TALES FROM THE INTERFACE #4, from Emmanuel Filteau on Kickstarter, finds Gauthier getting used to the good life as a new employee of TC, but Clara realizes the Interface is robbing humanity of its legacy.
The Details
- Written by: Emmanuel Filteau
- Art by: Emmanuel Filteau
- Colors by: Emmanuel Filteau
- Letters by: Emmanuel Filteau
- Cover art by: Emmanuel Filteau
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover price: $4.50 USD
- Release date: June 2023 (estimated)
Is It Good?
The more this series progresses, the more it takes on a shape and form similar to Fahrenheit 451. TALES FROM THE INTERFACE #4 makes the similarity between this series and the classic book more apparent with a clever twist.
When last we left Clara and Gauthier, Clara made friends in the Archive. Her eyes were opened to what Earth was like before the Apocalypse. Now, Gauthier is lured by the promises of perks when he accepts a job with TC, not realizing his job offer is a ploy to get TC Security closer to Clara to root out and destroy the Archive.
Set in an indeterminate future where the masses are pacified by a virtual reality game run by TC, Emmanuel Filteau’s script takes on layers of meaning when compared to our own world of sound bites, Artificial Intelligence, deep fakes, and the disconnect from reality. Clara’s growing awareness is inspiring and heartbreaking as she grapples with the realization that the populace is kept starved and docile through the games. Her journey from discovery to action is the stuff that would make any hero proud.
The mild down point of this issue is the lack of structure in this comic as a complete chapter. We noted the same criticism in the previous reviews of this series. Filteau simply starts in the middle of a scene and ends in the middle of the scene without regard to how much time passed between issues. This is an example of a creator “writing for the trade” with extreme prejudice, so if you don’t start with issue #1, you’ll be completely lost.
How’s the art? It’s a great fit for the material. There’s a distinctly Euro-trash, cyberpunk vibe to Filteau’s style that matches the dystopian underground aesthetic of the story. It’s a dirty, rundown future, and Filteau brings the filth to life.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our TALES FROM THE INTERFACE #3 review to find out what Clara discovered in the Archive.
We begin with Gauthier telling Clara about his job offer to join TC’s game team. The job comes with new living conditions, better food, and more access. Clara believes the offer is fishy, but the new apartment is too good to pass up.
When Gauthier begins his new job, the VR setup leaves him mentally mesmerized by the game for days at a time. Clara wasn’t sure about the job, but now, she believes the job will kill Gauthier. Later, Clara makes contact with Che and the folks at the Archive. Inspired by the books and paintings, Clara determines she must take action to return knowledge to the people.
We conclude the issue with graffiti, unappreciated gifts, and goodbyes.
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Final Thoughts
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TALES FROM THE INTERFACE #4 takes Clara’s discovery of the Archive and puts her on a proper hero’s journey to bring the truth to the masses. Clara’s journey is as inspiring as it is heartbreaking, and Filteau’s art fits the setting perfectly. That said, Filteau’s storytelling style is ill-suited to acquiring new readers, so start at issue #1, or you’ll be completely lost.
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