In a near future where automation has caused mass unemployment, programmers Kenji and Aurora’s careers seemed safe. But when they are suddenly fired, the couple hatches a desperate plan: assemble the perfect bank-heist crew out of androids they programmed. The ensuing crime spree goes perfectly… until betrayal and sentience emerge in equally devastating turns! Silicon Bandits #1 captures the current zeitgeist when it comes to technology and AI.
Written by Jason Starr, Silicon Bandits #1 serves as a warning to all who read while also setting up a traditional heist story. Starr takes us to the future where numerous World Wars have shaped the world and corporations have carved up what’s left. Kenji and Aurora live in New Phoenix where they work designing new androids, the latest will possibly reshape the world and make their boss all the more richer. It also makes them unemployed as their boss sees them as redundant and the further work they can do can be done by the artificial intelligence they’ve just unleashed.
Starr dives into the current fears and paranoia over artificial intelligence, that its adoption and use will lead to mass unemployment. The trickles of that has already begun, making Silicon Bandits #1 not so much a warning but the current path taken to extreme. There’s teases of basic income and more time to pursue things due to the androids but overall, readers will get a sense that it has mostly just lined the pockets of their boss further and hasn’t made the lives of all any more fulfilling. While real solid uses, such as waging war and entering situations a normal person can’t, are raised, overall, the technology comes off as cold and advances that really only benefit those already in power.
From there, Starr cooks up the start of a tale of revenge as well as another plot point that should be interesting to see how it’s folded into the main event.
The art by Dalibor Talajic is solid. With color by Stjepan Bartolic and lettering by Shawn Lee, the comic’s look delivers a future that looks lived in. There’s fancy technology and the dress and style of individuals looks “futuristic,” but overall the world isn’t a massive departure from today. But, it still looks like it could be the future with a style that’s different and worn. Small choices work as well such as the translucent skin of the androids making things just a bit unnerving overall.
Silicon Bandits #1 is a solid debut taking a traditional heist story and adding in some twists in futuristic tech. Underneath that, the story is a cautionary tale of the future tech bros want to bring, an android infused society where they profit, not caring for those impacted. Thankfully, the team cooks up a debut that entertains while also serving as a warning.
Story: Jason Starr Art: Dalibor Talajic
Color: Stjepan Bartolic Letterer: Shawn Lee
Story: 8.4 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.4 Recommendation: Buy
Magma Comix provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics
