3.75 *

This was an unusual read. Definitely not for the faint of heart. If you are sensitive to graphic sex and violence then I would warn you away from this one.

I have been an avid fan of Brian K. Vaughans work for quite some time ( Y: The Last Man being one of my all time favourite graphic novels) but Spectators didn’t quite hit the same as his previous works. The idea was compelling but the execution felt a bit lacking. While introspective at times, dare I say the parts without sex and violence were almost a little...boring. If that isn’t ironic, I don’t know what is.

We are introduced to our main character who is killed in a mass shooting as part of a lethal game called #leaderboard; a vicious game of who can kill the most people at one time, effectively ending with a ‘highscore’ on the #leaderboard. Despite being dead, our protagonist continues to spectate on human life for the foreseeable decades. The majority of the story takes place on a futuristic earth and Nico Henrichon’s art really brought this to life. The colour juxtaposition between the living and the dead was a Spec-tacular (Poor attempt at pun) idea.

Overall, the concept of ‘Spectators’ is very meta, with a break in the fourth wall which was actually very clever. The whole book revolves around the idea that people have a morbid fascination with watching sex and violence and by the end, you the reader, are just as complicit.

** I received a complimentary copy of this book from Image Comics via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for early copy for review*

Big fan of Y the last man and Saga, but this is not for me. If you like sex and nihilism then maybe this is for you. Gave it an extra star for the art or it would have got 1 star.

The concept and artwork of this was wonderful, but unfortunately it fell flat for me. It seemed quite focused on being sexual, and i think it could have done so much more and been a bit more interesting. But as I say, fantastic artwork

Thank you to NetGalley & Image Comics for an eARC of this graphic novel. All opinions are my own.

DNF @ 25%

I suppose the fault is my own, for not reading the description more closely. I was aware that this was 'erotic' but I have no experience in erotica in the form of graphic novel, and for some reason was not expecting the content to be so *graphic* (jokes on me). For me there was just way too much nudity in the actual images themselves for me to enjoy this, while the storyline to that point was actually pretty engaging and interesting, I just don't think I'm the right fit for this one.

I think a better audience would be those more comfortable with images of a graphic nature, both in the context of sexual imagery & gratuitous violence.

For a story that’s undeniably explicit in nature, SPECTATORS left me with an unexpected sense of quiet sadness. Brian K. Vaughan has this uncanny ability to take what seems like a provocative premise and turn it into something deeply introspective about the ties that bind us as people.

True to form, Vaughan delivers something incredibly readable—I powered through it in just a few sessions. The narrative spans a big, ambitious concept, but it’s executed with a refreshing simplicity. There aren’t tons of dramatic twists or edge-of-your-seat moments, which is kind of surprising given that mass death plays a major role (wild, I know). The world-building feels seamless, and the characters' motivations are clear without ever becoming overly complicated.

The characters are invested, but there’s a sort of resigned, almost zen attitude in how they face the events unfolding around them. That same mood rubbed off on me as a reader. It feels like the heart of the book is about how none of us get to choose the timing of our end. We all wish it’ll happen “the right way,” but in reality… things just happen. Thinking about it now, I’m not sure “sad” is the perfect word for it. Maybe it’s more of a tranquil feeling—but not the glossy, dreamlike peace we often imagine. More like a quiet acceptance, which has its own kind of weight.

And the artwork—wow. Niko Henrichon delivers visuals that perfectly match the somber tone of the story. There’s a raw, sketch-like texture to some of the panels that hits just right. The sheer commitment to doing this entire book in grayscale is mind-blowing, and Henrichon’s attention to detail, especially in the backgrounds, really deserves major praise. It’s all around impressive.

I’m genuinely looking forward to seeing the final print edition of this. It’s a great example of what can be achieved with independent publishing and full creative freedom. While it’s not my personal favorite Vaughan work, I’d still wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone in the mood for a fast-paced, steamy exploration of death and human nature.

I will not be picking up another volume of this one. The story was okay but the graphic sex and nudity was too much.