Dissident X

by Arnold Pander, Jacob Pander (Illustrator)

The revolution has been remastered and updated in this sci-fi thriller!

Hans, an American journalist with a photographic memory, escapes New York City after it falls under martial law. Traumatized by the deadly authoritarian crackdown he witnessed and harboring vital knowledge that can restore freedom and democracy back home, Hans takes refuge with a group of militant activists in Amsterdam--where a multi-national weapons manufacturer controls the levers of power with the help of state-controlled media. Hans' curious mind uncovers an ecological disaster in the making and a deadly terrorist conspiracy puts him in the crosshairs of authorities. With nowhere left to run, Hans must choose between the pen or the sword to expose the truth and face the consequences as a political dissident. This collection presents the Pander Brothers' mid-1990s graphic novel, Triple X , now in color, with a new introductory story, completely remastered and redrawn story pages, and a new sketchbook section.

Collects the original TRIPLE X graphic novel, by the Pander Brothers, now in full color, with a new introductory chapter, remastered original interiors, and a new sketchbook section.

Genres: Comics

424 pages, Paperback

Published December 3, 2019

Reviews

[Jefferson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a retooling of Triple X, originally published in 1994 and quite prescient with its tale of media manipulation, corporate arrogance, and police over-reach. Unfortunately the updated version's addition of a directionless subplot about data privacy doesn't really serve the story in any meaningful way, and makes the original's weird sci-fi tropes like hovercars and super-soldiers seem even more out of place in what is otherwise a great story about political protest that's even more relevant today.

[Clay · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is a chapter bolted onto the front of the original "XXX" series that attempts to set this into a more contemporary setting rather than the imagined future from the late '90s. That was good and set up some expectations that didn't pan out for me in the rest of the chapters. The whole point of the setup is mentioned several times throughout the course of the story, but there is no payoff at the end. Was it really necessary to tack on the new material, both the prologue and the additions in the story to keep the reader in mind of said prologue?

The environmental angle of the story is good, however, with the new setup, seems to come from left field. Many of the situations and minor characters were only placed in the story to act as nothing more than plot devices to compel the actions of the main characters. Plus, there's a whole other subplot (without words) that is inserted and doesn't have any kind of impact, even at the end of the book with a resolution to that subplot.

[Hisham · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reworked story from the 90s with a look into the 21st century. An alternative Tintin homage set in a dystopian Amsterdam. The punk style artwork isn't my usual cup of tea, but it is fits the themes of the story. No necessarily a must read, but still interesting.

[Alex Mickelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

**FIND ME ON STORYGRAPH - @m1ck_m4ck**

This felt like the kind of graphic novel I'd like, but I just didn't. The art didn't quite do it for me, the writing was heavy-handed in its delivery. It was fine, I guess? but nothing special and won't read again.