Made in Korea
(Made in Korea #1-6)
by Jeremy Holt, George Schall (artist)
4 Stars
In a world where children don't seem to exist, proxy children which are basically artificial robot children have become more popular. Jesse is a Korean nine year old proxy who is adopted by a couple in America. Socially awkward but with a super computer for a brain Jesse longs for connection with those around them. The kids at school aren't as accepting of their creation as the multitude of parents who have started adopting proxy's when they can't have children. They fall into the wrong crowd with two boys who seem to accept them, and this may all be Jesse's undoing.
The themes of violence, gender identity, and wanting to fit in permeate through the book. Dual narratives are being told. One following Jesse and their journey being the first self aware AI in a proxy, being able to learn and question the world around them instead of following programming. The other is Jesse's creator, a man desperate to get his form of AI out in the world and to eventually get Jesse back. But in the end family is the most important and sometimes those who created you aren't family. I would highly recommend this graphic novel to anyone who wants a good sci-fi story about a not so distant future.