Dandelion

by | Jul 9, 2024

In comics, there are numerous examples of marginalized groups that are hidden away beneath the Earth’s surface (the Morlocks of Uncanny X-Men and the Moloids of Fantastic Four come to mind), but Sabir Pirzada flips this idea by presenting a world wherein immigrants, displaced workers, and other “Exiles” are relegated to the sky. Told across a series of short, loosely connected stories featuring different artists, Dandelion gives us a glimpse into a near future in which the skies are full of floating, habitable pods. Known as Dandelions, these pods are occupied by people who have renounced citizenship of the surface world in exchange for the safety and security of a new home in the sky. The lower class is literally hovering high above the rich and powerful, but we soon discover that many of the familiar struggles still remain.

Against the backdrop of an Earth ravaged by global warming and dwindling resources, the comic kicks off with the story of a couple making the painful decision to leave behind their life on Earth to live in a Dandelion, but goes on to tell tales that explore the ways these pods impact relationships, mental health, and humanity’s connection to nature and tradition. While each story touches on a different aspect of life in the age of Dandelions, these seemingly disparate narratives are united by mentions of the mysterious Jen Nakamuto, the supposed inventor of the Dandelions.

Much like its sci-fi anthology predecessors such as The Twilight Zone and Black Mirror, Dandelion takes a simple high concept and explores it in ways that raise questions about current-day concerns. Themes of class warfare, the destruction of the environment, the displacement of humans by technology, and the sacrifices we make to have comfort and stability under a Capitalist system linger throughout. However, Pirzada keeps things grounded and explores these issues through the lens of actual human beings who are affected by them. Across the various chapters, we see characters who are faced with loneliness, regret, and frustration as a result of technological advances that make it possible to sequester unwanted citizens to the sky.

Pirzada mostly keeps the narrative going at a quick pace, allowing his artists to do much of the storytelling legwork, and never really gives the comic a chance to get too heavy or preachy, despite the extremely weighty themes. While not a dealbreaker, the use of different artists for each story means that occasionally, the transition from one tale to the next feels slightly jarring, and not every artist brings the same level of clarity and readability. Highlights include the two sections drawn by Martín Morazzo, who is no stranger to ambitious comics that ask big, uncomfortable questions, as evidenced by his work on Ice Cream Man. His work, which is wisely chosen for the opening chapter, demonstrates legible linework that evokes the works of artists like Steve Dillon or Frank Quitely, and brings a sense of accessibility that shouldn’t scare away new comic readers.

It’s also worth noting the degree that Pirzada normalizes diversity within the different stories of Dandelion. LGBTQIA+ characters, couples of different skin colors, and various forms of disability are on full display, such that they are merely an accepted part of everyday life. Although Pirzada and the artists are more explicit in the questions they raise about technology and social class than, say, racial and gender politics, they nonetheless make an important statement that the world is meant to be populated by a diverse group of people.

Dandelion is suggested for readers 16 and up, perhaps due to a few instances of profanity, blood, and gore, but I think the comprehensible art style, social awareness, and clever concept could also speak to adventurous sci-fi fans who are slightly younger. As a well-paced, self-contained book that highlights major issues of today, Dandelion is great for readers of sci-fi anthologies (or sci-fi in general) who like their speculative fiction focused on the human condition. Fans of Tales from the Loop, Snowpiercer, or the previously mentioned Black Mirror would feel right at home.

Dandelion
By Sabir Pirzada
Art by Martín Morazzo, Vanesa Del Rey, Eric Koda,  Roy Allan Martinez
Image, 2024
ISBN: 9781534397545

Publisher Age Rating: 16+

NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18)
Creator Representation:  Argentinian, Cuban, Pakistani,
Character Representation: Japanese,

SÍ, Se Puede: The Latino heroes who changed the united states

by | Nov 16, 2023

For many in the United States, there are huge portions of national history that remain obscure, if not forgotten entirely. Thankfully, there are educators and creators working to fix that problem.

Ten Speed Graphic brings us Sí, Se Puede: The Latino Heroes Who Changed the United States. The comic opens with a set of guests arriving at an immersive museum experience dedicated to preserving Latino history. They are immediately welcomed by Camilo, who serves as guide to these characters and the reader through centuries of Latino history. From the early Aztec and Mayan empires right up until the modern day, the book covers politics, sports, entertainment, science, social movements—a whole range of places in society where Latinos have left their mark. Along this journey, the immersive nature of the museum drops the characters into vibrant recreations of key moments with a readily accessible mix of factual information and natural dialogue about the process of learning a history so often overlooked.

Written by Julio Anta, the book is upfront that its primary purpose is one of celebration. From broad cultural achievements to specific individuals who have shaped the nation, the book is brimming with cultural pride for the rich heritage it describes. Even with its primary focus being educational, the text never feels like a dry recitation of facts. The information is direct, but its delivery is bursting with energy befitting a celebration of Latino culture. In broad strokes, it’s a familiar style for other educational materials aimed at youth, though never so juvenile in tone that older teens or adults will be put off.

The book touches lightly on some of the terrible hardships and atrocities faced by Latino communities of the past and present, but these are not dwelled on, as Anta keeps the primary focus on the success and endurance of these historical figures. It’s a complex topic to distill down to a single volume. The text does touch on useful and sometimes uncomfortable considerations when discussing such a broad group of people—debates about terminology, colonialism, colorism, and often conflicting worldviews that have complicated the Latino journey throughout time. The book is not a complex examination of the figures it highlights, nor does it claim to be. It is not intended to be the final word on any of the subject matter it illuminates. Rather, it feels as though Anta positions the text as a first step, to ignite pride in Latino history and encourage the curiosity to dive deeper.

Yasmín Flores Montañez provides the illustrations throughout the volume, and each page of art captures a colorful palate of diverse people and rich history. Balancing moments of triumph with the multitude hardships Latinos have had to overcome, the visuals keep pace with the shifting tone of the writing, propelling the reader along with the museum guide and guests. Emotions and action are clear, the art is a pleasure to look over, and the representations of individuals across the pages show a full spectrum of skin colors, body types, ages, and genders. Through each chapter, Montañez matches the pride and energy of the writing, bringing these chapters of history to life in dramatic fashion.

Whether Latino or not, any reader seeking more familiarity with Latino heritage or forgotten moments of history will find plenty to enjoy here. The cultural pride is evident as each new story unfolds and it is both enlightening and emotional to gain insight into this wide range of figures who have changed modern life in sometimes subtle and sometimes dramatic ways—figures whose names are unknown by far too many. There is plenty more depth that could be provided about the information presented here, but Anta and Montañez succeed in their primary goal: to celebrate the tapestry of Latino history and welcome readers into a better understanding of the threads that make up the whole. The volume ends with an index of topics and a list of additional resources for anyone wishing to dive deeper, while the finale of the narrative seeks to empower Latino readers to embrace the strength of their own heritage.

As an entry point into the subject, as a work of graphic nonfiction, and as a celebration of the proud history of a rich ethnic heritage, Sí, Se Puede is a work well worth adding to any collection and can hopefully serve as a jumping-off point for further conversation, learning, and celebration of the vital diversity that has shaped the United States since its founding.

Sí, Se Puede: The Latino Heroes Who Changed the United States
By Julio Anta
Art by Yasmín Flores Montañez
Ten Speed Press, 2023
ISBN: 9781984860910

NFNT Age Recommendation: Older Teen (16-18), Teen (13-16)
Creator Representation:  Colombian, Cuban, Puerto Rican
Character Representation: Black, Latinx, Queer, Genderqueer, Trans