“Likes and Dislikes” become Life and Death in DEATH RATIO’D from AWA Studios

February 22, 2024

1–2 minutes

AWA Studios have just announced details of DEATH RATIO’D, a brand new darkly satirical one-shot from Eisner and Ringo Award-winning writer Mark Russell and fan-favourite artist Laci, which is being described as “a cautionary tale about systems designed to control expression and behavior, exploring how society organizes itself when ratings affect your day-to-day life.”

Here’s the official synopsis:

When DEATH RATIO’D protagonist Arnold awakes from a coma twenty years into the future, he discovers that society is now ruled by social media conventions. Enough “likes” and “upvotes” can unlock fame and fortune but watch out, because enough “thumbs down” clicks, and you’re done when the collar around your neck explodes. Confused and running on his last “like,” Arnold must now navigate a world in which the slightest misstep can have fatal consequences.

“DEATH RATIO’D is about a future where social media has replaced the government and the self-reinforcing norms that follow,” said creator and writer Mark Russell. “But, in a broader sense, it’s about a man waking up from a coma to find himself stepping into a technological landscape he doesn’t quite understand, which is how I believe most of us feel these days.”

“Mark Russell is one of the most canny satirical writers of our time,” added Axel Alonso, Chief Executive Officer of AWA. “As his previous AWA series – RUMPUS ROOM and the award-winning NOT ALL ROBOTS – prove, Mark is a master at crafting gut-busting, genre-bending stories that hold a funhouse mirror up to the world we live in. DEATH RATIO’D can easily be read in one sitting, but I’m confident readers will revisit it again and again to find nuances in this densely layered cautionary tale by Mark and the immensely talented artist, Laci.”

Featuring colors by Marco Lesko, letters by Sal Cipriano and covers by Rahzzah and Chris Ferguson, DEATH RATIO’D goes on sale May 29th 2024, and you can feast your eyes on some preview artwork below:

[PREVIEW ARTWORK – CLICK TO ENLARGE]