Terrorbytes Vol. 1

by Mark Russell

In an age where technology intertwines seamlessly with our everyday lives, TERRORBYTES delves deeper into the shadows of our digital existence, exploring the uncharted territories of human consciousness shaped by technological evolution. This new series pushes the boundaries of speculative fiction, presenting stories that challenge the very essence of identity, morality, and reality in a hyper-connected world.

The new series will continues to explore the dark and often dystopian themes that define our world. It poses critical questions about the future of human relationships, privacy, and autonomy in a world increasingly dominated by technology. Each issue/comic stands as a cautionary tale, reflecting upon the potential consequences of our current technological trajectory and challenging viewers to question the cost of progress. This new series invites readers to peer into the reflective surface of their screens and confront the profound impact of technology on the human condition, urging introspection and dialogue about the path we are collectively forging.

Genres: Comics

128 pages, Paperback

Expected publication May 26, 2026

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.

For the comic writer, see Mark Russell

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to both NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for an advance copy of this graphic novel collection that looks at the human factor in dealing with technology, how our foibles can be passed on electronically, programming the future the is not only bright with possibilities, but fraught with dangers we have never even considered.

To paraphrase the great Roy Blatty"...I have seen things you people wouldn't believe. Little blocks playing a game called Pong on a black and white TV in New Jersey. Enduro and E.T. on the Atari 2600. Commodore 64 and Apples galore. Cell phones as thick as bricks, and photos of the Moon taken from lunar orbit, by cell phones the size of what was a paperback book, once." The only problem with this technology is that it might make humanity just tears in the rain. We are moving quickly into a future, one that even as a science fiction fan from an early age, never thought possible. Humans lack the media understanding for social media, are driven by profits in the search for A.I., and well don't get they we might be racing to an endpoint. An endpoint that makes up many of the stories in this collection, by an author with a real understanding of the human heart. Terrorbytes Vol. 1 by Mark Russell and Mark London illustrated by various artists, is a collection of tales about a future that might be twenty minutes, a few years or even a century away, but one we have no idea what it might mean for all of us.

This is a collection of 5 comic issues, with a story that ties them together. A hundred plus yeas from now a space ship settles over Earth, landing a group of androids lead by N-8. They find an Earth barren of life, but with lots of technology, and even power. As the androids explore they find pockets of data that tell of what the future is. A device created to keep life going, even when the person would rather find our what is beyond the veil. A prison where one can be locked up, with only working allowing for freedom, or even worse more time for crimes untold. An App that pays for secrets, than asks for more and more acts to keep the money going. As the past unfolds for these explorers messages are sent, and the real secret of the Androids are reveled.

Mark Russell is currently one of my favorite comic writers, until I read his prose works, than he will just be one of my favorite writers. Everything I have read by him is so much better than I expected. If one can make the Hanna-Barbara character Snagglepuss fascinating, well we are talking a writer of great skill. This is a very good collection of Twilight Zone-like stories about technology, but even better they are about the human factor that gets missed a lot. There are stories about what happens when technology runs amok, what happens when humans allow it too. The lack of understanding, the lack of seeing how the easy path might lead to ruin. The stories stand on themselves, but again the comic tells a bigger story, and one I want to know more about. The art is quite good, done by various creators, who all seemed perfect for the stories they did. A big tech show, a small prison cell, even a house overlooking the bay. The art really fits the story told, and add to the impact in many ways.

Another great collection from a writer who does not get enough praise, and one I really look forward too. I can't wait for more stories in this universe. Or anything by Mark Russell.

[Ya Boi Be Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks Mad Cave Studios and Netgalley for the ARC!
This was very reminiscent of Black Mirror with a frame tale about robots wandering Earth after humanity has died. The frame tale is mostly there to serve as a beginning and endcap to each issue though there is motion near the end as N8 the robot gets a human consciousness botted and controlling him like some Fallout shit. Each anthology story was enjoyable although some weren’t as focused on tech as I expected. All stories involve speculative futures with a notable tech but the actual story or theme might not be as involved.
If you want, feel free to skip the rest of the review. It's just reviewing each story in the anthology.
The first story of a tech mogul selling a device to love out your memories during your death was gruesome and great. It really plays with the harsh “you either use people or get used by them” mentality some CEOs have along with the PR and deadly management that goes into new tech.
The second issue had great slightly grimy colorist work and a simmering tension that worked really well. The touches of the background getting more and more intense as well as the incorporation of the bright yellow color of the AI as he went further were nice. The tale itself was a good one of how far we go for money as well as AI psychosis.
The third story didn't do that much for me. The subscription service angle to how the prison system keeps those within prisons wasn't the strongest. The tech felt the least utilized though I don't think utilizing it more would've improved it. It's a fine failed prison escape just pretty weak to me.
The fourth issue's story wasn't much better. I appreciate complaining and bemoaning the glitz and glam of the hellscape that is Mr. Beast and his company. But this is just excessive with a crazy rogue AI. I guess it brings up how far we go for entertainment, the rampancy rogue AI can create, and the responsibility we have for our digital selves / digital tools (like AI here ew). But it's mostly just “Mr. Beast is bad and inauthentic” and going too far in its conclusion that it messes up effectiveness and goes into the realm of insanity and not being taken seriously.
The fifth issue's story I really enjoyed. It's the strongest of the less technology-based ones here. Of course tech is a big part here with its use of incorporation of rogue AI and using AI to help cover for us at jobs leading to catastrophes. But its mainly a heartfelt romance between two people making ends meet. One is talented enough for their hopes while the other one plays second fiddle at whatever their dreams are. The twist of the AI fucking them over and her resigning herself to death to spend time with her husband (another point of this is a great depiction of couples who live long distance) was super strong.

[Alex Sarll]

'Mark Russell does Black Mirror' is hardly the most radical or unexpected pitch ever; it's also not strictly true given two of these five issues are written by the publisher's CEO, Mark London. But it's to the latter's credit that he does bleak if-this-goes-on SF satire as well as his fellow Mark, and the anthology format stops any of the stories from dragging into sheer despair as can sometimes happen with a Russell series. The framing device is that, about a century from now, a spaceship crewed by robots arrives on Earth and tries to work out why the planet is a deserted ruin. And each issue is a chunk of data they find, detailing factors which, much like the already extant tines of the omnicrisis, may not be directly linked, but none of them help. A typically dreadful tech bro has plans to disrupt dying; a new app offers money for secrets; the world's biggest YouTuber, 'Mr Brace' (can't think who the real inspiration might be) creates an online second self when he worries his crown is slipping. Those are all pretty good, though the prison story (Andor meets Kafka) and the final issue here (a slightly directionless space quarantine affair), both Russell, felt a bit surplus to requirements. And really, given the fierce competition from reality, I feel like absurdist dystopian fiction needs to be firing on all cylinders nowadays.

(Netgalley ARC)

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Schnikeys! This graphic novel is amazing!!

[I put exclamation points so you have to read it.]

Mark Russell leads us in a futuristic look at how we have sold our minds, bodies, and souls to technology and the price we have paid for it. Each chapter tells a tale. Each tale is unique and is thought provoking.

Since it is a graphic novel, you have to talk about the visual aspect. There is different looks to several of the chapters and each is a thing of beauty. This is a near perfect graphic novel.

Read this. Enjoy the artwork and please, for the love of all that is good, pay attention to the stories. Heed the warnings. But, overall, enjoy the experience.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Lucsbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

If, like me, you are not too impressed by Terrorbytes' cover, ignore that feeling and dive in, because if you are a fan of "Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams" or "Black Mirror", you will love this.

The book consists of several smaller stories inside the bigger one, all discussing themes related to technology, late-stage capitalism, AI and the lack of humanity in humans. This was going to be a strong 4-star read, but then there was a story that shamelessly made fun of Mr Beast that elevated this entire book to legend status.

Please change the cover; this book deserves better. Everything else is amazing in how unsettling and perceptive of the world we live in and are headed to it is.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for this DRC.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Russell provides a vivid illustration of a potential future showcasing the darker side of advancing technology. In each of the five parts, we see the storyline of a person who is desperate for something lose themselves to technology. Whether it be in desperation from poverty, loneliness, or greed, we see how what seem to be innocent decisions can lead to a much darker fate.

Definitely a relevant and important cautionary tale in these times. Excited for volume two!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

[Kiana · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75/5

I appreciate the art style and what conversations this graphic novel was trying to have, but something about the execution did not fully work for me. I think my issue came from the story that was trying to link the rest of the stories together, which as issues may work because you only digest them one at a time, but having them together in one volume, that story does not make as much sense.

[Amelia Suedel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Mad Cave Studios for a digital copy of this Graphic novel in exchange for my review!

Terrorbytes was a collection of technology-related apocalypse stories reminiscent of black mirror. I enjoyed the first volume and while some of the stories were quite predictable with the whole "technology is bad" mantra I was still entertained and there were some interesting ideas there. The art was good and I found it an easy read!

[Haruka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read!!! I enjoyed all the stories in this book!! The book contains stories showing how when technology is too advanced we can use it for the wrong things and that how the world could ended. I really love the stories!! I really hope there more like this!!
.
.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for giving me the chance to read this book in advance~