I found this creepy, powerful and fascinating -- from the engaging characters to the often off-putting illustrations, it's a really interesting conversation about the limits of morality and individuality; about the ethical considerations of medical choices, and about the hidden parts of our own personalities. A lot to think about, and it feels very much like Molly's story hasn't ended yet. LOved the complicated and powerful relationships and how those bonds continue to evolve.

Advanced Readers' Copy provided by Oni Press. ( )

Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone book that I borrowed from the library.

Story (5/5): This was really weird but really well done. I enjoyed it a lot and it was very different from anything I've read before. For their 45th wedding anniversary Hank and Molly decide to undergo an experimental procedure that will upgrade their body and minds. As you can imagine things don’t go quite as planned, but the experiment is successful….in some ways. This book really makes you question the idea of self-identity and society's expectations of physical form.

Characters (5/5): Hank and Molly were really well done, as were their clones. Additionally there is the head scientist who originally started this research to help his sister who is severely disfigured from being separated from a conjoined twin. All of the characters have a lot of depth and were incredibly intriguing.

Setting (4/5): Most of this book is set either at Hank and Molly’s house or at the research facility they go to for the “upgrade”.

Writing/Drawing Style (5/5): Both the iIllustration and story were easy to follow, ideas were very creative. This story touches on a lot of what it means to be human and an individual but in a very sci-fi way. The drawings are a bit disturbing at times but very well done. I really enjoyed this as a whole.

My Summary (5/5): Overall I ended up really enjoying this. The whole thing is just so different and weird from anything I’ve read previously that I found it fascinating. This is not a story I will forget anytime soon and I find myself thinking about it a lot. I loved how this takes a very sci-fi idea but brings it down to the basics of what it means to be a human and an individual. Recommended! ( )

Ornate, dense art supports complex SF story required second reading to understand—could have been twice as long.

After 45 years, Black and Hispanic couple buy experimental consciousness transfer into younger clones. Nothing goes to plan, resulting in weakened elderly and disabled young selves interacting in tragic manner. Critiques science-for-profit. ( )

sitting easily in the space between graphic novel, sci-fi exploration, monster story, and the philosophy of identity (examining what it means to be a particular individual in a particular time as well as the broader what-does-it-mean-to-be-human question), this is one of the best books i've read in the last year, maybe the last five years. there are elements of mary shelley's frankenstein as well as the twilight zone episode "eye of the beholder", the classic dr jekyll & mr hyde motif, and implications of "flowers for algernon" -- but is also a love story at its heart, full of flawed and very human tragic characters. ultimately "upgrade soul" transcends categories and its own influences beautifully and powerfully. highly recommended. ( )

Note: I received an Advance Reading Copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.

I've been trying to read more graphic novels/comics lately, because I know they contain some great stories. I just have a hard time focussing on both image and text and tend to forget the images after a while. But I keep trying, and some works make it really easy. *Upgrade Soul* by Ezra Clayton Daniels (story and art) is one of those works.

Hank and Molly Nonnar, a writer and a scientist support scientific research. When they are approached with the opportunity to back a project and to be test-subjects themselves, they are intrigued. The project promises rejuvenation with the added benefit of fixing all the defects life has thrown at them over time such as arthritis and diabetes. However, something goes wrong during the procedure, and they weren't told the whole story, which leaves them weak and old, with clones that are superior in every way except physical appearance. That leaves them and the scientists to figure out how to continue, who they are and what they want for the future.

I was initially drawn to this book because of the science fiction element in the story of a longevity experiment. But what grabbed me was the humanity, the emotional consequences of what has happened and the solutions for the future. I don't want to give anything away, but all I can say, read this. It is touching, it is great, it shows human character (both good and bad, but most importantly, real). Five out of five stars. ( )