Writer: Ivan Brandon
Artist: Neil Vokes(p), Jay Geldoff(i), Giulia Brusco(c)
Publisher: Beckett
Something unpleasant was about to happen to Elyssa Claremont the Gene Fusion champion of the arena. This issue cleverly solves that problem and persuades you to care about her situation by contrasting it with the repellent attitude of the sportscasters. The more I read Gene-Fusion the more I see it as an indictment of reality shows which depend on humanity's baser instincts.
We really should not care about Elyssa Claremont since she is part of the problem, and yet there is something about her that transcends her participation in something that is truly subhuman. She exhibits though Brandon's writing and Vokes' playful artwork a confidence and charisma that pulls you into the story. There are also hints of redemption and a conspiracy afoot directed toward her.
Her relationship with the young intern Ethan is cute without being cloying and engenders further sympathy toward this character. Elyssa is also somebody who is constantly being put down and doubted. What's fascinating is how Gene Fusion instills the exact opposite of what it derides. Being human, we cannot help feel sorry for Elyssa and root for her success.
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