Reburn is the story of how a YA hero becomes a product that benefits a new dystopia. This request from creator Alyson Shelton and producer/editor Jessica Petelle captures the imagination of what happens after the revolution. But the bigger question is: can a hero can be something besides a representation?
The Mythical Investment
The way Shelton describes Reburn protagonist May is like a character from a creation myth. After some biblical floods she and a political leader Hope apparently create the utopia, The Unity. But one person’s utopia is everyone else’s dystopia. Once Hope gets the resources, she trades her former ally away like May’s a stock share to her new sponsor. Under drugs and abuse, May becomes a shell of the figure who inspires followers that come to her rescue. In this way, May becomes less of a symbol and more of an intellectual property at her owner’s whim.
To further the violation, May’s genetic material is used by Hope to create super soldiers. For me that’s kind of like spinning off and franchising characters e.g. Supergirl from Superman. Because having these “children” of May is practically like having her around without actually being May. With this, Hope through her business partner tries to keep her nation’s legend alive through May’s legacy. But without any context on my end to the specifics about the Unity’s foundations, let’s go over the Unity itself.
A System To Reburn
With only the first issue, I admittedly don’t have much to work with on a Unity description. But from what I can gather, the setting of Reburn is a collectivist state under Hope. Hope despite her title as “Leader and Servant” appears more like a dictator. The way she presents herself in a large hologram and makes the use of the slogan “We Are One” is more like surveillance. As for the citizens, they look entirely helpless as one person uses “We Are One” to call for help. That’s not even including how during a rebel attack, no one including security or the citizens try to run away or fight back. It’s as though they’re so used to safety, they don’t recognize danger. That lack of recognizing danger is what leads to my main criticism in the first issue.
The Strawmen For Reburning
Hope’s supplier and keeper of May, Grey, is not a character, he is a Hate Sink trope. He’s abusive towards his paid for trophy wife May, he kills people including innocents with mustard gas, and above all else he’s just stupid. Despite being the CEO of Hope’s drug and genetic supplies, he really has no purpose other than as an obstacle. The man gave away a secret of May’s “children” that would’ve been a trigger to her past. To really drive home how this business leader didn’t cover his tracks, he should’ve known to keep May on his company’s drugs. I don’t know maybe it’s because with real corporate CEOs being subtle with oppression, Grey feels like a mockery.
Should Reburn Even Have A “Hero”?
But now for the piece that really gives me hope for this series’ potential. Please note that everything after this is speculation. May’s status has inspired many people including followers in her name. That’s also why I believe Hope tries to remove May from her perfect world. Hope may be an intelligent politician but her wish to end divisions between people doesn’t sit well with others. May is certainly crucial to the development of Unity, but her legend and popularity is a threat to Hope’s vision. A lot of people would rather have May as their representative instead of Hope, especially since Unity is still a relatively new nation where change is easier.
While May just wants a normal life, nobody can see her as anything but a symbol. Even some of the members of “Our Lady May” aren’t the most social. One member looks ready to kill May in the event she’s too corrupted. Which is what connects her with Hope, they would rather have May as a martyr if their interests don’t match. May’s mundane life with her real husband Skye and their daughters meanwhile isn’t something everyone can or wants to have. Hence why Hope is willing to drug the populace including May with her “protocols” so that she can manage their problems. Or alternatively, get wise to the fact that systemic issues still exist.
Keep Your Matches Handy
Reburn is a series with a lot of potential. As somebody familiar with the YA dystopia genre, this feels like a natural followup to many of those stories. Because along with revolutions, the heroes of these periods are more or less just names. Not even just names but intellectual properties under corporate rule. For now I’m giving this first issue 8/10 for the greater potential; also art by Elise McCall, Hilary Jenkins, and Joamette Gil with assistance from Ruth Ilano. But please pay attention for any updates.
Thanks for coming to the end and as always remember to look between the panels.