Comic Comparisons: The End of the Cloud
When reading an article on io9 about a notable new comic, I found the series from Image called Analog. It is about a post-post-apocalypse where cloud storage became open to the public showing the secrets of people’s online activity. It reminded me about a comic with a similar premise.
The Boot Ups
The comic was called “The Private Eye” by Brian K. Vaughan and Marcos Martin; winner of the 2015 Eisner and Harvey Awards for Best Digital/Online/Web Comics Work and later published physically by Image. Much like Analog, the cloud servers were suddenly available to the public one day. People lose their jobs, relationships crumble, and the internet is down. Privacy became a practical necessity; everyone wears masks, technology is analog, and law enforcement is intertwined with news networks.
Compare that to "Analog” by Gerry Duggan, David O'Sullivan and Jordie Bellaire; despite everyone’s dirty secrets coming out, only a fringe of people have their lives ruined. The younger generation have essentially just went with the flow and become internet celebrities not unlike the Logan Brothers. However sensitive political information is guarded and transported at all times by couriers called "Ledger Men".
Dealing With the World
The main characters of both series deal with information networking outside of the digital world. What really makes them endearing however is what compels them in their respective worlds.
Truth Seeking
The title character of The Private Eye is an unlicensed yet highly skilled PI. Anything the detective's clients' desire like old flames they can’t recognize, he is the go-to man. This in turn got the detective a network of resources for him to use including a chauffeur. The detective lives his entire life in solitude, only working for his own benefit and staying out of the spotlight. This of course gives him very little social skills, especially with his network. The detective is driven by a need to find the truth. His world is full of twists and exaggerations for the sake of a good story, often with no answers. The detective sympathizes with people who have also lost loved ones, which appears to be his main quotas for clients.
Blessing in Disguise
Jack “Human Punching-Bag” McGinnis from Analog on the other hand is the one who caused the “Great Doxing”. McGinnis payed a hefty price by losing his old career in the NSA and takes responsibility for the new world. It also brings insight of his nickname; aside from his tenacity no one who really knows McGinnis will ever give him slack for starting the “Great Doxing”. Yet McGinnis believes the world is a better place because only the worst groups of people badly affected. This along with his job as a Ledger Man reinforces McGinnis’ belief that he caused the “Great Doxing” for a reason.
Execution
In terms of first impression, Private Eye details in showing rather than telling what happened. The first pages just display with detail and action about the world with close-ups and actions. This builds the world up naturally and sets the tone like a classic noir setting. Analog on the other hand tried too much exposition in its first chapter causing polarizing reviews despite the unique concepts. In fact the premise jumps from transporting a secret to meeting McGinnis’ anti-facist girlfriend hunting down hate groups in hiding.
Overall Idea
These series display the underlying fear of having a secret compromised at any time. Just the smallest bit of compromised information is a risk. Some of these oppressors end up becoming just as bad as the toxic groups they are against. Because of this, people are genuinely afraid to be themselves and all but lose their connections to the real world.