Are you interested in comics and graphic novels but unsure where to start? If you’re a fan of progressive dystopian stories and romantic subplots, I have found you the perfect graphic novel! Heart Attack from Image Comics is a powerhouse of supernatural abilities, secret government agendas, and grassroots revolutions. There’s also female friendships, an enemies-to-lovers situationship, and a media war to win.
Title: Heart Attack
Publisher: Image Comics
Author: Shawn Kittelsen
Illustrator: Eric Zawadzki
Genre: Dystopian
Format: Graphic Novel
Release Date: Oct. 3, 2023
Page Count: 293 pages
Rating: M
Synopsis:
“10/10…Come for the immersive visual storytelling, stay for a take on dystopia that puts romance and humanity at its center” – Comics Bookcase
Gene therapy has saved Americans from disease—only to give birth to Variants: people with powers so unique, the government denies their human rights.
But a new rebellion begins when Charlie North and Jill Kearney learn their instant attraction unlocks powers of mass destruction and forces them to question how far they should go to topple the system!
Acclaimed writer Shawn Kittelsen (Injustice 2, Mortal Kombat 11) and artist Eric Zawadzki present a new graphic novel collecting Heart Attack #1-6 and featuring six all-new chapters concluding their epic story.
Review:
At the center of Heart Attack is a walled city separating out people who were unfortunate enough to be born with a particular variant gene. There’s Jill, a Variant, who is doing her best to win a media war, start a grassroots rebellion, and fight against a government that keeps her contained. There’s also Charlie, another Variant, who keeps his secrets close. When Jill and Charlie meet and touch, their variant genes spark in ways they never have before, making them a powerful force that the government wasn’t expecting.
I loved how fresh, modern, and youthful this story felt. I loved the mix of dystopia and supernatural, which I didn’t expect. Honestly, this is such a good direction for the dystopian genre. Jill, Charlie, and their friends all felt realistic and like people I could actually encounter. Jill, especially, was just the best.
Although this is an M-rated comic/graphic novel with some spicy scenes, the setting and writing scream young adult or new adult. I highly recommend it for adult readers of young adult and new adult dystopian fiction and romantasy who are interested in comics and graphic novels.
Art: The art was absolutely gorgeous. With colors that felt both grunge and supernatural, the artist perfectly captured the mood and feel of this comic. I also adored the character designs. These are emotional characters, and I loved how expressive their faces were, especially Jill’s. Long live expressive and emotional women – inside and out of comics.
Final Thoughts: Heart Attack felt fresh, young, progressive, and modern. This is a great example of what’s next for the dystopian genre. The romance here is a bit heavy-handed, but it works. I recommend this for those who enjoy modern dystopian fiction, urban fantasy, and new adult romantic fantasy.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Thanks to Image Comics for a review copy of this book! All art assets belong to them. All the above thoughts are my own.
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