Cyberpunk manga with a superhero twist
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Livewires is not the usual Marvel title. Adam Warren's work is more inspired by William Gibson and Ghost in The Shell than the Avengers, although there is a resemblance. The story is about a group of mecha/robots that pass for human and are used to steal industrial and military secrets. Filled with technology that could pass for superpowers, because they're not human, they're expendable and able to die.
The story starts when a young woman finds herself dragged into the livewires' world, only to discover that she's a robot just like them. Wacky sci-fi adventure ensues, with high octane, big budget action that ends in a melancholy but hopeful fashion with lots of humour and geeky concepts along the way.
The art uses manga style character design and the characters are all highly likeable. You'll end up with your own favourite as each character is very different (mine is Gothic Lolita) and well drawn.
The collection is digest size, which means it is the same size as most manga collections, pocket-sized, and so slightly smaller than a US comic. Which is good and bad, because it means the art doesn't get as much chance to breathe (and it is very good art) but good because it's easy to store and carry around.
Links to the Marvel Universe are minimal, a cameo by Nick Fury early on is about it. You don't need to know much about the world the Livewires operate in as it's all explained as it goes on.
This is a great little story and I think it deserves a larger audience.
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United Kingdom | 
Canada