The Two Faces of Tomorrow

by Yukinobu Hoshino, James P. Hogan, Frederik L. Schodt (Translator)

Midway through the 21st century, an integrated global computer network manages much of the world's affairs. A proposed major software upgrade - an artificial intelligence - will give the system an unprecedented degree of independent decision-making, but serious questions are raised in regard to how much control can safely be given to a non-human intelligence. In order to more fully assess the system, a new space-station habitat - a world in miniature - is developed for deployment of the fully operational system, named Spartacus. This mini-world can then be "attacked" in a series of escalating tests to assess the system's responses and capabilities. If Spartacus gets out of hand, the system can be shut down and the station destroyed... unless Spartacus decides to take matters into its own hands and take the fight to Earth.

Genres: Manga, Science Fiction, Comics, Graphic Novels, Fiction

576 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Yukinobu Hoshino (in Japanese, 星野之宣) is a Japanese manga artist. In 1975, after dropping out of Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music, he debuted with Kotetsu no Queen (鋼鉄のクイーン). In the same year, he won the Tezuka prize for an outstanding manga with Harukanaru Asa (はるかなる朝).

He is known for using the gekiga style to create detailed and serious science fiction stories based on American and European SF novels but creating a completely different storyline. He had also drawn various works based on ancient and pre-historic histories. Amongst other things, he is known for his graphic novel series, 2001 Nights (2001夜物語).

His work is acknowledged by the British Museum and was on display during 5 November 2009 to 3 January 2010.

Reviews

[Slartibartfast · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different kind of AI-takes-over-and-wants-to-kill-all-other-sentient-life tale which actually explains the train of thought the people who created it go through and what the machine goes through as it matures into a formidable entity. Can't give out any more spoilers though :P

The environment in which it's set seems more logical than the run of the mill sci-fi AI fodder, like Terminator and Person of Interest (which is brilliant BTW). The complete isolation of the whole test facility and measures taken to ensure it doesn't get out of hand are well thought out and it's not so jargon filled that you'll need a whole new dictionary to understand what they're trying to convey (Neuromancer, I'm talking about you).

The toroidal space station concept is seen in numerous instances, but this is one of the few where they explain the different concepts associated with it quite clearly, so that even a noob will be able to appreciate the complexity of living in space.

The whole problem creation and debugging process that they use when Spartacus first comes online was a good mental exercise for me, as I stopped reading and tried to interpret how the computer would react in those cases. Puzzles are puzzlingly fun :P.

A good read and one of the best manga/graphic novels I've read in a long time.

[Ben Humeniuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

A satisfying hard sci-fi thriller made better, I'd say, for being in manga format. Here, you've got Hoshino working in a style familiar to readers of Otomo, with expressive and simple character designs contrasting with heavily-researched and plausible man-made environments. A philosophical thought-experiment (will sentient AI help us or harm us?) gains progressively-greater stakes, aided by well-paced plotting, and Hogan's somewhat-stock characters are aided by Hoshino's character-acting. A solid read with absolutely fantastic artwork-- and an optimistic message about a post-singularity future.

[Truesteye · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Did the shapes therfore think, like Spartacus..."

The best description of the book is found on its back cover, a technothriller. A very popular genre in post Matrix era, which led to this comic adaptation of 1979 novel James P Hogan of similar name. I haven't read the original work, the premise would've been futuristic in 1979 for sure. The adaptation is either faithful to a fault or not mindful enough to modernize the vision. Also probably lost in translation were most of the characterizations as it's populated by stock characters only to provide exposition or advance the plot.

The art style deserve praise but overall renditions leave a lot to be desired. The action isn't very clear or exciting. Even in a static medium you can feel the effects of Hollywood's shaky cam and quick cutting. I wish more insight and panels were given to the only character that has some growth here, Spartacus the AI.

Still the book is short enough and moves fast enough to finish before the novelty wears off. And maybe don't start it soon after finishing the Sandman Saga.

[Korynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

A relatively interesting graphic about man versus machine. In this case, scientists provoke an newly fledged artificial intelligence into evolving, thinking they can control the evolution. Instead it leads to unavoidable battle, nearly destroying the space station and killing many of the inhabitants. Finally the scientists manage a dialogue before forced destruction and the ending gives hope that a new society in which a.i. and humans work together will evolve.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a well paced and exciting book about a computer program's AI growth. How it reacts to and learns about humans. There are a number of primary characters, they have limited growth, but the whole story only encompasses a few weeks at most, so that is understandable.
It was a fun story. the graphics are well drawn, though in a sparse style. Some of the battles were a bit difficult to follow due to this style; but it didn't hinder the story.
an enjoyable read!

[Text book recommended by my friend Chuck.]

[Centauri · Rating 3 out of 5]

after reading this, I must ask: why do tech firms still want to produce smarter machines & computers? I mean, from terminator to irobot, and all in between and beyond (this graphic novel, one of the many), expressly depict a world that should fear A.I. yet mankind continue to seek this outcome it would seem.

this was a nice spin on a genre & topic done many times. putting the story in space makes me think of Asimov. the "love triangle" was not needed though, in my opinion. it did not strengthen, nor weaken, the over-all plot

[Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of Hogan's earlier works.. some say that al his books are "formulaic" ... i like the subject matter and the sort of scientific conflict in all his books that i have read, so i;m ok with that.. i think all are a good read for the science-situation-drama sort of thing.. this one, is one of my favs that i read when i was about 12yrs old - about when it 1st came out ^.!

enjoy!

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting idea that riffs on 2001 A Space Odyssey. Super computer activates, supercomputer defends itself, Human's must learn to coexist (ok, not quite like Hal, but still...) Interesting that this was adapted into a manga though.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Curious man vs. machine of his own creation book. It was an addictive read. I read it twice.

[bluetyson]

The Two Faces Of Tomorrow by James P. Hogan (2000)

[a20 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

[Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!!!!!!