests his help to stop The Guardians of Pain—a terrorist group distributing Torch to "wake" people to a painful and buried past in an effort to start a revolution. Hector enlists Astra, a dream celebrity whose television channel is hacked by the Guardians to promote their revolutionary message. Astra’s celebrity status gives Hector access to every level of society, helping him get close to the cult group’s leader, a mysterious figure known as X. With Astra’s help, Hector scours the city and his own mind in pursuit of the Guardians, hoping to find some clues in the memory experiences they sell on the black market. But dosing these experiences comes with a price, and after several doses of Torch Hector’s reality blurs, pulling people from his life into his Torch-induced visions. As Hector’s mind unravels, he must confront a forgotten and painful past to stop a horrific future.
In the year 2055, technology has transformed the human experience, using Nerve Reading Devices (N.R.D.s) to share dreams and Emo-Regs to filter and regulate emotions, leading pain and suffering to become commodities in a world that has made them virtually illegal. Despite the danger, a growing group of addicts, called eJunkies, continue to seek every kind of human experience by using drugs containing other people’s memories, including painful ones, in the form of an alternative drug (ALT) known as Torch.
When Hector Holmes, a disgraced investigator and eJunky, nearly overdoses on Torch, his previous partner from the Alternative Reality Investigation Squad (A.R.I.S.) requests his help to stop The Guardians of Pain—a terrorist group distributing Torch to "wake" people to a painful and buried past in an effort to start a revolution. Hector enlists Astra, a dream celebrity whose television channel is hacked by the Guardians to promote their revolutionary message. Astra’s celebrity status gives Hector access to every level of society, helping him get close to the cult group’s leader, a mysterious figure known as X. With Astra’s help, Hector scours the city and his own mind in pursuit of the Guardians, hoping to find some clues in the memory experiences they sell on the black market. But dosing these experiences comes with a price, and after several doses of Torch Hector’s reality blurs, pulling people from his life into his Torch-induced visions. As Hector’s mind unravels, he must confront a forgotten and painful past to stop a horrific future.
256 pages, Paperback
Expected publication December 31, 2030
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 18, 2023
*****This review is in thanks to NetGalley for providing an advanced copy for review purposes *****
eJunky is written by Nicholas Tana
Art by Kyle Faehnrich
Nicholas Tana is a writer, director, producer, and musician. He is the creator of the graphic novel Hell’s Kitty
Kyle Faehnrich is a comic artist/illustrator and founder of Goons & Goblins Art.
The art is fantastic for this series. It reminds me of the early Eastman and Laird Ninja Turtles run with a mix of Blade Runner. All the colors pop from the dark atmosphere of the future to the bright neon colors of the emotions.
Set in the not so far future in which emotions are worn on your sleeve -Literally- through a device known as EMO-REG. Celebrities are now replaced by Dream Celebrities, people who stream their dreams in real time to the masses in theaters. Ad Apparel turns everyone into a paid by view walking bill board. The world of eJUNKY has a high reliability on technology to eliminate pain and suffering, until a cult group known as the Guardians of Pain plans to return it all back.
eJunky follows Hector Holmes, Experience Junky (also known as a eJunky). Holmes takes a dose of Torch a new alternative reality drug which lets him experience the memory of a train wreck that took place in Orange County, VA in July of 1888 from the point of view of a passenger on the train before waking up in the hospital where he is approached by the World Corporation Organization (W.C.O.) to investigate The Guardians of Pain.
eJunky will have you questioning:
Why does the Guardians of Pain want to return emotions like pain and suffering?
What are the goals of the W.C.O?
Do we even need emotions?
How is the train crash connected?
Is Hector a long list relative of Sherlock?
eJunky is written by Nicholas Tana
Art by Kyle Faehnrich
Nicholas Tana is a writer, director, producer, and musician. He is the creator of the graphic novel Hell’s Kitty
Kyle Faehnrich is a comic artist/illustrator and founder of Goons & Goblins Art.
The art is fantastic for this series. It reminds me of the early Eastman and Laird Ninja Turtles run with a mix of Blade Runner. All the colors pop from the dark atmosphere of the future to the bright neon colors of the emotions.
Set in the not so far future in which emotions are worn on your sleeve -Literally- through a device known as EMO-REG. Celebrities are now replaced by Dream Celebrities, people who stream their dreams in real time to the masses in theaters. Ad Apparel turns everyone into a paid by view walking bill board. The world of eJUNKY has a high reliability on technology to eliminate pain and suffering, until a cult group known as the Guardians of Pain plans to return it all back.
eJunky follows Hector Holmes, Experience Junky (also known as a eJunky). Holmes takes a dose of Torch a new alternative reality drug which lets him experience the memory of a train wreck that took place in Orange County, VA in July of 1888 from the point of view of a passenger on the train before waking up in the hospital where he is approached by the World Corporation Organization (W.C.O.) to investigate The Guardians of Pain.
eJunky will have you questioning:
Why does the Guardians of Pain want to return emotions like pain and suffering?
What are the goals of the W.C.O?
Do we even need emotions?
How is the train crash connected?
Is Hector a long list relative of Sherlock?
July 21, 2023
Cool ideas, meh execution. The colors were very vibrant and created a cool look, but I was not a fan of the way the characters were drawn. The concept art looks infinitely cooler than the finished illustrations, which is a shame. Also, where is that cool-looking fashion from the concepts?? Everyone just looked normal, I don't understand why they didn't incorporate it more.
The plot was a little hard to follow imo - I could tell that there were interesting ideas, but the writing didn't transport them too well and I didn't understand how everything worked and fit together. Could be that I'm dumb lol, but I don't think the way the narrative was presented was ideal.
eJunky is an ambitious comic book that ends up pretty mediocre. Confusing writing and an art style that makes it hard to distinguish between characters in turn make it hard to follow the plot. It's still fairly entertaining and has some genuinely cool scenes, so I'd say genre fans might enjoy this one.
- ARC provided by NetGalley -
The plot was a little hard to follow imo - I could tell that there were interesting ideas, but the writing didn't transport them too well and I didn't understand how everything worked and fit together. Could be that I'm dumb lol, but I don't think the way the narrative was presented was ideal.
eJunky is an ambitious comic book that ends up pretty mediocre. Confusing writing and an art style that makes it hard to distinguish between characters in turn make it hard to follow the plot. It's still fairly entertaining and has some genuinely cool scenes, so I'd say genre fans might enjoy this one.
- ARC provided by NetGalley -
July 23, 2023
First of all, thank you to Simon and Schuster, Scout Comics, and NetGalley for the eARC of this book! Second of all, I have to say that I had no idea how invested I would become with this book. It takes a bit to get used to the art style, but once I did, I was all in. Being set in a distopyian future that is not too far off of where we could be headed makes the story feel more grounded than many other entries in the genre. It feels kind of like reading a dream of a possible future, due to the dreamy style of the art. I absolutely 100% recommend this book to anyone who loves graphic novels.
July 23, 2023
I received an early reader copy for this book from NetGalley for free.
The art in this was absolutely gorgeous and I loved the futuristic cyber punk aesthetic of it. The story felt at times little convoluted but overall I found it enjoyable.
The art in this was absolutely gorgeous and I loved the futuristic cyber punk aesthetic of it. The story felt at times little convoluted but overall I found it enjoyable.
August 23, 2023
Nicholas Tana’s and Kyle Faehnrich’s eJunky feels like something that could have come from the world of Transmetropolitan if that series came about during the time of smartphones and social media instead of the late 90s. In eJunky, the rights and wills of humanity have been eaten away by a world-spanning corporation providing a very simple service – the removal of pain and strife. However, instead of ensuring equitable and open access to resources, they solve suffering with cheap technology to regulate emotions – society isn’t free of stress – everyone just has gold-tinted visors to block out all any and all pain.
Enter Hector Holmes, ex-cop and eJunky – addicted to injecting other people’s experiences, the more extreme the better. A series of events embroils him in a conspiracy of drugs, crime, anti-technology revolution, and betrayal more personal than even he thinks possible. Soon he won’t just question what he really feels, but if any of his memories are true at all
This comic flies by with a tight but weighty six issues, dripping with style and ink. Faehnrich’s art is heavy with cyberpunk grime and bright neon that practically glows on the page. I’m reminded of Richard Corben, with stylized figures and moody backgrounds. The story is classic cyber-noir, and wears its influences without shame. It is a little weird that the only clearly Black character is a hulking, loyal clone straight out of Sin City, but then again the dark expressionistic glow lighting every scene makes it hard to tell a lot about any character’s background. Little peeves aside, I ate eJunky up, though there’s not much to be optimistic about by the end except, perhaps, a sequel
Enter Hector Holmes, ex-cop and eJunky – addicted to injecting other people’s experiences, the more extreme the better. A series of events embroils him in a conspiracy of drugs, crime, anti-technology revolution, and betrayal more personal than even he thinks possible. Soon he won’t just question what he really feels, but if any of his memories are true at all
This comic flies by with a tight but weighty six issues, dripping with style and ink. Faehnrich’s art is heavy with cyberpunk grime and bright neon that practically glows on the page. I’m reminded of Richard Corben, with stylized figures and moody backgrounds. The story is classic cyber-noir, and wears its influences without shame. It is a little weird that the only clearly Black character is a hulking, loyal clone straight out of Sin City, but then again the dark expressionistic glow lighting every scene makes it hard to tell a lot about any character’s background. Little peeves aside, I ate eJunky up, though there’s not much to be optimistic about by the end except, perhaps, a sequel
August 4, 2023
"eJunky" by Nicholas Tana is a futuristic sci-fi noir that brings some intriguing ideas to the table, but I struggled to connect with it.
The narrative, although filled with potential, leaves something to be desired. It's clear that there's an interesting premise at play, but the story often becomes hard to follow, with certain elements and connections remaining unclear. I was really confused at times, and the ending... I'm not sure I even got it all.
While the use of vibrant colors creates a visually stimulating atmosphere, they were hard to follow at times. A lot of the faces were so visually similar I couldn't tell when they were intentionally meant to be the same person or someone completely different. I was actually surprised when I finished the book and saw the initial concept art... I hate to say it, but I like it better!
Between the chapters were spreads featuring newspaper articles or interviews with the characters to help with the immersion in the world, but there was so much text that my (most likely compressed) ebook version couldn't zoom in far enough to make out the words.
The final product fell flat for me. The comic's confusing writing and somewhat indistinct art style make it challenging to fully immerse oneself in the plot. Yet, it maintains a level of entertainment with some genuinely cool scenes that may resonate with genre enthusiasts, so it may still find its audience among those who appreciate its bold ideas, even if they might wish for a more polished realization of those concepts.
The narrative, although filled with potential, leaves something to be desired. It's clear that there's an interesting premise at play, but the story often becomes hard to follow, with certain elements and connections remaining unclear. I was really confused at times, and the ending... I'm not sure I even got it all.
While the use of vibrant colors creates a visually stimulating atmosphere, they were hard to follow at times. A lot of the faces were so visually similar I couldn't tell when they were intentionally meant to be the same person or someone completely different. I was actually surprised when I finished the book and saw the initial concept art... I hate to say it, but I like it better!
Between the chapters were spreads featuring newspaper articles or interviews with the characters to help with the immersion in the world, but there was so much text that my (most likely compressed) ebook version couldn't zoom in far enough to make out the words.
The final product fell flat for me. The comic's confusing writing and somewhat indistinct art style make it challenging to fully immerse oneself in the plot. Yet, it maintains a level of entertainment with some genuinely cool scenes that may resonate with genre enthusiasts, so it may still find its audience among those who appreciate its bold ideas, even if they might wish for a more polished realization of those concepts.
December 7, 2023
There is a thread of a good concept in here but it's mired in a poorly executed story. Also, this is really targeted at white, male, incels. Majority of characters are white, males with pretty low style for a sci-fi book. The "heroes" are down-on-their-luck, drew-the-short-straw and in prison because the system is always working against them types while the villains are groomed and coiffed white guys with money, power, control and friends in high places. The are a few panels with women but they are mostly goddess types that don't do anything, know anything and are there for decoration.
There's plenty of violence in both descriptive text and graphics. The science is very lacking. The author basically uses "DNA scraping" to describe how memories are stored, transferred, re-lived and recycled. Emotional regulation technology is the main battle of the plot but is never described at all. The ideas around emotional regulation and it's effects (good and bad) on a general population were interesting. This could be an engaging world if redone as 3 or more separate novels to show the rise of each technology, discuss the science a tiny bit and then explore societal impacts across diverse people.
I did finish the novel to see if it redeemed itself, but I was constantly checking how near I was to the end.
There's plenty of violence in both descriptive text and graphics. The science is very lacking. The author basically uses "DNA scraping" to describe how memories are stored, transferred, re-lived and recycled. Emotional regulation technology is the main battle of the plot but is never described at all. The ideas around emotional regulation and it's effects (good and bad) on a general population were interesting. This could be an engaging world if redone as 3 or more separate novels to show the rise of each technology, discuss the science a tiny bit and then explore societal impacts across diverse people.
I did finish the novel to see if it redeemed itself, but I was constantly checking how near I was to the end.
January 11, 2024
A story that's been done before but poor execution on the art front made this difficult to follow. It's set 30 years in the future where most people live in VR instead of doing anything productive. The main character is an eJunky always looking for new thrills in VR. He used to work for the police until he became addicted. The story keeps circling back on itself as our main character is sucked back into this world he used to frequent. The art is sometimes very good, reminding me of artists like Pat Broderick. But then in the next panel the main character will be missing a nose. Other times it looks like he has a beak instead. I guess drawing noses is difficult. The characters all look the same except for hair style so as this went along it got harder and harder to keep characters straight. This could have been very good with a stronger editor on it.
August 10, 2023
I really enjoyed reading this book! It immediately reminded me of Fahrenheit 451 and also several Black Mirror episodes with its dystopian biotech and governments controlling people's thoughts and feelings. Every time I thought I knew what would happen next, the story completely went in the opposite direction and it was a total roller coaster ride of corruption on every side and level. I also want to mention the artwork. Each page is so vibrant and colorful and the linework is *chefs kiss*. I really loved the use of hatching as opposed to simply colored shading. Overall 10/10 for both the author's story and the illustrator's art. Really loved this and was very happy I could give this a read before it came out. Highly recommend it!
July 19, 2023
4/5 stars
Really beautiful, bold and interesting artwork that really immersed me in this cyber punk world.
My only complaint about the artwork is it’s a bit blurry at times, but as I read an ARC copy I’m going to assume this will be fixed before release.
A quick and easy read. However, the storylines are a bit confusing at times.
Overall, this was a really interesting sci-fi commentary on what could become our future world and one that will leave you thinking about it long after finishing reading.
If you like Cyberpunk 2055 or just cyberpunk in general, I definitely recommend picking this one up.
Really beautiful, bold and interesting artwork that really immersed me in this cyber punk world.
My only complaint about the artwork is it’s a bit blurry at times, but as I read an ARC copy I’m going to assume this will be fixed before release.
A quick and easy read. However, the storylines are a bit confusing at times.
Overall, this was a really interesting sci-fi commentary on what could become our future world and one that will leave you thinking about it long after finishing reading.
If you like Cyberpunk 2055 or just cyberpunk in general, I definitely recommend picking this one up.
Read
July 24, 2023I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read an e-arc of this comic.
Usually, I'm really into sci-fi but somehow this book just didn't grab my attention. Maybe it's the combination of it being a comic and I'm just not used to reading sci-fi in that manner. I decided to DNF the book as it was taking me a long time to get through it.
The art in the comic fits the vibe the author is trying to set really well, but it didn't grab my attention as I had hoped.
If you are into sci-fi comics with a bit of a dark edge, this is really for you though!
Usually, I'm really into sci-fi but somehow this book just didn't grab my attention. Maybe it's the combination of it being a comic and I'm just not used to reading sci-fi in that manner. I decided to DNF the book as it was taking me a long time to get through it.
The art in the comic fits the vibe the author is trying to set really well, but it didn't grab my attention as I had hoped.
If you are into sci-fi comics with a bit of a dark edge, this is really for you though!
August 21, 2023
This is one of the most unique graphic novels I've read in a long time. The plots twists kept things moving and interesting. From emotional regulation through technology, to cloning of prisoners, to dream projections, and time travel through DNA experiences, this is a riveting, original ride into our future!
August 27, 2023
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
Vivid coloring, fast-paced action, a plotline, and twists that hook you in. If this is the future of technology, we're in for a nightmare scenario. The style of this comic is gorgeous; everything from the colors to the character design and worldbuilding screams dystopian urban nightmare-scape. A fast and enjoyable read.
Vivid coloring, fast-paced action, a plotline, and twists that hook you in. If this is the future of technology, we're in for a nightmare scenario. The style of this comic is gorgeous; everything from the colors to the character design and worldbuilding screams dystopian urban nightmare-scape. A fast and enjoyable read.
July 27, 2023
Honestly this just wasn’t my cup of joe! If you like time travel (sort of), graphic novels with a lot of gore and torture, and brief flashes of historical events, this might be the book for you!!
rep: none
spice: none
rep: none
spice: none
September 18, 2023
This book had really fun concepts. I liked the ideas being discussed. I wasn't crazy about the lengthy excerpts at the end of each "issue." I thought all the characters were interesting, I liked the twists, and I like the art. I do think the pacing could've been stronger overall.
December 17, 2023
comic: “We dream of experiencing EVERYTHING”
me: Ewwww, no. Can’t relate 🤭. Can NOT relate.
𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Imposing Pain
𝗙𝗮𝘃 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿: The PAT spokesperson
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Normal
𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲: comic
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Sci-fi
3/𝟱
(because of Tumult & his ppl & the format of the ending 🫠)
𝗼𝘂𝘁: Sep 19/23
🌱THE EXCELLENT
~ Ad apparel 🤭
~ How news reports are done early on in the comic
~ Excellent panels, art and use of motion
~ Seamlessness in which the story is told
~ Bold use of colour, characters & settings
~ Great scientific justifications for the created tech
In a close future where humans can either choose synthetic emotional responses OR synthetic experiences 👀 (𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗷𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲), Holmes, an ex-cop(ish) turn vagabond(ish), ejunky MUST have ALL the experiences. This desire leads him to confront Torch a new alternate experience drug that will bring him full circle to the death of his brother, the betrayal of his brother’s wife, the loss of his job & the psycho Guardians of Pain who set people too drugged with pleasure on fire 👀.
✨𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱.
🌱THE MEH
~ The whole Tumult backstory, look & parting remarks (RANT on YT video review)
~ 🤔 The end with back to back long-form “reports” was TIRING 😬. After the 2nd, going ON and ON, felt lazy
♡🌱 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲 ;)
me: Ewwww, no. Can’t relate 🤭. Can NOT relate.
𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Imposing Pain
𝗙𝗮𝘃 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿: The PAT spokesperson
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Normal
𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲: comic
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Sci-fi
3/𝟱
(because of Tumult & his ppl & the format of the ending 🫠)
𝗼𝘂𝘁: Sep 19/23
🌱THE EXCELLENT
~ Ad apparel 🤭
~ How news reports are done early on in the comic
~ Excellent panels, art and use of motion
~ Seamlessness in which the story is told
~ Bold use of colour, characters & settings
~ Great scientific justifications for the created tech
In a close future where humans can either choose synthetic emotional responses OR synthetic experiences 👀 (𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗷𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲), Holmes, an ex-cop(ish) turn vagabond(ish), ejunky MUST have ALL the experiences. This desire leads him to confront Torch a new alternate experience drug that will bring him full circle to the death of his brother, the betrayal of his brother’s wife, the loss of his job & the psycho Guardians of Pain who set people too drugged with pleasure on fire 👀.
✨𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱.
🌱THE MEH
~ The whole Tumult backstory, look & parting remarks (RANT on YT video review)
~ 🤔 The end with back to back long-form “reports” was TIRING 😬. After the 2nd, going ON and ON, felt lazy
♡🌱 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲 ;)
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