Man vs. robot in a mixed martial arts-like battle. At stake? The future of humankind and the future of robotkind. Taking place in the future, robots are now the dominant lifeform. Humanity had been wiped out but has now been brought back to work in the lowest rung of society. But, some of humankind strives for more. After a robot is put out of work, a fight is set up and that fight has spiraled. Metal Society #4 focuses in on how this bought has grown and what’s at stake at the center of it all.

Written by Zack Kaplan, Metal Society #4 is an interesting story, the quiet before the battle. Each side gives their speeches to their supporters. And, like so many real fights, the rhetoric has gotten out of hand whipping up supporters. In this case, each has incited violence in some way making the fight a powder keg of tension ready to explode. For humanity, the fight is seen as proof that they can do so much more than clean waste and that they are at least equals to the robot society. For the robot society, it’s a way to show off their dominance putting down an insurgent humanity that threatens their way of life. Race. Gender. Workers rights. Castes. You can see how this fight and series as a whole is an examination of so much. The depth to its story runs deep and an examination can go many ways.

But Kaplan also examines how rhetoric spirals. Each fighter confronts their words and what it has caused. We get a better sense of where they see themselves and their role in it all. What are they trying to prove for themselves, not what society has implanted on them. Again, a simple examination brings layers as this fiery rhetoric can be anything from the incitement politicians use in today’s landscape to simple stance taking on mythic proportions and becoming what the individuals want to see it as.

The are by Guilherme Balbi continues to look great. With color by Marco Lesko and lettering by Troy Peteri the series looks fantastic with a society that looks both advanced and rundown. You can see the technological advances but there’s a smoothness about it all that’s missing. The design tells so much about the world. The riots and violence too is captured well giving us a grand picture instead of focusing on too little of what’s going on. We get a broad idea which is exactly what we need as readers.

Metal Society #4 is another fantastic issue. The series might on the surface feel like just a “fight comic” but it features a depth that feels like it goes on and on and begging to be explored and debated.

Story: Zack Kaplan Art: Guilherme Balbi
Color: Marco Lesko Letterer: Troy Peteri
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: 8.5

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

---

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle