Alex + Ada #4 Review

As a long-time comics reader, I’m always glad when I come across a story that talks about what’s happening today.

Boy, does this book ever do that!

ALEX + ADA #4
Writers: Sarah Vaughn, Jonathan Luna
Art: Jonathan Luna
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Previously in ALEX + ADA: “Ada is an amazing piece of technology, but Alex realizes she’s missing something. He goes in search of it and finds out he’s not the only one unhappy with the way things are.”

COULD THIS COMIC BE TIMED ANY BETTER?

As I’m writing this review, I have my iPod, iPhone and iPad in front of me. I spend most of my time, when I’m interacting with someone, using one of the latter two devices. Because I’m a single guy, this is how I spend most of my time when I’m wanting to communicate.

Before my mother passed, the rest of the family tried to get her to use one of those signaling devices that calls for help when she would need it. She never would agree to getting one because she could have really used it, sadly.

All this shows how much technology has taken hold of our lives. It makes sense that someone would explore just what impact we’re likely to see in the very near future.

This book focuses on Alex, another single guy, who is given the gift of an X5, a “realistic android,” by a relative who has taken a very distinct liking to her male android. At first, Alex is unhappy with Ada, as she’s called, but as the series has progressed, he’s started to take a liking to her. After all, she does whatever he says he wants! Who wouldn’t like that! (And this is NOT an x-rated story at all, so get those thoughts out of your head this minute!)

Alex is a compelling character because he wants Ada to be more than just an obedient robot. He sets out to make change happen, but will it be what he’ll want in the end?

I also enjoyed the “chat” room Alex goes to for more information about X5s. I’d enjoy visiting a room like that!

HOW DOES THE BOOK TELL THE STORY?

What’s great about the scripting is that we see progression in the characters – well, at least the living ones so far. When Alex shows Ada to his friends, they’re not sure what to make of her. Several think she’s a bad idea, but the others encourage Alex to keep her.

The story and scripting by Sarah Vaughn and Jonathan Luna is very realistic and “human,” interestingly enough. They help us relate to both Alex and Ada as the series progresses, and in this issue, something very significant takes place. Let’s just say that the result is likely not what Alex wanted.

Mr. Luna and his brother Joshua have become favorites of mine when it comes to adding variety to my reading diet. They’ve created some especially unique comics, including Girls, The Sword and Ultra, to name a few.

One of the things that makes their work so terrific, in my opinion, is their ability to script women characters, even if they aren’t human! Until this series, my favorite was The Sword, about a girl who was disabled. However, when she touched a certain sword, she gained not only the ability to walk like someone who hadn’t been injured as she had, but she gained extranormal powers. Of course, there was a fascinating story connected to the sword, so it had me gripped until the very last panel.

Not only that, but Jonathan can draw the female figure quite well, so his art is perfect for this comic.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS THOUGHTFUL COMIC!

Remember that at least half the marriages in the U.S. end in divorce. If each of us could find someone who could meet our every need, would we want that? Or would we get bored by that after a while? Not only that, but if Ada develops a will of her own, will she actually want to stay with Alex?

These are just some of the intriguing questions Alex + Ada asks. If I know this creative team at all, we’ll get answers, but they may not be the ones we’re expecting!

If you haven’t read Alex + Ada yet, see if you can pick up the previous three issues at your local comics shop. If you can’t find them that way, I encourage you to purchase the digital versions. Now, wouldn’t it be perfectly appropriate to read this story on your iPad?