Pixels of You by Ananth Hirsh, Yuko Ota
Published by Amulet on November 2021Genres: Graphic Novel
Pages: 176
Format: eBook
Source: Publisher
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A human and human-presenting AI slowly become friends—and maybe more—in this moving YA graphic novel
In a near future, augmentation and AI changed everything and nothing. Indira is a human girl who has been cybernetically augmented after a tragic accident, and Fawn is one of the first human-presenting AI. They have the same internship at a gallery, but neither thinks much of the other’s photography. But after a huge public blowout, their mentor gives them an ultimatum: work together on a project or leave her gallery forever. Grudgingly, the two begin to collaborate, and what comes out of it is astounding and revealing for both of them. Pixels of You is about the slow transformation of a rivalry to a friendship to something more as Indira and Fawn navigate each other, the world around them—and what it means to be an artist and a person.
The themes and questions this graphic novel brought up intrigued me and I lost myself for a couple of hours enjoying the delicate story and seamless illustrations.
Indira and Fawn are working on a gallery project together and as they explore the meaning of their show, they open themselves up to each other. Even though one is a human presenting AI (Fawn) and the other is a girl with an eye that’s actually a gadget. Fawn and Indira both learn what it is to be human, compassionate and forgiving. I really like how Fawn is more open and ready to explore. Indira is more jaded, angry and alone. They balance each other well and as their relationship grows into a friendship, the two come together to really experience the against them and against all AI as the headlines relate what is going on in the world around them.
What really struck me about the story is how Indira and Fawn’s perception of the other changes over time as they both realize that they are ultimately the same inside. What it means to be human, or alive is something shared by all living things and Fawn opens Indira up to experience friendship, vulnerability and love.
Kimberly majored in Songwriting and currently works full time in the music industry. When she's not listening to music, knitting or writing, you can find her outside reading her favorite genres: Young Adult, Adult Fiction, Mystery, and Romance.
