Van Jensen, Jesse Lonergan. Idea & Design Works, (176p) ISBN: 9781684059980. Graphic Novel, read 29/07/25, eBook ★★★★☆

Arca

This was another graphic novel I acquired on a recent Humble Bundle package.

Arca sees us aboard a generation ship travelling from a failing Earth to a distant Eden, but it is only a generation ship for the Settlers (child slaves under the age of 18), whereas the Citizens (some of Earth’s super rich) and Helpers (security guards) are effectively immortal due to genetic manipulation.

Settlers work tirelessly for the Citizens, facilitating the lifestyle they were used to on a diminishing Earth ravaged by environmental and societal problems.

They do this with the promise of ‘Graduation’ and becoming a citizen…

Effie (Persephone) is taught to read by a Citizen against all the rules and becomes very suspicious and the story progresses from there.

This was a smooth read from start to finish taking in a lot of dystopian science fiction tropes but using them well and combined together to make a really interesting read.

The artwork uses cool pastel shades for the most part and is really integral to the storytelling throughout.

If there’s anything to take from this it is reading is power.

Got to say wasn’t that surprised by the ending but it is a twist that has been used before in a lot of stories.