Graphic Novels Reviews: Bylines in Blood

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Title: Bylines in Blood

Published by: Aftershock

Written by: Erica Schultz and Van Jensen

Illustrated by: Aneke

ISBN: 9781956731057

Ages: 18+

Everyone lies — especially after a murder.

Satya is a disillusioned reporter-turned-private-investigator when challenged to solve the murder of her former friend’s death. After attempting to report on the Mayor’s corruption, Denzin is found dead on the street. Enraged, Satya plunges down the rabbit hole of politics, surveillance, and technology.

Bylines in Blood is set in an alternative future. Readers can recognize the contemporary issues of privacy and surveillance that have shaped this dystopia. The city has been torn apart after a terrible pandemic. A cult entices citizens to use technology to surveil and record every moment of the day. There is little privacy and almost no reality printed in the papers.

Satya’s personality is all sharp elbow jabs and blunt, foul-mouthed cynicism. When she puts her mind to the task, there is no stopping her. Readers may not empathize with her as she can be abrasive, but they will cheer for her when she is walloping on a villain.

This graphic novel is best for mature audiences because of foul language, gore, nudity, suggestive themes, and violence. The plot will be familiar to superhero, action, and mystery fans. The action escalates quickly. Satya herself did not realize her passion for the investigation and how many friends and family as well as how much of her own reputation she had to risk.The main villain is revealed a James Bond-esque style. Overall, Bylines in Blood reaches for a Neo-noir mystery and achieves the tone very well.

The color palette is reminiscent of Dark Horse’s The Sandman with the use of deep black and violently bright yellow. The neon colors provide the futuristic vibe. Yellow is Satya’s color so readers can easy track her throughout the mystery and the scenes.

A complete story in four chapters, Bylines in Blood ends with the possibility for future investigations. the graphic novel is gently thought-provoking but mostly action and is sprinkled with quotes from philosophers like Plato regarding the definition of truth and how people tolerate truth. The extras at the end are a treat for readers.

Recommended for fans of graphic novels such as Blade Runner 2019 and Batman: Killing the Joke and movies such as Blumhouse’s The Invisible Man, The Batman (2022), and Minority Report.

Angela Dabrowski
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