REVIEW: 'Made in Korea' #3 by Jeremy Holt, George Schall, and Adam Wollet

Jesse's new friends have a deadly plan in place. She just wants to belong and that makes her vulnerable to do the unthinkable. 

MADE IN KOREA #3

Writer: Jeremy Holt

Artist: George Schall

Publisher: Image Comics

Release Date: July 28, 2021

Cover Price: $3.99

WHAT DO THE LIGHTS ON YOUR PROXY MEAN?

The lights on your Proxy communicate its status.

•  Blue - Your child is processing your request.

•  Red - Your child's microphone on and off button was pressed.

•  Orange - Your child is experiencing internet connectivity issues.

•  The Do Not Disturb feature is turned on.

1. Press and hold the Action button (behind left ear).

2. Wait until the light ring turns green (about 25 seconds).

Score:

★★★★1/2 (4.5/5)

At the end of 'Made in Korea' #2 the friendship between Jesse and the boys from school took a dark turn. Actually, I expected a dark turn of some kind and even this was surprising. Their interest in her from the beginning was a little suspicious and issue three makes it clear exactly what they're up to and it's terrifying. 

Jesse's parents are rightly concerned as would any parent whose daughter, android or not, is dropped off at home by two teenage boys they've never met. Jesse is acting out but it's because she doesn't understand the danger she's in. All she knows is that she has friends when no one else will be. She's been marginalized and  ostracized at school. She's lonely and has found these two kids who accept her, hang out with her, teach her things, encourage her. When her parents question her she feels attacked. Their questioning just doesn't compute. Jesse doesn't see she's being used. The bigger problem is these boys have a twisted response to their sense of isolation based in misplaced retribution and violence. It will escalate into a cliffhanger that will leave the reader shocked and filled with dread. 

Jeremy Holt taps into some realistic angst from both the perspective of parent and child. For Jesse's parents, it's frustrating being unable to communicate with your child or prepare them for potential dangers. It's just as true for human kids as it is for an android. They both need guidance and information. As a parent myself, this scenario is a nightmare. Jesse's parents are new to this and don't have the benefit of raising a human child from birth. They've thrown themselves into a situation that has accelerated because of Jesse's superpowered computer brain. However, like real kids, book smart doesn't equal street smart. And now she's rebelling and headed for a catastrophic outcome. 

George Schall is a great artist and in a story full of raw emotion, the depictions of anger, joy, confusion, determination, and fear are achingly precise and emotionally resonate. The characters are dealing with so much that each storyline is coming to a crescendo in only the third issue. Jesse and her parents, her parents and Chul, Jesse and the boys, are all about to collide in ways readers didn't expect when they opened issue one. 

'Made in Korea' #3 has taken a turn that changes everything for the series. It's an emotional roller coaster that doesn't let up and the ending is frighteningly familiar and disturbing. Holt captures the very real angst of an isolated and marginalized student finding kinship with all the wrong people and the consequences of that decision could prove disastrous. The line between human and A.I. proxy is blurred when it comes to trying to belong. 'Made in Korea' has become a timely, resonant, gripping, emotionally charged series that is about to explode. 

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