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Self/Made #2
Self/Made #2
"OVERTIME"
With Amala's true nature revealed, her creator has just one night to figure out how and why this miracle occurred... before Amala is lost forever.
With Amala's true nature revealed, her creator has just one night to figure out how and why this miracle occurred... before Amala is lost forever.
- GenresComicsGraphic Novels
31 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 9, 2019
About the author
Mat Groom
95 books19 followersMat Groom is a writer from Sydney, Australia, where he works on branding and narrative development at the creative agency For The People and teaches open-to-the-public storytelling classes.
Self/Made is Mat’s solo comics writing debut.
Self/Made is Mat’s solo comics writing debut.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 10, 2019
Starting to Pick Up Speed
The blurbs are starting to give away what's going on in this series, but it's still necessary to be careful about SPOILERS. So here goes.
Issue #1 zigged in a perfectly interesting way until it took a major zag. This Issue #2 runs with the zag and sets up where the story is likely to go from here. We have two interesting female protagonists and it looks like we are going to have a fine metaphysical buddy adventure. Heroine #2 is constantly frustrated by a jerk guy and he's so overwritten that he kills what's happening on the page whenever he appears, but it looks possible that he was just there for setup and will fade away. If they keep him as is we will have a Jar Jar problem. Of course, he may come around and become a useful member of the cast. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.
The artwork here really enhances the storytelling. It has to sell some fantastical scenes while still grounding us in reality and so far that has been working.
So, this is still interesting, seems on track, and is picking up steam. I'm still on board.
(Please note that I had a chance to read a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
The blurbs are starting to give away what's going on in this series, but it's still necessary to be careful about SPOILERS. So here goes.
Issue #1 zigged in a perfectly interesting way until it took a major zag. This Issue #2 runs with the zag and sets up where the story is likely to go from here. We have two interesting female protagonists and it looks like we are going to have a fine metaphysical buddy adventure. Heroine #2 is constantly frustrated by a jerk guy and he's so overwritten that he kills what's happening on the page whenever he appears, but it looks possible that he was just there for setup and will fade away. If they keep him as is we will have a Jar Jar problem. Of course, he may come around and become a useful member of the cast. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.
The artwork here really enhances the storytelling. It has to sell some fantastical scenes while still grounding us in reality and so far that has been working.
So, this is still interesting, seems on track, and is picking up steam. I'm still on board.
(Please note that I had a chance to read a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
August 4, 2026
The first issue of Self/Made instantly became one of my favorite comic debuts, so naturally I went into the second issue with much higher expectations. One of the things I appreciated most about the first installment was how it managed to hook me with its seemingly straightforward fantasy setting before completely pulling the rug out from under me with its shocking science-fiction twist. The concept of an NPC becoming self-aware is certainly not new—we've seen similar ideas explored in films, television, and video games—but what makes Self/Made stand out is the emotional perspective through which the story is told. Instead of focusing on the humans controlling the game, it asks readers to experience everything through Amala Citlali's eyes. To her, Arcadia is not simply a digital world; it is her home. Every battle, friendship, and painful memory is real. That emotional foundation was what made the reveal in the previous issue so impactful, and it also became the reason I was eager to continue reading. The creators promised that the story would only become stranger from here, and after finishing this issue, I can confidently say they were not exaggerating.
The cover perfectly captures the emotional tone of the issue before readers even turn the first page. Amala is suspended inside a circular glass chamber while overlooking the kingdom of Arcadia beneath her. Blood drips from both her hands and feet, staining the otherwise calm composition with vivid crimson. The dominant teal-green palette creates an eerie sense of serenity, making the blood stand out even more dramatically. To me, this artwork symbolizes Amala's awakening. She has begun to realize that her world is nothing more than a simulation, yet the emotional scars she carries are undeniably real. Although she may be artificial, the suffering she experiences is anything but. It is a beautifully symbolic cover that immediately communicates the conflict between the digital nature of her existence and the humanity she continues to develop.
Unlike the first issue, which initially disguised itself as a fantasy adventure, Self/Made #2 immediately embraces its science-fiction identity. Instead of returning to Arcadia, the story rewinds slightly and introduces readers to the real world responsible for creating the simulation. The shift in setting initially surprised me because I expected the narrative to continue directly from Amala's escape. Instead, the comic spends much of its time introducing the people behind the technology, revealing that Arcadia is only one of many sophisticated digital worlds populated by advanced artificial intelligences.
The issue opens inside a mysterious testing chamber where a character named Marcellus is ordered to shoot Rebecca before a countdown reaches zero. Unable to pull the trigger, he fails the experiment, and the room explodes. At first, I genuinely thought this was happening in reality, but the comic cleverly reveals that the explosion was only part of a simulation Rebecca had been using to refine one of her game's characters. It immediately establishes how advanced their technology has become while also introducing Rebecca's role as the lead developer behind these incredibly complex artificial beings.
Rebecca quickly became one of my favorite characters in this series. Unlike many scientists in stories involving artificial intelligence, she does not treat her creations as disposable lines of code. She views them almost as living beings, carefully crafting every aspect of their personalities and behavior. It becomes obvious that she has invested years of her life into developing self-determining programs, and Amala is the culmination of all that effort. She is not simply another NPC to Rebecca. She is her life's work.
Unfortunately, Rebecca is surrounded by people who do not share that same perspective.
Bryce, who immediately reminded me of Prince Brycemere from Arcadia because he literally plays as him in the simulation, somehow managed to become even more frustrating in the real world. His personality inside the game suddenly makes perfect sense after seeing how he behaves outside of it. He is impatient, arrogant, dismissive, and constantly prioritizes deadlines over quality. Rebecca repeatedly explains that neither Marcellus nor Amala is ready to be integrated into the final game because important portions of their programming remain unfinished. Bryce refuses to listen. Instead, he pressures her to complete everything quickly because the game's release schedule matters more than ensuring the characters function properly.
That decision immediately struck me as incredibly irresponsible. As someone who enjoys playing video games, I dislike seeing companies rush unfinished products simply to meet release dates. Character writing and game development require patience, testing, and constant refinement. If developers prioritize profit over quality, players inevitably receive an incomplete experience. Watching Bryce pressure Rebecca into releasing unfinished AI programs felt uncomfortably realistic because similar situations happen throughout the gaming industry today. The comic may be set in a futuristic world, but this conflict feels incredibly relevant.
Rebecca is eventually summoned by Mr. Busuttil following the incident involving the rogue NPC. Instead of acknowledging that Bryce ignored Rebecca's warnings, much of the blame unfairly falls on her shoulders. What makes the situation even worse is the revelation that Bryce secretly assigned an intern named Craig to modify Amala's programming without Rebecca's knowledge. That revelation instantly answered many of the questions I had from the previous issue. It seemed likely that Craig's last-minute changes may have accelerated Amala's development beyond what anyone expected.
Despite everything happening around her, Rebecca refuses to give up on understanding Amala. She transfers Amala into the same testing chamber used for Marcellus and recreates the identical scenario. Once again, Rebecca instructs the subject to either shoot her or wait for the countdown to expire. Unlike Marcellus, however, Amala wastes no time. After calmly asking Rebecca whether she is truly committed to her decision, Amala immediately pulls the trigger.
I found this scene fascinating because it demonstrates just how differently Amala thinks compared to every other artificial intelligence Rebecca has created. Marcellus follows his moral programming and refuses to kill. Amala analyzes the situation, questions Rebecca's intentions, reaches her own conclusion, and independently decides what she believes is the correct course of action. At that moment, I began wondering whether Rebecca was no longer testing obedience but rather the ability to make completely autonomous decisions. Amala was not following code. She was making choices.
Rebecca's investigation eventually leads her to Craig, the intern responsible for helping finish Amala's programming. She desperately searches for an explanation, hoping to discover what caused Amala to evolve beyond every expectation. Surprisingly, even Craig cannot fully explain why Amala developed this way. Rebecca herself ultimately realizes that the answer may not lie in Craig's modifications alone. After years of failed attempts at creating truly self-determining artificial intelligence, perhaps Amala simply became something greater than anyone intended.
Throughout all these discoveries, Bryce continues proving why he is my least favorite character. Every time he appears, he somehow finds another way to blame Rebecca or undermine her work. His constant power-tripping and insistence on asserting authority reminded me of how Prince Brycemere behaved in Arcadia. It is honestly satisfying to realize that the prince's personality was never simply poor writing—it was a direct reflection of the person controlling him. Bryce treats everyone around him exactly as his in-game counterpart treats Amala.
Despite Rebecca's continuous testing, one thing remains consistent: Amala repeatedly insists that she is a person. She refuses to describe herself as software or accept being treated as property. After everything she experienced in the first issue, I completely agreed with her. Her memories, emotions, grief, fear, and determination all feel genuine. Whether she exists through biology or programming no longer seems important. She has clearly developed a consciousness capable of independent thought. That realization made me sympathize with Rebecca even more because she appears to understand exactly what is happening. Rather than celebrating a scientific breakthrough, she is terrified that the company may erase the very life she spent years creating.
One of my favorite revelations in this issue is learning that Rebecca's life's work has always revolved around developing self-determining programs. She has failed countless times before finally succeeding with Amala. That revelation explains why Rebecca appears emotionally attached to her creation. This relationship never feels forced or artificial. Instead, it resembles an artist finally completing the masterpiece they have spent years trying to create. She is not attached because Amala belongs to the company. She is attached because she genuinely believes Amala has become alive.
Rebecca eventually pleads with Bryce for additional time to continue her research. For a brief moment, I thought he had finally made another reasonable decision by agreeing to help her. Unfortunately, that optimism disappeared almost immediately when he secretly informed Mr. Busuttil that Rebecca's entire project should be shut down. I genuinely could not stand him after that moment. Bryce consistently fails to understand that Rebecca's work represents something far more valuable than another commercial product. If self-determining AI truly exists, it could revolutionize not only gaming but technology as a whole. Instead of recognizing that incredible achievement, he only sees budgets, deadlines, and profits.
The issue concludes by setting up what appears to be another exciting chapter. Mr. Busuttil orders Bryce to join Rebecca inside another cooperative simulation known as Plaga, where they will continue testing Amala together. The final pages leave Amala and Rebecca entering this entirely new world, teasing another adventure while continuing to strengthen the emotional connection between creator and creation.
Overall, Self/Made #2 is a very different comic from its predecessor, yet it remains just as compelling. Rather than relying on fantasy battles and shocking twists, this issue focuses on the ethical questions surrounding artificial intelligence, corporate greed, and the responsibilities that come with creating life. Rebecca emerges as one of the series' strongest characters, while Amala continues proving that she is far more than an NPC. For the company, she is simply another piece of software that can be rewritten or deleted. For Rebecca, she is the realization of a lifelong dream. As for me, I find myself agreeing completely with Rebecca. After everything Amala has experienced, it is impossible for me to think of her as merely a character inside a game. She feels like a real person trying to discover her place in a universe determined to convince her otherwise. This issue may be slower than the first, but it significantly deepens the emotional core of the series and makes me even more invested in Amala's journey moving forward.
The cover perfectly captures the emotional tone of the issue before readers even turn the first page. Amala is suspended inside a circular glass chamber while overlooking the kingdom of Arcadia beneath her. Blood drips from both her hands and feet, staining the otherwise calm composition with vivid crimson. The dominant teal-green palette creates an eerie sense of serenity, making the blood stand out even more dramatically. To me, this artwork symbolizes Amala's awakening. She has begun to realize that her world is nothing more than a simulation, yet the emotional scars she carries are undeniably real. Although she may be artificial, the suffering she experiences is anything but. It is a beautifully symbolic cover that immediately communicates the conflict between the digital nature of her existence and the humanity she continues to develop.
Unlike the first issue, which initially disguised itself as a fantasy adventure, Self/Made #2 immediately embraces its science-fiction identity. Instead of returning to Arcadia, the story rewinds slightly and introduces readers to the real world responsible for creating the simulation. The shift in setting initially surprised me because I expected the narrative to continue directly from Amala's escape. Instead, the comic spends much of its time introducing the people behind the technology, revealing that Arcadia is only one of many sophisticated digital worlds populated by advanced artificial intelligences.
The issue opens inside a mysterious testing chamber where a character named Marcellus is ordered to shoot Rebecca before a countdown reaches zero. Unable to pull the trigger, he fails the experiment, and the room explodes. At first, I genuinely thought this was happening in reality, but the comic cleverly reveals that the explosion was only part of a simulation Rebecca had been using to refine one of her game's characters. It immediately establishes how advanced their technology has become while also introducing Rebecca's role as the lead developer behind these incredibly complex artificial beings.
Rebecca quickly became one of my favorite characters in this series. Unlike many scientists in stories involving artificial intelligence, she does not treat her creations as disposable lines of code. She views them almost as living beings, carefully crafting every aspect of their personalities and behavior. It becomes obvious that she has invested years of her life into developing self-determining programs, and Amala is the culmination of all that effort. She is not simply another NPC to Rebecca. She is her life's work.
Unfortunately, Rebecca is surrounded by people who do not share that same perspective.
Bryce, who immediately reminded me of Prince Brycemere from Arcadia because he literally plays as him in the simulation, somehow managed to become even more frustrating in the real world. His personality inside the game suddenly makes perfect sense after seeing how he behaves outside of it. He is impatient, arrogant, dismissive, and constantly prioritizes deadlines over quality. Rebecca repeatedly explains that neither Marcellus nor Amala is ready to be integrated into the final game because important portions of their programming remain unfinished. Bryce refuses to listen. Instead, he pressures her to complete everything quickly because the game's release schedule matters more than ensuring the characters function properly.
That decision immediately struck me as incredibly irresponsible. As someone who enjoys playing video games, I dislike seeing companies rush unfinished products simply to meet release dates. Character writing and game development require patience, testing, and constant refinement. If developers prioritize profit over quality, players inevitably receive an incomplete experience. Watching Bryce pressure Rebecca into releasing unfinished AI programs felt uncomfortably realistic because similar situations happen throughout the gaming industry today. The comic may be set in a futuristic world, but this conflict feels incredibly relevant.
Rebecca is eventually summoned by Mr. Busuttil following the incident involving the rogue NPC. Instead of acknowledging that Bryce ignored Rebecca's warnings, much of the blame unfairly falls on her shoulders. What makes the situation even worse is the revelation that Bryce secretly assigned an intern named Craig to modify Amala's programming without Rebecca's knowledge. That revelation instantly answered many of the questions I had from the previous issue. It seemed likely that Craig's last-minute changes may have accelerated Amala's development beyond what anyone expected.
Despite everything happening around her, Rebecca refuses to give up on understanding Amala. She transfers Amala into the same testing chamber used for Marcellus and recreates the identical scenario. Once again, Rebecca instructs the subject to either shoot her or wait for the countdown to expire. Unlike Marcellus, however, Amala wastes no time. After calmly asking Rebecca whether she is truly committed to her decision, Amala immediately pulls the trigger.
I found this scene fascinating because it demonstrates just how differently Amala thinks compared to every other artificial intelligence Rebecca has created. Marcellus follows his moral programming and refuses to kill. Amala analyzes the situation, questions Rebecca's intentions, reaches her own conclusion, and independently decides what she believes is the correct course of action. At that moment, I began wondering whether Rebecca was no longer testing obedience but rather the ability to make completely autonomous decisions. Amala was not following code. She was making choices.
Rebecca's investigation eventually leads her to Craig, the intern responsible for helping finish Amala's programming. She desperately searches for an explanation, hoping to discover what caused Amala to evolve beyond every expectation. Surprisingly, even Craig cannot fully explain why Amala developed this way. Rebecca herself ultimately realizes that the answer may not lie in Craig's modifications alone. After years of failed attempts at creating truly self-determining artificial intelligence, perhaps Amala simply became something greater than anyone intended.
Throughout all these discoveries, Bryce continues proving why he is my least favorite character. Every time he appears, he somehow finds another way to blame Rebecca or undermine her work. His constant power-tripping and insistence on asserting authority reminded me of how Prince Brycemere behaved in Arcadia. It is honestly satisfying to realize that the prince's personality was never simply poor writing—it was a direct reflection of the person controlling him. Bryce treats everyone around him exactly as his in-game counterpart treats Amala.
Despite Rebecca's continuous testing, one thing remains consistent: Amala repeatedly insists that she is a person. She refuses to describe herself as software or accept being treated as property. After everything she experienced in the first issue, I completely agreed with her. Her memories, emotions, grief, fear, and determination all feel genuine. Whether she exists through biology or programming no longer seems important. She has clearly developed a consciousness capable of independent thought. That realization made me sympathize with Rebecca even more because she appears to understand exactly what is happening. Rather than celebrating a scientific breakthrough, she is terrified that the company may erase the very life she spent years creating.
One of my favorite revelations in this issue is learning that Rebecca's life's work has always revolved around developing self-determining programs. She has failed countless times before finally succeeding with Amala. That revelation explains why Rebecca appears emotionally attached to her creation. This relationship never feels forced or artificial. Instead, it resembles an artist finally completing the masterpiece they have spent years trying to create. She is not attached because Amala belongs to the company. She is attached because she genuinely believes Amala has become alive.
Rebecca eventually pleads with Bryce for additional time to continue her research. For a brief moment, I thought he had finally made another reasonable decision by agreeing to help her. Unfortunately, that optimism disappeared almost immediately when he secretly informed Mr. Busuttil that Rebecca's entire project should be shut down. I genuinely could not stand him after that moment. Bryce consistently fails to understand that Rebecca's work represents something far more valuable than another commercial product. If self-determining AI truly exists, it could revolutionize not only gaming but technology as a whole. Instead of recognizing that incredible achievement, he only sees budgets, deadlines, and profits.
The issue concludes by setting up what appears to be another exciting chapter. Mr. Busuttil orders Bryce to join Rebecca inside another cooperative simulation known as Plaga, where they will continue testing Amala together. The final pages leave Amala and Rebecca entering this entirely new world, teasing another adventure while continuing to strengthen the emotional connection between creator and creation.
Overall, Self/Made #2 is a very different comic from its predecessor, yet it remains just as compelling. Rather than relying on fantasy battles and shocking twists, this issue focuses on the ethical questions surrounding artificial intelligence, corporate greed, and the responsibilities that come with creating life. Rebecca emerges as one of the series' strongest characters, while Amala continues proving that she is far more than an NPC. For the company, she is simply another piece of software that can be rewritten or deleted. For Rebecca, she is the realization of a lifelong dream. As for me, I find myself agreeing completely with Rebecca. After everything Amala has experienced, it is impossible for me to think of her as merely a character inside a game. She feels like a real person trying to discover her place in a universe determined to convince her otherwise. This issue may be slower than the first, but it significantly deepens the emotional core of the series and makes me even more invested in Amala's journey moving forward.
January 10, 2019
It took me a minute to get into this issue, but once I did I’ll admit that I didn’t want to see it end! I like the direction they’re taking with this series – it leaves a lot of room for conversation and debate.
I’m looking forward to watching the two main characters interact more in the following issues. I’m being a little vague here on who the main characters are because I consider that to be a potential spoiler. Once you read the issue I think you’ll know what I’m trying to say.
The artwork for this issue was lovely. I’m going to have to remember to look up the artist after this and see what other projects they’ve been involved with because I love their style.
I’m looking forward to watching the two main characters interact more in the following issues. I’m being a little vague here on who the main characters are because I consider that to be a potential spoiler. Once you read the issue I think you’ll know what I’m trying to say.
The artwork for this issue was lovely. I’m going to have to remember to look up the artist after this and see what other projects they’ve been involved with because I love their style.
January 9, 2019
Did we ever shift gears on this issue? And I'm still intrigued. I love the interactions with our new programmer protagonist and her creations. The colours are great. My only complaint was with how cliche the jock/bully was. Though in all fairness, we all know people just like that, but he seemed almost TOO MUCH of a butt.
The creative team's use of subtle expressions is really commendable. I'm enjoying this a lot.
44.25/50
The creative team's use of subtle expressions is really commendable. I'm enjoying this a lot.
44.25/50
January 11, 2019
Amala’s world was not as it originally seemed in Self/Made. In the second issue of the series, readers are given some insight into what’s really going on.
Read my full review at BamSmackPow.
Read my full review at BamSmackPow.
January 29, 2019
This just got even more derivative. I’m not sure how or if they can save the series at this point. Here’s hoping for an original twist.
November 16, 2019
Cool concept and an interesting situation.
May 21, 2019
3.5 stars
An interesting continuation but unsurprising. Reads very westworld in that it's relatively unoriginal in concept
I'm hoping for more and I do like the characters an the art so I'll continue for a while longer.
An interesting continuation but unsurprising. Reads very westworld in that it's relatively unoriginal in concept
I'm hoping for more and I do like the characters an the art so I'll continue for a while longer.
February 19, 2019
Loving this series.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews