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

The training begins in Metal Society #3. After Rosa has accepted WOL-421313’s challenge which has both fighters beginning to prepare for their fight. They also each get a sense of the importance and impact of the fight which is far different for each. Rosa is fighting for all of humanity to show they should have a seat at the table. WOL is tempted with wealth and upgrades, success dangling in front of it.

Metal Society #3 continues the intriguing series that works on so many levels. Humanity is now a slave caste to robots who genetically engineer them to help build and clean. Rosa is fighting for them, but it’s that fighting aspect that’s intriguing. The chances of her winning are low and there’s debate if fighting is the best course of action. Writer Zack Kaplan delivers an interesting philosophical debate in this issue about human nature and how we fight from the moment we’re born. We fight to survive, to make gains, in pretty much all we do. And, we’ve fought for freedom and progress. Rosa encapsulates that all and in Kaplan’s writing has the reader debate what is in our innate nature.

With WOL, Kaplan takes another route showing the corruption of material. The robot is tempted with upgrades, not just in its own form but also living arrangements and who it may live with. This isn’t so much a fight to prove anything now, it’s a fight for self improvement and the individual. The two fighters together create an interesting dynamic with underlying motivations that are opposites in many ways.

The art by Guilherme Balbi is great. Joined by colorist Marco Lesko and letterer Troy Peteri each robot and human is full of personality. The designs for everyone is unique and tells a story about who they are and their roll in society. What’s also interesting is the issue is the “montage” training in some ways. We get conferences in between training sessions for both. While I’m sure there’s more the visuals feel like they play into that narrative structure we see in these types of stories.

Metal Society #3 is another great entry in the series. It entertains with a futuristic take on MMA but also has an underlying aspect to it that explores so many themes and concepts. It’s a comic that can be enjoyed on multiple levels. For those that enjoy “sports” comics, this is one that’s not to be missed.

Story: Zack Kaplan Art: Guilherme Balbi
Color: Marco Lesko Letterer: Troy Peteri
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.4 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – TFAW – comiXology/Kindle