Jinty Volume 1 is a collection from the sci-fi comic of the same name in the 1970s and ‘80s. It tells two stories that could’ve come straight out of a Twilight Zone episode. In fact, The Human Zoo reminds me of a Twilight Zone episode from 1960 called People Are Alike All Over, although there are quite a few differences between the two. The Human Zoo tells the story of twin sisters, Shona and Jenny, who are abducted by aliens who communicate through telepathy. The girls are treated as animals, where one is sold off and the other is held captive in a cage with other humans as part of a zoo. Despite the different places they end up, both are treated as less than human. Will the sisters be able to communicate with the aliens and prove to them that they are an intelligent and thoughtful race of people, or will they be doomed to live their lives as if they were animals?
The Land of No Tears tells the story of Cassy Shaw, a girl who was born with one leg shorter than the other. While she was in the hospital having corrective surgery, she was transported into a bleak future where people with genetic defects are treated as if they have a contagious disease. It is here she is placed into a group known as the Gamma girls, where other girls like herself are kept. They are ridiculed and made to become slaves of the Alpha girls, who are the ones born without any genetic defects and are perfect in the eyes of society. Tired of being made fun of and feeling as less than human, Cassy gets the other Gamma girls together in an attempt to win the coveted Golden Girl award. This award is given to those who are the best at sports. Will they be able to become the first Gamma team to win the award and prove to the Alphas that they can be just as good as they are?
Pat Mills and Malcolm Shaw do a great job with the writing. Even though this comic was written over 30 years ago, the language is still relatable and relative today. It is intriguing and makes you think. I love both stories in that they make you evaluate how you see animals and people. With The Human Zoo, it’s easy to see how animals might feel trapped in cages and not free to roam about, or forced to eat the same thing all the time. And I also appreciate the message within The Land of No Tears, as you can understand the injustice of prejudice against people who were born with traits they had no control over. Guy Peeters does a wonderful job with the illustrations. He really captures the emotions of the characters and adds a lot of detail. This comic is a fun read and will capture the delight of any sci-fi fan. Jinty Vol 1: The Human Zoo & The Land of No Tears is available for purchase June 28th, 2018.
-Amy Walker-LaFollette