Graphic Novel Reviews: The Resistance

The Black Death… Polio… Spanish Flu… Ebola… H1N1… COVID-19…

Every time we are faced with a pandemic in human history, we unite and fight back, taking precautions, looking for a cure, uniting together to save the human race. THE RESISTANCE continues this story, but puts a twist on it that makes it very relatable, especially at this point in history (as I write this review with my mask on, doing my part to prevent the spread of COVID-19).

XV1N1 attacks. A retrovirus that causes your body to fight against itself. 100% contagious, 95% fatal, causing one’s insides to liquify and shutdown. Over two months, “The Big Death” takes 400 million people, then one day suddenly stops, as if someone had hit a lightswitch. While people rejoice everywhere, the questions of “where did this come from?” and “how did it stop?” still need to be answered.

There is a remnant of the population though… 5% of people would have survived the virus if it had not stopped, as many as 20 million people. Those people now have superpowers… and when real life heroes and villains can cause chaos and destruction… what’s to stop them from banding together and forming a “Resistance”?

J Michael Straczynski (BABYLON 5, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE)  presents a world not too far off from what is going on right now. The political and societal implications presented in this book should make us question what sorts of things are going on behind the scenes. I love a graphic novel that makes you think, long after you have finished reading it. Really looking forward to the next chapter in the saga.

Strong showing, highly recommended. Ages 13+.