Reviews

Square Eyes by Luke Jones, Anna Mill

Only show reviews with written explanations

wendleness's review

adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The story explores ideas around identity, reality, memory, and freedom. As the back of the book itself says: In a city built on digital illusion, who really holds the power? In some ways these concepts are thrown at the reader so obviously and clearly, but it’s also open enough that the reader needs to do some work themself to put more subtle pieces together and consider what life in a world like this would genuinely be like (spoiler: it’s not good).

While the story and concepts are interesting, it is truly the art that brings them to life. It’s outstanding. The level of detail, use of colour, the overlaying of reality with the digital world, the digital interfaces, the use of negative space. Every page, every frame, is an entire piece of art worthy of being framed and hung. I took my time reading this book in order to fully soak up the art and I never got tired of looking at the pages.

A slightly longer review can be found on my book blog: Marvel at Words.

disasterfemme's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

a beautiful comic! I loved the illustrations and the ways true reality/augmented reality are depicted. A great thriller that very much portrays a very near future possible cyberpunk reality!

I didn't find the last third as impactful as the beginning, started to find it a bit hard to follow the intrigue and characterization.
also it is a bit hard to read a lot of the text - reading during the day or outside is recommended (:

saymore's review against another edition

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5.0

Wow. This is some Black Mirror+ quality tech dystopia. Nuanced commentary; abstract yet gripping scenes; scope ranging from giant and overwhelming to little tactile details; illustrations that interact imaginatively with the page — this is the graphic novel at its peak.

Saying that, I would also love to see this made into a short film or movie. I'm not talking blockbuster — I'm talking an innovative director, who loved and understood the novel, playing with its visceral, tactile visuals and abstract form. Probably won't happen but I'm already imagining it, I guess because the graphic novel is done so well that it feels like I just watched/experienced it.