Much like the game it’s based upon, there’s heavy-handed exploration of the role of androids within society, and their own acceptance of their place within the social pecking order. Of course, here we also learn more about the struggles of idols themselves; androids like Reina are generally preferred to human stars, due to their programmatic behaviour resulting in fewer career-ending scandals.
The story is threaded by Hanazawa, a former child talent turned manager who treats Reina and her adopted daughter Suzune with contempt. As the plot turns back time for medical android Seiji’s story, we’re teased aspects of Hanazawa’s past which give her more depth, and will hopefully bring the story full circle.
While it lacks the deft touch of something like Oshi no Ko, the broad strokes here are interesting, especially if you liked the themes of the main game. The artwork is inconsistent, with the empty environments of dancing gyms and a characterless office particularly disappointing, but there are some beautiful character close-ups. We also really liked the way one scene, showing Reina breaking from the boundaries of her programming, was depicted.
The pacing of the book is unusual, though, with Reina’s storyline taking up over two-thirds and then an abrupt tease of Seiji’s plot at the end. This will, of course, be continued in the second volume, but at just 144 pages this feels awkward and incomplete. Perhaps this would have worked better as a more premium one-shot story?
Still, structurally we like the idea of two intertwining storylines, and we think this was a real strength of the game, too. If you’re compelled by the idea of androids living among humans in regular society, and the trials and tribulations of idols, then this is worth a quick read. It doesn’t really require prior knowledge of the game, but we think you’ll get more out of the story if you enjoyed the PS4 adventure.
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Do you have any interest in reading the Detroit: Become Human manga adaptation? Would you like to see more PlayStation games get spin-off comic books like this? Prove your human in the comments section below.
