Review by Ian Keogh
At a time when the development of artificial intelligence is causing considerable concern in the real world, when better to see how Ryan Parrott considers that might play out in the future? Volition occurs a little more than a century ahead and starts with the supposition that instead of the single hive mind predicted to emerge, the robots of the 22nd century are individual. They also have problems, primarily a virus that can be transmitted and gradually causes the decay of identity, much like dementia in humans. The best hope of dealing with it lies with Elizabeth Traymor, the person who generated artificial intelligence, but no-one’s seen her for decades.
The central character is Amber, whose ‘birth’ we see on the opening page. She’s more human looking than now obsolete older robots, but before the first chapter ends she’s been caught up in a desperate situation at the hospital where she works.
From the opening page Omar Francia’s rich three dimensional art gives Volition major appeal. His designs for assorted non-humanoid robots are complex and detailed, and those designs enable them to show emotions when needed. Visual variety is supplied by Amber allying herself with Hale, a powerful robot deactivated and discarded after a criminal career, and Francia’s layouts emphasise the difference between old model and new, while they’re placed in fully rendered environments.
Unfortunately Francia only draws half of Volition. Had Marco Itri been on board from the start his would have been perfectly acceptable art, but his simpler manga influenced cartooning has nowhere near the impact of Francia. Disappointingly, he also objectifies Amber, increasing the size of her robot breasts massively.
Parrott keeps the mystery going throughout, the odd couple of Amber and Hale convinced the virus solution lies with locating the missing Traynor. At the same time two police detectives are tracking her, and so is an assassin. The revelations all make sense when they’re dropped, but Volition ends as if set-up for a sequel rather than providing a complete story, which is a shame.
Despite the flaws, Francia drawing 50% goes a long way, and Parrott maintains a page-turning pace, so Volition is worth your time, just not as good as it might have been.
