AWA Studios has announced a new series by Mark Russell and Laci called Death Ratio’d. The dark satire is about a world where social media rules life and death. Sounds rad! The first issue drops in comic shops on May 29th.
“DEATH RATIO’D is about a future where social media has replaced the government and the self-reinforcing norms that follow,” said creator and writer Mark Russell. “But, in a broader sense, it’s about a man waking up from a coma to find himself stepping into a technological landscape he doesn’t quite understand, which is how I believe most of us feel these days.”
So what’s Death Ratio’d about?
When DEATH RATIO’D protagonist Arnold awakes from a coma twenty years into the future, he discovers that society is now ruled by social media conventions. Enough “likes” and “upvotes” can unlock fame and fortune but watch out, because enough “thumbs down” clicks, and you’re done when the collar around your neck explodes. Confused and running on his last “like,” Arnold must now navigate a world in which the slightest misstep can have fatal consequences.
“Mark Russell is one of the most canny satirical writers of our time,” said Axel Alonso, Chief Executive Officer of AWA. “As his previous AWA series – RUMPUS ROOM and the award-winning NOT ALL ROBOTS – prove, Mark is a master at crafting gut-busting, genre-bending stories that hold a funhouse mirror up to the world we live in. DEATH RATIO’D can easily be read in one sitting, but I’m confident readers will revisit it again and again to find nuances in this densely layered cautionary tale by Mark and the immensely talented artist, Laci.”
Check out a preview below!
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 21, 2024 – “In the act of filtering out the reality around us, we create enormous blindspots, and in the end, it’s what you don’t see that hurts you.” Eisner and Ringo Award-winning writer Mark Russell (NOT ALL ROBOTS, RUMPUS ROOM) returns to Artists, Writers & Artisans (AWA) with DEATH RATIO’D, an all-new futuristic dark satire where social media rules life and death. One too many dislikes…and you’re dead! This horror comedy from Russell and fan-favorite artist Laci (TROJAN, SHERLOCK HOLMES) is a cautionary tale about systems designed to control expression and behavior, exploring how society organizes itself when ratings affect your day-to-day life.
As one of the comic book industry’s foremost satirists, Russell is an expert at shining a light on contemporary society through the satirical mirror of genre tales. Teaming up with visionary artist Laci, the pair have created a world in DEATH RATIO’D where your online reputation bleeds into real life with the highest possible stakes. This one-shot format with a fast-paced tale showcasing humor, horror, and the repercussions of nonexistent humanity, offers readers a fresh look at how today’s social practices can be pushed to the extreme and do anything but bring the world closer together. The story uniquely showcases the dark depths human beings are capable of reaching when algorithms gain the upper hand.
“DEATH RATIO’D is about a future where social media has replaced the government and the self-reinforcing norms that follow,” said creator and writer Mark Russell. “But, in a broader sense, it’s about a man waking up from a coma to find himself stepping into a technological landscape he doesn’t quite understand, which is how I believe most of us feel these days.”
When DEATH RATIO’D protagonist Arnold awakes from a coma twenty years into the future, he discovers that society is now ruled by social media conventions. Enough “likes” and “upvotes” can unlock fame and fortune but watch out, because enough “thumbs down” clicks, and you’re done when the collar around your neck explodes. Confused and running on his last “like,” Arnold must now navigate a world in which the slightest misstep can have fatal consequences.
“Mark Russell is one of the most canny satirical writers of our time,” said Axel Alonso, Chief Executive Officer of AWA. “As his previous AWA series – RUMPUS ROOM and the award-winning NOT ALL ROBOTS – prove, Mark is a master at crafting gut-busting, genre-bending stories that hold a funhouse mirror up to the world we live in. DEATH RATIO’D can easily be read in one sitting, but I’m confident readers will revisit it again and again to find nuances in this densely layered cautionary tale by Mark and the immensely talented artist, Laci.”
AWA’s DEATH RATIO’D is written and created by Mark Russell with artwork by Laci; covers by Rahzzah (NOT ALL ROBOTS, STAR TREK) and Chris Ferguson (BLACK TAPE); colors by Marco Lesko (NEW THINK, DOCTOR WHO); and letters by Sal Cipriano (TROJAN, THE BATMAN WHO LAUGHS). The one-shot will be available Wednesday, May 29, 2024, both digitally and in stores wherever comic books are sold. For more information on DEATH RATIO’D and other projects, visit AWA Studios on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and AWAStudios.com.
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