REVIEW: 'Duplicant' #1 (of 3) by Karla Nappi and Marianna Strychowska

Duplicant is a thriller about the forces conspiring against the one man who offers hope during a pandemic. That man is Matt Travers, a scientist who creates duplicate organs that saves humanity from the organ failure contagion... only their high cost forces people into indentured servitude. 

In answer to this, a dangerous black market arises which is run by a religious fanatic and Matt's former mentor. Following Matt's life-changing encounter with a "Duplicant," a recipient of his technology, he comes to question everything he knows as he strives to learn the truth behind his encounter.

DUPLICANT #1 (OF 3)

(W) Karla Nappi 

(A) Marianna Strychowska 

(CA) Leila Del Duca

Publisher: Second Sight 

Release Date:  Apr 14, 2021

Price: $3.99

Score: 

★★★1/2 (3.5/5)

In 'Duplicant,' another kind of pandemic than we're used to has gripped the world in fear. Sudden organ failure is rampant and scientist Matt Travers creates the life-saving technology to duplicate an organ. The Regenerist Corporation corners the market on the technology forcing prices to escalate leaving victims at the mercy of investors to bid on their diagnosis. For Pamela Wilton, the price of her salvation could cost her everything. 

Writer and creator Karla Nappi invokes Michael Crichton with this fast-paced sci-fi medical thriller. It's an impressive display of world-building and technical know-how in describing the dangerous contagion at hand. Healthcare in real life is already a nightmare in some ways. 'Duplicant' takes it one step further and creates an allegory that resonates with a poignant portrayal of one such victim in Wilton. 

The 30-year old woman becomes a great investment for a slimy villainous banker that plans on exploiting her via sex trafficking in order to recoup his money. It's quite the metaphor for anyone who's been suddenly indebted to an insurance company for life-saving procedures. It is the catalyst for Wilton to escape and try to make Travers aware of the situation she's been placed. It's not an easy task in a society overrun with surveillance and police. The race to get to Travers before she's caught or killed is on. 

Artist Marianna Strychowska does a pristine job in creating a future world that looks modern and clean but hides the evil intentions of those in power. It's a futuristic society that hasn't learned anything from its past as the wealthy and corporations still manipulate and profit off the masses. Not even religious outlets can be trusted. Wilton's downward spiral is depicted well as Strychowska uses facial expressions, body language and wardrobe to clearly and quickly present her descending arc. 

'Duplicant' #1 offers a lot in a short time leaving room for more depth and character building. It's a great start to a fully-formed world that needs to be shaken up. It shows a lot of promise as a futuristic techno-thriller using relevant themes and potentially a great leading character.