'Superbug' Narrative

Superbug Comic

By contrast, I hope within ‘Day of the superbug’ to replicate the bright, garish, acidic colours common to 1950s/60s sci-fiction posters; either utilizing coloured ink and markers or perhaps using risograph if my limited experience and budget allows.

However, the chief inspiration of this story likewise comes from a black and white film, the 1954 ‘Godzilla’. In terms of narrative, both concern the development of technology by humans that ultimately brings about terrible consequences in the form of terrible giant creatures. Both stories include the eye patch adorned chief scientist ultimately sacrificing their lives to stop the creature.

Despite the intentional parallels, I wanted to add elements of a somewhat dark, subversive humour to the proceedings. I tried to include points that suggested a degree of selfishness or obliviousness in the main characters, while ultimately suggesting the sacrifice of the scientist is for nothing and that humanity will repeat it’s destructive mistakes. The flippancy of its characters also aids the brevity of the story, hopefully never dwelling too long on story scenarios the audience is well exposed to.

A substantial difference between this story and that of the ‘Identity Thieves’ is its inclusion of text; portentous narration and bulky exposition being honoured hallmarks of the science fiction genre. I felt that the subject matter of ‘Day of the Superbug’ demanded greater clarification to be fully understood, as well as the dialog helping to maintain narrative focus through the story, being over twice as long as ‘Identity Thieves’. Nevertheless I attempted to include visual elements that enhanced the overall appreciation and context of the narrative. The city’s buildings and the armaments deployed against the eponymous creature are modelled after syringes, pills and pill bottles, suggestive of the over overmedicated society within story’s world.