City: The Mind in the Machine Volume 1

by Eric Garcia, Javier Fernández (Illustrations), Drew Moss (Illustrations)

Ben Fischer helped build the world's greatest surveillance system, Golden Shield, which utilizes every camera, cell phone, and computer in San Francisco to battle crime. But the Shield needs a human mind to operate -- a controversial melding of man and machine.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Science Fiction

104 pages, Paperback

First published September 23, 2014

About the author

Eric Garcia grew up in Miami, Florida, and attended Cornell University and the University of Southern California, where he majored in creative writing and film. He lives outside Los Angeles with his wife, daughter, and dachshund. He is also developing a series for the Sci Fi channel based on the Rex novels.

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A real cool concept that felt rushed. Maybe Eric Garcia thought he was only going to be able to write 5 issues. He wanted to wrap everything up in that time. I wish he had shot for ten. A slower progression of the powers and the overall feel of the enemies that were in play could have been expanded so much more.

[Jennifer Brinkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty decent story. There was a huge lead in but the ending just seemed too abrupt in comparison. Still worth the read.

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 2 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

City: The Mind in the Machine Collects 4 issues of the comic into one storyline arc. While a near-future storyline of cyber security gone wrong and big-brother watching should be topical, the whole concept honestly feelt very dated. There simply wasn't enough originality to plot or art to capture or keep my attention.

Story: Ben and Owen have created a cyber surveillance system linking into security cams around the City. They hope to stop terrorism with the new system. But when Ben becomes the target of a terrorist bombing and loses his eyesight, Owen uses the opportunity to implant cybernetic eyes. When the source of Ben's terrorist accident leads back to his and Owen's military customers, Ben will suddenly find himself to be a new target: this time for termination for knowing too much.

What we have is yet another "man gets computer implants and suddenly gains god-like powers". I wasn't buying a lot of it - not everyone, especially surveillance cams inside stores and buildings, are linked to a network so it made no sense he could do what he did (there was some babble about him 'feeling' electricity). Ben's powers became more than a bit unrealistic in their scope and yet surprisingly underwhelming in actual execution (only enough to further the story and nothing really creative, I felt). Even the open ending was far too much of a cliche.

The artwork, while full color and sufficient, was also very busy without necessarily being detailed. It was suitable for the story but somehow lacking in a distinctness. The characters all felt like they were in a superhero comic book from the 1990s.

Of course, the bad guy was completely evil and no one with any sophistication in reading would have not figured out his identity by the fifth page. As well, I'm not quite sure I'm buying that Ben's computer coding friend also knows how to/has access to all the medical teams that would be needed to implant new eyes and have them work along the optic nerve. It was things like that which kept straining my credibility to the point of insult.

So while not a terrible title, it definitely didn't have much going for it in the way of originality or distinctiveness. I never became engaged at any part.

Reviewed from an ARC.

[Alice Marsh-Elmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

An inversion of sci-fi Androids, in "City" a man, who has been coding a Big Brother-type security program that utilizes all of the cameras in the city, is plugged into the system directly. Instead of an AI that becomes overdeveloped, a human brain suddenly becomes AI by being plugged into this existing grid. And "City" moves quickly from there. Nearly immediately, the program begins to respond to by thought, then he is able to use sound devices on cameras that have them, and being able to manipulate computers and just about any other system that's plugged into the power grid (including the grid, itself) quickly follows.

At first intrigued, it quickly started to lose me. Imagining the ability to connect a human to the existing grid of security cameras and recording devices because they've been connected in order to create a central security system is, with some sci-fi creative license, believable. But being able to connect to and manipulate other systems (like the traffic control system) seemed a stretch to me--I could be wrong, but I don't actually think these systems are connected in any way except through, literally, electricity (the power grid). But unlike a slightly-smart collection of security cameras, other systems that happen to use electricity are manipulated by humans through computers. So what is our main character controlling with his mind--the power grid, or the computers that are plugged into it? And could both come so naturally as to be controlled merely by thought?

Like classic superheroes, Ben is suddenly granted a huge amount of power and control, and nearly immediately makes a very powerful enemy. But unlike our favored superheroes, he's just an average, white-collar guy. I hadn't been given enough of his backstory or personality to really feel for him, to want him to be in control of that vast amount of power, or to trust that he is using it as a force for good (and that he'll stay on that path). You're just left to assume, based on that he's a bit humbly and tends toward the shy, that he's "the right guy for the job."

"City" moves so very, very quickly that suddenly he's battling terrorism, corruption, and trying to save his love interest (whom he has trusted immediately with way to much information to possibly keep her alive) and, as a reader, I had barely had time to follow the powers at play. Overall, it felt rather unsophisticated. I'm curious as to what will happen next, and may read the next installment, but I don't think it's really introducing anything new.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept of City: Mind in the Machine is one that's been done before, but still continues to fascinate me. When can we say that technology has gone to far? Where do we draw the line between advancement and privacy? This graphic novel toes that line, and it did a pretty fair job of it. The idea of using terrorism as an excuse for spying on the general public? Well, let's just say that hits a bit close to home.

Starting with illustrations, they reminded me slightly of an anime. Just without the overly large eyes and over the top facial expressions. It made for a read that pulled me along, from brightly colored panel to brightly colored panel. I think my favorite part of the illustrations was seeing through the eyes of our main character. Once he became a part of the machine, looking through his eyes was like seeing through a computer screen. Random facts, the ability to zoom in, it was absolutely fascinating.

Story wise, I hovered between loving this and just following along. On the one hand, the idea of creating a surveillance system linked to a human mind is amazing. It takes into account the fact that humans have a natural ability to reason and prioritize. It also explores what happens when one person is given too much power. On the other hand, this first part of the story just didn't quite capture me as much as I was hoping for. I felt like there should have been more forward movement, more action. The ending made me hopeful though, so I'll keep reading on.

Overall? I'd say City: Mind in the Machine starts off this series strongly enough. Although I wasn't completely sold, it intrigued me enough to keep me wanting to read more.

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

A copy received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'd love to say that the drawing was extraordinary or marvelous, but it wasn't. I've read crappy manga with better drawings. On the plus side, I rather liked the story. To round up three stars from the story and one star from the drawing, you eventually get the 2 stars I gave this one.

In a world sometime in the future we have this guy Ben who designed a program to help fight crime. At first the program doesn't work since it lacks a key component - something to differentiate between good and bad.

Ben has this accident where his eyesight is lost. A friend of his asks him if he'd like his eyesight back, but "forgets" to add that Ben's mind and eyesight will be linked with Ben's program from now on.

At first Ben hates the changes - his eyesight is somewhat different from what it used to be. Instead of clear images he gets pixelated versions, unless he's connected to that program of his. And when I say connected, I mean connected - he even has this porthole thingy in the back of his neck. I'd say that he's a cyborg now...

As far as I understood Ben was the only cyborg, but the world had loads and loads of androids.

It looked like the four chapters had already been published somewhere and thus maybe the story wasn't all new for some.

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

'City: The Mind in the Machine Volume 1' is a graphic novel that is set in the not too distant future of our surveillance state. It's an action packed story that is a bit creepy. Spoilers will surely follow.

Ben Fischer helped to develop what is billed as the world's greatest surveillance system, but when Homeland Security sees a botched test, it's back to the drawing board. Before further work can be done, Ben is set on a course of action that will change his life and make him something more than human. He is changed and made to be part of the city. With his newfound abilities, he looks into the circumstances around his accident and finds things that send him on the run.

It's a page turning story that adds a sci-fi element to a police state gone crazy. With surveillance everywhere, it's definitely a cautionary tale. Does power corrupt even if it's meant for good? Do the innocent get judged along with the guilty? The message in the graphic novel is not that heavyhanded, but it is pervasive in the plot. I never felt preached at and found it to be a pretty exciting story.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, IDW Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

[A Reader's Heaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

Ben Fischer helped build the world’s greatest surveillance system, Golden Shield, which utilizes every camera, cell phone, and computer in San Francisco to battle crime.
There is only one problem: Golden Shield can’t work without a human mind to operate it, resulting in a controversial melding of man and machine.
Writer Eric Garcia delivers an action-packed story that questions the roles of security and technology in our modern society.

I have really started to enjoy reading graphic novels so when this one became available on Net Galley, I decided to give it a go. And I am very glad I did.

We are introduced to Ben Fischer, who helped build the world's best surveillance system. Everything security camera, phone, computer is linked to one giant network in the fight to beat crime. Ben gets caught in a terrorist attack on a train and is badly injured. As a result, the company he works for implants cameras in his eyes, and connects him to the network as the human "all ears, all eyes" part of Golden Shield.

In our world of ever-increasing presence of Big Brother, this graphic novel takes us to the extreme - and maybe not too distant future...


Paul
ARH

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

This works as ''Robocop'' for the surveillance generation, and on the whole works very well. Taking a man involved in the city-wide automated CCTV plans of San Francisco, then plumbing him into the entire network of the wired city as a human filter, it's able to address the whole Big Brother debate in four snappy, colourful issues. Of course, it does come down too liberal in conclusion, but the drama is inherent on the path there – there is the unexpected success of Ben, as he absorbs the technology and gets to control far too much of it for it to remain strictly speaking mere law enforcement. Even his lack of love life is fed deftly into the narrative, which is strong enough to be balanced enough and to never give anyone the heroic status that would spoil things. I know the 'who watches the watchmen?' debate has been done countless times before, but this is a fresh and more than decent enough modern iteration. How future volumes could pan out is beyond me, but I doubt if a successful sequel or more would be beyond the talents of this team.

[Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a very near future, surveillance is everywhere, yet it is not enough. Ben Fischer has helped design Golden Shield, which can be everywhere. Golden Shield has one problem: it still needs a human mind because you still need human intuition to do surveillance well (otherwise you end up sending a S.W.A.T. team to kill a bunch of kids playing cops and robbers instead of killing real robbers).

If you like dystopian reading, this may be for you.


Read the rest of my review over on my blog.

[AmandaEmma · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

I enjoyed this graphic novel, it was quite unlike anything else. I like that, for once, this was in colour instead of just black and white and I liked the little love interest.

I also think this could have been a whole lot better, even though this is only 100 pages I kept putting it down because I wasn't that intrigued.

I don't really have that much to say about it since it's enjoyable but that's about it. I don't know whether I'll continue with this series but I don't think I will.

[Elle Markov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben Fischer has been working on a big brother project called Golden Shield [could the name be anymore pretentious], the only problem is Golden Shield doesn't fully function without a human component. When Ben become that human component things become crazy as he uncovers the conspiracy behind one of the biggest surveillance projects ever.

I really enjoyed this story because it focuses on they dangers of mass surveillance as well as the corruption this kind of power can cause. The ending was very cliffhanger-ish so I'm hoping to see more of this.

Rating 5 out of 5
Read@Book

[Paul Allard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection deals with how we are watched by security cameras wherever we go and the power that it gives – and therefore can be abused. Our hero, Ben, becomes part of the security system and the comics show how it takes over his life. He realises that he is part of a larger conspiracy but fights to overcome it.

The writing style is interesting and the artwork well-executed. It is particularly engaging and I recommend this comic collection to all comic lovers.

[Fraser Sherman · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author in the end notes paints this as visionary near-future SF when it's really a recycling of cliches that go back well before the current surveillance state and its tech. And for anyone writing in 2014, the assumption exposing the level of surveillance will lead to reform all by itself is pretty silly.

[Annice22 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Borrowed from the Publisher/NetGalley for an honest review.

Although the concept wasn't new, I really enjoyed the story.