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Artifice
Artifice is a sci-fi webcomic created by writer Alex Woolfson and artist Winona Nelson that completed in April 2012 and can still be read in its entirely online.
Deacon is a prototype android soldier so advanced he is referred to as an “artificial person.” On his first extended mission, Deacon was ordered by his corporate masters to eliminate a team of scientists who knew too much—and he has failed spectacularly. Not only did he let one of his targets live, he attacked the team sent to retrieve him. Now the Corporation wants answers and they bring in the brilliant robopsychologist Dr. Clarice Maven to get them, giving her the power to make sure Deacon never fails the Corporation ever again.
As the doctor cuts through his defenses, Deacon is forced to reveal the shocking events that took place on Da Vinci Four. He disobeyed orders. He murdered corporate workers. And yet he insists that his actions are those of a good soldier! Somehow Deacon’s relationship with the sole survivor, 19-year-old human outcast Jeff Linnell, is behind it all and Dr. Maven will stop at nothing to learn the whole truth. Deacon is clearly protecting something, but what chance does he have in fighting an adversary who can control his every move?
With scenes of tense action and surprisingly tender romance, Artifice is a thoughtful and provocative science-fiction story that both women and men will enjoy.
Deacon is a prototype android soldier so advanced he is referred to as an “artificial person.” On his first extended mission, Deacon was ordered by his corporate masters to eliminate a team of scientists who knew too much—and he has failed spectacularly. Not only did he let one of his targets live, he attacked the team sent to retrieve him. Now the Corporation wants answers and they bring in the brilliant robopsychologist Dr. Clarice Maven to get them, giving her the power to make sure Deacon never fails the Corporation ever again.
As the doctor cuts through his defenses, Deacon is forced to reveal the shocking events that took place on Da Vinci Four. He disobeyed orders. He murdered corporate workers. And yet he insists that his actions are those of a good soldier! Somehow Deacon’s relationship with the sole survivor, 19-year-old human outcast Jeff Linnell, is behind it all and Dr. Maven will stop at nothing to learn the whole truth. Deacon is clearly protecting something, but what chance does he have in fighting an adversary who can control his every move?
With scenes of tense action and surprisingly tender romance, Artifice is a thoughtful and provocative science-fiction story that both women and men will enjoy.
88 pages, online graphic novel - complete
First published April 1, 2013
52 people are currently reading
708 people want to read
About the author
Alex Woolfson
9 books116 followersAlex Woolfson writes action-packed adventures with lovable gay heroes.
An East-Coaster who now calls the Bay Area home, Alex spent twenty years editing films and video before turning to comics, where he created the Lambda Literary Award finalist graphic novel Artifice and the long‑running LGBTQ‑superhero webcomic The Young Protectors.
His debut MM urban‑fantasy novel, The Reluctant Incubus, kicks off the Alvin Alonso's Secret Files duet, delivering high‑stakes action, slow‑burn romance, and queer heroes who save the world and each other.
When Alex isn't at his treadmill desk writing, you'll find him traveling the globe with his husband, on the hunt for the perfect taco.
An East-Coaster who now calls the Bay Area home, Alex spent twenty years editing films and video before turning to comics, where he created the Lambda Literary Award finalist graphic novel Artifice and the long‑running LGBTQ‑superhero webcomic The Young Protectors.
His debut MM urban‑fantasy novel, The Reluctant Incubus, kicks off the Alvin Alonso's Secret Files duet, delivering high‑stakes action, slow‑burn romance, and queer heroes who save the world and each other.
When Alex isn't at his treadmill desk writing, you'll find him traveling the globe with his husband, on the hunt for the perfect taco.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
January 12, 2020
Deacon is an android. He's sent to planet Da Vinci 4 with his squad of identical android soldiers to kill every living human on the settlement there (for whatever reason, it's simply his order).
After completing the mission, his scanner shows one more human life form nearby, but while the rest of his squad are destroyed by a bomb blowing up, Deacon remains alone on Da Vinci 4, intending to complete his mission.
Deacon finds the human. A young man who was outcast by the other settlers for being gay. Intending to win the boy's trust in order to stay charged for several weeks until a retrieval team would come for Deacon, the android befriends the young man - and learns a few things about humans that were not part of his military training.
It's an amazingly powerful graphic novel. I absolutely loved Deacon the android. And yes, it was quite funny too despite all the bloodshed.
Definitely a recommendation!
5 stars!
After completing the mission, his scanner shows one more human life form nearby, but while the rest of his squad are destroyed by a bomb blowing up, Deacon remains alone on Da Vinci 4, intending to complete his mission.
Deacon finds the human. A young man who was outcast by the other settlers for being gay. Intending to win the boy's trust in order to stay charged for several weeks until a retrieval team would come for Deacon, the android befriends the young man - and learns a few things about humans that were not part of his military training.
It's an amazingly powerful graphic novel. I absolutely loved Deacon the android. And yes, it was quite funny too despite all the bloodshed.
Definitely a recommendation!
5 stars!
November 26, 2024
Artifice is a graphic novel that explores identity, humanity, and the complex issues around AI. It’s also a gay love story.
Deacon, an advanced android soldier, becomes the center of a battle after defying his corporate masters during a critical mission.
“I have spent limited time with humans. Most of it unpleasant.”
Dr. Clarice Maven, a robopsychologist, is tasked with uncovering his secrets, the story soon evolves into a clever game of cat-and-mouse.
Classic sci-fi themes
Gay romance
Both virgins
Thought-provoking
HFN-ish
Jeff is a young human soldier, the only survivor after a mission gone wrong.
Issues: The ‘I love you’s’ come way too soon, but I guess when your days are measured, it doesn’t really matter.
It would’ve been nice to have more on-page time with these two main characters rather than pages of communication between Deacon and the doctor.
Overall, I liked the clean art style and coloring choices. Would have liked more of an ending, but this was still a win!
*Really enjoyed the author’s afterward.
Deacon, an advanced android soldier, becomes the center of a battle after defying his corporate masters during a critical mission.
“I have spent limited time with humans. Most of it unpleasant.”
Dr. Clarice Maven, a robopsychologist, is tasked with uncovering his secrets, the story soon evolves into a clever game of cat-and-mouse.
Classic sci-fi themes
Gay romance
Both virgins
Thought-provoking
HFN-ish
Jeff is a young human soldier, the only survivor after a mission gone wrong.
Issues: The ‘I love you’s’ come way too soon, but I guess when your days are measured, it doesn’t really matter.
It would’ve been nice to have more on-page time with these two main characters rather than pages of communication between Deacon and the doctor.
Overall, I liked the clean art style and coloring choices. Would have liked more of an ending, but this was still a win!
*Really enjoyed the author’s afterward.
August 10, 2016
Written February 19, 2014
2.7 Stars - nicely done but a bit "stiff" sci-fi webcomic
Nice drawings and art in a sci-fi story about a nasty hard, future sci-fi world. ~ It was quite okay although I wasn't really intrigued by this plot. Perhaps I would have preferred more time with the two men, and less with the cold psychologist. Romantic but slightly too stingy with cute romantic scenes.
...and it wasn't that fun either. Instead, it was pretty tight, almost boring (..for me), and perhaps an attempt to be too heavy seriously. Maybe I just didn't get i? - Though there were really good parts too... (Was it just the completely wrong day for me?)
~**~**~**~**~**~**~
The cartoon Artifice is about Deacon, a prototype android soldier - an artificial person - who is back on Earth (?) after a mission. The robopsychologist Dr. Clarice Maven (not a woman I liked...) wants to know what happened on Deacon's eliminate-mission (...to kill all scientists) on Da Vinci Four. Deacon was the only survivor in his team and he then let one of his targets, a young man, live.
What kind of relationship did Deacon have with that only human survivor? Is it possible that an artificial person, like Deacon, actually could feel emotions for this 19-year-old human, Jeff Linnell?
Do you like to read a well-made cartoon story, should you definitely give this free-online story an hour. Sorry to say, but not quite in my, more romance-hungry, taste, but still, another okay cartoon reading.
I LIKE - quite okay but I missed more "fun&smiles" moments
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
88 free pages, with an end, to read here: http://webcomics.yaoi911.com/archive/...
2.7 Stars - nicely done but a bit "stiff" sci-fi webcomic
Nice drawings and art in a sci-fi story about a nasty hard, future sci-fi world. ~ It was quite okay although I wasn't really intrigued by this plot. Perhaps I would have preferred more time with the two men, and less with the cold psychologist. Romantic but slightly too stingy with cute romantic scenes.
...and it wasn't that fun either. Instead, it was pretty tight, almost boring (..for me), and perhaps an attempt to be too heavy seriously. Maybe I just didn't get i? - Though there were really good parts too... (Was it just the completely wrong day for me?)
~**~**~**~**~**~**~
The cartoon Artifice is about Deacon, a prototype android soldier - an artificial person - who is back on Earth (?) after a mission. The robopsychologist Dr. Clarice Maven (not a woman I liked...) wants to know what happened on Deacon's eliminate-mission (...to kill all scientists) on Da Vinci Four. Deacon was the only survivor in his team and he then let one of his targets, a young man, live.
What kind of relationship did Deacon have with that only human survivor? Is it possible that an artificial person, like Deacon, actually could feel emotions for this 19-year-old human, Jeff Linnell?
Do you like to read a well-made cartoon story, should you definitely give this free-online story an hour. Sorry to say, but not quite in my, more romance-hungry, taste, but still, another okay cartoon reading.
I LIKE - quite okay but I missed more "fun&smiles" moments
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
88 free pages, with an end, to read here: http://webcomics.yaoi911.com/archive/...
May 13, 2018
4.25 stars!
This was surprisingly good. Fast paced and entertaining.
This was surprisingly good. Fast paced and entertaining.
May 29, 2016
Loved it. It ended exactly were it needed to end. Plus the author's FAQ was a nice touch. Deacon and Jeff deserve a HEA, glad they made theirs.
January 24, 2020
3.5 stars!
A nice little, free story. The plot is rather simple but I quite liked the graphic side and the main MCs are very convincing.
The whole 'interrogation/interview/assessment' scene between Deacon and Maven is great. I only wish we got more of Jeff :( I didn't get to know him very well...
If there's a book 2 out there some day, I really might be tempted to get back to this story! ;)
A nice little, free story. The plot is rather simple but I quite liked the graphic side and the main MCs are very convincing.
The whole 'interrogation/interview/assessment' scene between Deacon and Maven is great. I only wish we got more of Jeff :( I didn't get to know him very well...
If there's a book 2 out there some day, I really might be tempted to get back to this story! ;)
April 15, 2013
Absolutely Brilliant!
Despite all the focus on sci-fi films and television shows and video games no one has ever come up with a tender romance on the order of the one projected visually and verbally as in ARTIFICE, a graphic novel first by author Alex Woolfson and illustrator Winona Nelson. Not only is this book an art piece to hold and read and experience, but it also happens to be a very fine story that speaks more clearly about same sex relationships than most novels today.
The story is well summarized in the press release: Deacon (also known as D3763), is a prototype android soldier who was ordered by his corporate masters to eliminate a team of scientists on Da Vinci 4 Mission who knew too much and he has failed spectacularly. Not only did he let one of his targets live - 19-year-old human outcast, the handsome gay Jeff Linnell - he attacked and killed the retrieval team sent to retrieve him. Now the Corporation demands answers and they have employed the brilliant and ruthless robopsychologist Dr. Clarice Maven to get them. Through a series of psychotherapy sessions between Dr. Maven and Deacon we learn that Deacon seems desperate to conceal the shocking events that took place on Da Vinci 4, but gradually in flashbacks we are able to observe the softening of Deacon and the increasing vulnerability of Jeff who engage in a love affair that eventually by book's end is able to overcome the best laid plans of the corporate sponsors AND Dr. Maven!
The story is tightly woven, full of subtle insights into the differences (and not so differences) of human and android, and out of a strange sci-fi environment and atmosphere rises a very tender and beautiful and sensual love story. The action remains a constant background noise that underlines the simplicity of a developing love theme and it is to the credit of the splendid cooperation between author and illustrator that this entire book comes off so well.
At book's end there is considerable space devoted to the process of creating this book - very instructive and very entertaining. We can only hope that this team continues this story and /or creates more graphic novels of the caliber of this one. Right down to the quality of paper and color saturation, this is a brilliant achievement.
Grady Harp
Despite all the focus on sci-fi films and television shows and video games no one has ever come up with a tender romance on the order of the one projected visually and verbally as in ARTIFICE, a graphic novel first by author Alex Woolfson and illustrator Winona Nelson. Not only is this book an art piece to hold and read and experience, but it also happens to be a very fine story that speaks more clearly about same sex relationships than most novels today.
The story is well summarized in the press release: Deacon (also known as D3763), is a prototype android soldier who was ordered by his corporate masters to eliminate a team of scientists on Da Vinci 4 Mission who knew too much and he has failed spectacularly. Not only did he let one of his targets live - 19-year-old human outcast, the handsome gay Jeff Linnell - he attacked and killed the retrieval team sent to retrieve him. Now the Corporation demands answers and they have employed the brilliant and ruthless robopsychologist Dr. Clarice Maven to get them. Through a series of psychotherapy sessions between Dr. Maven and Deacon we learn that Deacon seems desperate to conceal the shocking events that took place on Da Vinci 4, but gradually in flashbacks we are able to observe the softening of Deacon and the increasing vulnerability of Jeff who engage in a love affair that eventually by book's end is able to overcome the best laid plans of the corporate sponsors AND Dr. Maven!
The story is tightly woven, full of subtle insights into the differences (and not so differences) of human and android, and out of a strange sci-fi environment and atmosphere rises a very tender and beautiful and sensual love story. The action remains a constant background noise that underlines the simplicity of a developing love theme and it is to the credit of the splendid cooperation between author and illustrator that this entire book comes off so well.
At book's end there is considerable space devoted to the process of creating this book - very instructive and very entertaining. We can only hope that this team continues this story and /or creates more graphic novels of the caliber of this one. Right down to the quality of paper and color saturation, this is a brilliant achievement.
Grady Harp
January 13, 2020
Piemīlīgs bojeviks. Androīds Deacon ir labs kareivis, bet kaut kas ir nogājis pavisam greizi misijā uz planētas Da Vinci 4. Un robotu psiholoģe Dr. Maven noskaidros par katru cenu patiesību!Lieliski zīmējumi, interesants sižets. Laba izklaide.
March 25, 2013
So lovely!
June 29, 2016
A fun story about an android military guy and a young guy he protects (and falls in love with) and a nasty corporation. Explores the familiar "what makes a human" territory with a nice gay twist and tackles it head-on by having the hero engaging a therapist. Satisfying. Also, I really love the art here. I don't know that I ever had the hots for an android until now.
June 29, 2021
This starts out a bit slow. The pacing is a bit off. But the payoff is good. It addresses questions such as self and free will. I think it does a better idea of using a fighting force that is controlled via something like a chip or programming far better than Star Wars does.
March 15, 2016
This was so good. Amazing story and outstanding art work.
I adored Deacon and Jeff and was really rooting for them to get their HEA.
"I just don't know why they would design you to feel anything for anybody!"
"You aren't just anybody.
You're Jeff.
My Jeff."
Dr. Maven was a total wagon. Absolutely hated her. Exactly what you want in a villain.
I actually liked how it ended, I suppose some would call it a cliffhanger but I kind of agree with the creator in that it would have been just more of Deacon being crazy awesome. I have no doubt that Deacon and Jeff get their HEA.
I did come across this though and while I say I was happy with the ending, this made me very happy.
I bought the kindle version of this, some really interesting authors extras at the end like where the author got the idea originally and the process of creating a comic which was really interesting.
There was also input from the artist and her process.
And on that note I think the cover needs to be mentioned. It's stunning.
Certainly worth a read and I will be checking out more of Alex Woolfson and Winona Nelson's work.
I adored Deacon and Jeff and was really rooting for them to get their HEA.
"I just don't know why they would design you to feel anything for anybody!"
"You aren't just anybody.
You're Jeff.
My Jeff."
Dr. Maven was a total wagon. Absolutely hated her. Exactly what you want in a villain.
I actually liked how it ended, I suppose some would call it a cliffhanger but I kind of agree with the creator in that it would have been just more of Deacon being crazy awesome. I have no doubt that Deacon and Jeff get their HEA.
I did come across this though and while I say I was happy with the ending, this made me very happy.
I bought the kindle version of this, some really interesting authors extras at the end like where the author got the idea originally and the process of creating a comic which was really interesting.
There was also input from the artist and her process.
And on that note I think the cover needs to be mentioned. It's stunning.
Certainly worth a read and I will be checking out more of Alex Woolfson and Winona Nelson's work.
own-and-need-to-read
December 13, 2014i already read the webcomic, but i'm so looking forward to reading it on kindle. Sitting down and reading the whole story at once is a completely different thing to a serial.
January 13, 2020
[Special thanks to Martin for sharing the book with me]
I've never been much of a fan of English graphic novels because the art style in general doesn't really suit my taste. I usually prefer Asian Manga art style, so my review is a little biased.
The story itself is Sci-Fi themed and features a technosexual relationship between Deacon, an android soldier, and Jeff, the human captive. The story's concept is good and I felt it had so much more potential if the story was not so short and there was enough time to really develop Jeff and Deacon's relationship. Certain parts of the story like the therapist giving Deacon a second chance felt contrived.
I liked the art of the novel in general, and I thought the character bodies were really nicely drawn. However I guess the hairstyles of Deacon and Jeff didn't really pander to my tastes. The text was also really small for me and it was a little difficult to read.
Story - 3.5 Stars
Art - 4 Stars
I've never been much of a fan of English graphic novels because the art style in general doesn't really suit my taste. I usually prefer Asian Manga art style, so my review is a little biased.
The story itself is Sci-Fi themed and features a technosexual relationship between Deacon, an android soldier, and Jeff, the human captive. The story's concept is good and I felt it had so much more potential if the story was not so short and there was enough time to really develop Jeff and Deacon's relationship. Certain parts of the story like the therapist giving Deacon a second chance felt contrived.
I liked the art of the novel in general, and I thought the character bodies were really nicely drawn. However I guess the hairstyles of Deacon and Jeff didn't really pander to my tastes. The text was also really small for me and it was a little difficult to read.
Story - 3.5 Stars
Art - 4 Stars
February 11, 2015
Gay science fiction. I saw this at the library and had just been reading Alex + Ada and thought that was good, so this is a related book: How human can AI become? In Alex and Ada, Alex receives a robot girl and finds her boring, works to help her, in Pygmalion fashion, to become more "human," to help her become more fully capable of making her own decisions. Here, a robot soldier, Deacon, seems to be making complex and problematic decisions and is in therapy with Dr Maven to see if he can become more in keeping with military goals for him. In a military operation Deacon killed all the people he was supposed to kill except one, Jeff, who is like Deacon an outcast from society, Deacon as a robot, Jeff as gay. Deacon and Jeff get together, fall in love, though the focus here is on the sex, and the relationship gets assumed as having been established, and way too quickly.
Dr Maven threatens to end Deacon's life unless he will finish the job and kill Jeff… what will he do??!! Will he be true to his ever-increasing human-ness and spare Jeff and stop being in the military, or will he be The Good Soldier he claims he has always been?
The blurb above for this book includes these question as central to the book, which is apparently completed in this one volume: What does it really mean to be a "person"? And what would an Artificial Intelligence designed to be the perfect soldier ultimately choose: love... or honor?
Eh. Meh. I thought this was old territory Asimov and Bradbury and others have been walking for decades, and done pretty superficially, even with its supposedly edgy gay theme… The art was okay, the story a little melodramatic, decently written, I guess. But not really good, in my opinion.
Dr Maven threatens to end Deacon's life unless he will finish the job and kill Jeff… what will he do??!! Will he be true to his ever-increasing human-ness and spare Jeff and stop being in the military, or will he be The Good Soldier he claims he has always been?
The blurb above for this book includes these question as central to the book, which is apparently completed in this one volume: What does it really mean to be a "person"? And what would an Artificial Intelligence designed to be the perfect soldier ultimately choose: love... or honor?
Eh. Meh. I thought this was old territory Asimov and Bradbury and others have been walking for decades, and done pretty superficially, even with its supposedly edgy gay theme… The art was okay, the story a little melodramatic, decently written, I guess. But not really good, in my opinion.
February 23, 2015
This story definitely holds up on re-read. Loved the setup. Deacon, a sexually curious soldier android finds and spares Jeff, the only gay lad on a space colony that Deacon has been ordered to extinguish. They spend some time together, one thing leads to another, and Deacon gets to explore this 'sex' thing he's been so curious about. X)
Yes, they do have some tantalizing scenes together. My only complaint is that they weren't more explicit. (I say that about a lot of things)
The story was succinct but the nefarious plot hinted at in the background could provide fodder for a possible sequel. If there is one I'd be all over it!
Yes, they do have some tantalizing scenes together. My only complaint is that they weren't more explicit. (I say that about a lot of things)
The story was succinct but the nefarious plot hinted at in the background could provide fodder for a possible sequel. If there is one I'd be all over it!
April 27, 2012
I'm on a serious graphic novel/web comic bender at the moment, and after spending the entire weekend trawling through the most ridiculous nonsense, I've hit pay dirt. This web serial is awesome and then some. It's a sci-fi/dystopian tale about an 'artificial person' and an actual person who are thrown together by some pretty messed up circumstances and end up having to make some interesting choices. Anyhow, it's illustrated amazingly well and the story is great. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes comics.
May 24, 2013
I really liked the concept and found it to be nicely written overall. This love story takes place over about 14 weeks but initially the story felt a bit rushed. I'm someone who doesn't rush into love, so it took me a movement to just let myself go and enjoy the excitement of infatuation. I would of liked more dialogue maybe some back story to add to the characters emotional makeup. It seems some people didn't like the ending, I found it wonderful. I like open endings, it felt like it was full of hope. I'm so glad they cut his hair btw lol.
April 15, 2012
It is COMPLETE (hope someone updates the description here)!
This is a totally awesome sci-fi story. It is also a great slash romance between two "outcasts": a gay man (seen as an aberation in the genetically selected humanity) and a robot soldier who is a bit too smart and independent and entirely too human (and therefore a candidate for termination).
This is a totally awesome sci-fi story. It is also a great slash romance between two "outcasts": a gay man (seen as an aberation in the genetically selected humanity) and a robot soldier who is a bit too smart and independent and entirely too human (and therefore a candidate for termination).
September 18, 2012
Not am I a sucker for homossexual romance, I am also a sucker for happy endings when it comes to homossexual couples *wipes tears*
December 16, 2014
This web comic is a finished story that was quite interesting with nice art. I read it in one sitting.
Read
November 20, 2021A robot saves his target and the therapist employed by his bosses wants to know why.
This was such a great story! Definitely recommend!
This was such a great story! Definitely recommend!
November 27, 2017
A cool sci-fi graphic novel exploring sexuality and love.
September 4, 2019
This was my first book of this type ( graphic novel) It was ok. Not much to it. The illustrations were very well done. I enjoyed them.
March 15, 2020
I tried. I can’t seem to find what I’m looking for cause this ain’t it.
July 1, 2021
⭐️ 3.5 stars ⭐️
November 15, 2015
Can an artificial person truly feel emotions? What is the measure of true love? How much control do we have over our lives? These are the questions Woolfson explores in Artifice, a combination sci-fi-romance-psychological graphic novel about the meeting of Deacon and Jeff, their love for one another, and their subsequent fight against the corporation and a society that doesn't accept them. The story switches between the past and the present as Dr. Maven, a corporate robopsychologist, extracts information from Deacon regarding his actions and motives on Da Vinci Four. Even though Deacon has no choice but to follow her commands, he subtly dances around her questions for most of the interview. Tensions rise, the romance heats up, and emotions flair before arriving at a well-thought out and unexpected ending.
The success of Artifice's concept lies in its execution. Dr. Maven and Deacon are characters we instantly understand because, as they talk, we have a good sense of their underlying thoughts and motives. Together the writing and art reveals extremely complex emotions; the ability to portray deception in particular is to be lauded. While the emotions are convincingly real, they do tend to switch from one end of the spectrum to the other rather quick (ex. annoyance often transforms into a ten on the anger scale in the space of one panel).
Nelson's style and colours really complement the part contemplative, romantic, and tension-filled tone. She also does some decent action sequences.
The best sci-fi explores deep questions about humanity and our society. The best romance explores the deep emotions that govern our lives and the interactions we have with one another. Artifice is a wonderful and unique work that brings the best of these two genres together.
The success of Artifice's concept lies in its execution. Dr. Maven and Deacon are characters we instantly understand because, as they talk, we have a good sense of their underlying thoughts and motives. Together the writing and art reveals extremely complex emotions; the ability to portray deception in particular is to be lauded. While the emotions are convincingly real, they do tend to switch from one end of the spectrum to the other rather quick (ex. annoyance often transforms into a ten on the anger scale in the space of one panel).
Nelson's style and colours really complement the part contemplative, romantic, and tension-filled tone. She also does some decent action sequences.
The best sci-fi explores deep questions about humanity and our society. The best romance explores the deep emotions that govern our lives and the interactions we have with one another. Artifice is a wonderful and unique work that brings the best of these two genres together.
February 12, 2017
This was a very cut and dry comic. It focuses on Deacon, a robot built to kill, who goes against his orders and kills several people instead of completing the mission he was given. The story is told primarily as a flashback as Deacon tells his story to a therapist so she can figure out what happened that stopped him from completing the mission and killing innocents.
It's a very short read, I read it in about an hour.
For a sci-fi book, not too much sci-fi. There's a colony where Deacon goes for his mission, but other than that and the fact that Deacon is a robot, nothing interesting or new or anything sci-fi beyond that.
The plot was, as previously stated, cut and dry.
As "meh" as this graphic novel was, I would actually probably recommend it to people who just want a quick read that is engaging enough for its length.
It's a very short read, I read it in about an hour.
For a sci-fi book, not too much sci-fi. There's a colony where Deacon goes for his mission, but other than that and the fact that Deacon is a robot, nothing interesting or new or anything sci-fi beyond that.
The plot was, as previously stated, cut and dry.
As "meh" as this graphic novel was, I would actually probably recommend it to people who just want a quick read that is engaging enough for its length.
May 7, 2019
An interesting concept (can a synthetic human not only fall in love with a human, but also a same sex human), developed with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer.
The android Deacon has no problem, emotionally, killing a colony full of people, but then starts to develop feelings for Jeff (still not entirely sure why, because Jeff seems a bit.. bland to me) and decides to protect him from the retrieval team.
There's an interesting idea here, a synthetic wanting to experience love and lust, and can Jeff trust the synthetic's emotions, etc. Jeff has been ostracised by the colony because of his homosexuality, and there's an obvious comparison between Jeff being made into 'the other', and the 'otherness' of Deacon. But there is little development here - feelings and thoughts are constantly stated, it is hard to get swept up by it. In a way I wanted Deacon's otherness to be much more prominent, so he truly would become like an alien trying to fit in with humans.
And then there is the corporate lady who is conducting an exit interview with Deacon, basically deciding whether Deacon gets scrapped or not. She's little more than a pantomime villain, lots of shouting and sneering, and cruelty for its own sake. How much more interesting (and chilling) it could've been if she had treated Deacon much more matter-of-factly, as if he really was not much more than an appliance to her.
I also didn't like the art very much - generally it looks flat and uninspired.
The android Deacon has no problem, emotionally, killing a colony full of people, but then starts to develop feelings for Jeff (still not entirely sure why, because Jeff seems a bit.. bland to me) and decides to protect him from the retrieval team.
There's an interesting idea here, a synthetic wanting to experience love and lust, and can Jeff trust the synthetic's emotions, etc. Jeff has been ostracised by the colony because of his homosexuality, and there's an obvious comparison between Jeff being made into 'the other', and the 'otherness' of Deacon. But there is little development here - feelings and thoughts are constantly stated, it is hard to get swept up by it. In a way I wanted Deacon's otherness to be much more prominent, so he truly would become like an alien trying to fit in with humans.
And then there is the corporate lady who is conducting an exit interview with Deacon, basically deciding whether Deacon gets scrapped or not. She's little more than a pantomime villain, lots of shouting and sneering, and cruelty for its own sake. How much more interesting (and chilling) it could've been if she had treated Deacon much more matter-of-factly, as if he really was not much more than an appliance to her.
I also didn't like the art very much - generally it looks flat and uninspired.
October 9, 2013
Do you like comics? Of course you do. Do you like science fiction comics? Yes. Do you like gay science fiction comics? I bet you do.
But what has all those things? What can you possibly find that will combine your three favourite things? Lucky for you (and for me), Alex Woolfson has put his brilliant mind to work to unite all those things to create an incredible comic about a gay bot/boy romance.
Artifice is a wonderful, imaginative look at a different type of relationship—the love between man and machine, in the most passionate sense of love. For queer readers looking for a new comic featuring gay characters who are not the stereotypical image seen too often in mainstream media, Artifice presents a brand new front.
Complete review: http://www.paperdroids.com/2013/07/07...
But what has all those things? What can you possibly find that will combine your three favourite things? Lucky for you (and for me), Alex Woolfson has put his brilliant mind to work to unite all those things to create an incredible comic about a gay bot/boy romance.
Artifice is a wonderful, imaginative look at a different type of relationship—the love between man and machine, in the most passionate sense of love. For queer readers looking for a new comic featuring gay characters who are not the stereotypical image seen too often in mainstream media, Artifice presents a brand new front.
Complete review: http://www.paperdroids.com/2013/07/07...
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