Inks by Lauren Knight
Colours by Sofie Dodgson
Published by Image Comics
WARNING: This article may contain story spoilers. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Grabbed this one on a whim because of the title. Having finally sat down to read it though, the title makes perfect sense. This story takes place on an island. An island that is essentially a junkyard of people who are no longer wanted by society. In this case, it's women who are no longer fertile. I mean it's not that far fetched. Society for years has looked at infertile women as less than human. Hell, fertile women are viewed as less than human birthing machines by many still today. I mean, with Row vs Wade overturned, the US government legally said "you're potential to make new life is more important than your life". I'm sitting here having Handmaid's Tale flashbacks.
Anyway our story starts with Jay, a woman in her 30s who is left on the island and immediately attacked by elderly women. She luckily however, is saved by a large, strong woman and thus the story truly begins to unveil itself to the reader.
Going to say right now that I really enjoy the style of the art in this book. I'm wholly unfamiliar with everyone involved in this book. After a quick search of social media I found that Lauren Knight previously had done some beautiful work for the CHOSEN ONES series of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Truth be told her style reminds me somewhat of Vanesa Del Rey in character design, although her actual illustrations are much more minimalist in comparison. I highly suggest following her on Instagram. I have included some social media links below. Writer Chrissy Williams has previously been awarded Telegraph Best Books of The Year for her book BEAR.
This is an interesting story concept and pretty timely considering the climate of the United States right now. I really enjoy seeing senior women portrayed as formidable and self sufficient. Our society always portrays seniors as invalids. Not to mention that television and film have a long history of limiting the kind of roles that women of a certain age, usually 30, can have. I should say also that it's not JUST senior women are sent to this island. It's women who are no longer fertile, but this just happens to be mostly senior women, or near senior.
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