Comic review: Alex + Ada #10- Clarifying what it is that makes us human

Creators: Jonathan Luna, Sarah Vaughn
Publisher: Image comics
Released: 12th November 2014



I’ve always interpreted the ‘androids’ in Alex + Ada to be a commentary on the state of human moral consciousness, and whether or not we are living in accordance with universal moral laws.

Put simply, some of the humans in this story are androids, and some of the androids are humans. The difference is actions, not physical form. Again, put simply, if you do what is morally right you are a human, and if you do what is morally wrong then you an android.

The idea is further clarified in issue #10 of Alex + Ada where a human (Teji) with an android leg acts in accordance with moral law, helping a vulnerable and distressed Ada (technically an android, but morally a human). The futuristic television in this book is telling people to act outside of moral law, but Teji ignores the media disinformation and instead acts in accordance with moral law. A conscious, sentient life form is in trouble, and he helps her. This is what you are supposed to do, no matter what the television is saying.

The television is not meant to inform you on matters of moral law. The role of mainstream television in modern society is to distract, pacify, lie, and control the enslaved masses. It is indifferent to issues of morality, but the propaganda emanating from it is strong. Teji manages to break free from that media propaganda and acts in accordance with moral law. Moral law is the only law, not the law of a corrupt and wicked top down control system, no matter what the television is telling you.

Teji is rewarded in the story by having his android leg replaced with a human flesh and blood version. The part android has become fully human again, not because he is getting a new leg, but because he has ignored the mainstream programming and acted in accordance with moral law.

Writers Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn are making their point very clear here. Act in accordance with moral law and you are human, go against moral law and you are an android. This isn’t just a sci-fi story about the future; it’s a story about how moral law works in the real world today.

Follow orders, obey the mainstream programming and do what is morally wrong and you are voluntarily giving away what makes you a human being. That is what is being said here, and that is why Alex + Ada is a very important comic.

Yes, it’s slow paced, yes it’s not action packed, yes the art is very linear, but that’s the whole point. The art is static, and the humans often appear motionless, robotic even, because what is being explored here is what makes us truly human. It’s morality, that’s what makes us humans, and to not act with morality as the guiding light in our lives rids us of this humanity.

Without strong moral principles we become cannon fodder for the control systems of the world, the control systems that seek to diminish our humanity and to turn us into order following androids in order to control, and enslave us. That is why morality is so important. It is what makes us human beings. Without it we are marching uniforms, marching once again to another war that enriches the rich, and kills the poor.

As for the narrative of this issue, it progresses. The protagonist’s personal relationship is taken to a natural new level and a new threat to their happiness is established. It really is a fantastic comic book. It has an enthralling narrative, empathic characters that you can really relate to, and that essential moral underpinning as the solid backbone to the narrative.

What else do you need to know? You don’t need action scenes, muscles and cleavage to tell a good story. You don’t need a toy box full of Team America World Police action heroes. You don’t need subscriber edition variant covers, and you certainly don’t need celebrity guest writers (CM Punk) to sell your books. All you need is a good story, likeable characters and a strong moral underpinning.

That’s what you get in Alex + Ada, a book with the flash and gimmicks taken out, and with writers who have something to say about human morality. This book is not Spiderman or the Avengers, or Batman or Wolverine in space or whatever gimmicks the big two dinosaurs are relying on this month. Alex + Ada is that strange beast, a rare comic book that has something to say. That shouldn’t be the exception to the norm, but sadly, it is. Buy it, support it, and let’s get more of these good comic books out there.

If you keep buying mediocre then they’ll keep putting out mediocre. Like everything in life, it’s all down to us. The world will not change, unless we force it to. It works the same in comic books as it does in politics. You keep buying what they are selling and they’ll keep on selling it to you. Why wouldn’t they? So put down that mediocre crossover event book. You know it’s not going to be very good, deep down you know, and instead of feeding the machine of mediocrity take a punt on something different. Alex + Ada would be a great place to start, so if you haven’t already had the pleasure, take a chance on it. You’ll love it, I do.

Rating: 10/10