Body And Soul: Should You Be Reading ‘Always Human’?

When you look at the sheer range and number of original stories being told in comics form today, it’s hard to imagine a better time to be a comics reader. Online and in print, from all around the world, artists and writers are telling stories with their own voices and styles, and there’s so much to choose from that it’s sometimes difficult to know what to read next. With Should I Be Reading… ?, ComicsAlliance hopes to offer you a guide to some of the best original ongoing comics being published today.

Imagine a future in which you could easily modify anything you wanted about your body. You could have feathers instead of hair, give yourself wings, enhance your memory, stop sweating in the summer. Imagine a world in which this is totally normal, and you could purchase body modifications as easily as you can grab a cup of coffee. Now imagine that you live in this world where everyone else can get mods, but you can’t. Welcome to Austen’s life.

WHAT’S IT ABOUT?

Sunati Raval is a normal girl. She goes to work, plays Starlight Soldiers (a magical girl virtual reality MMORPG) to relax, and changes her look often with the use of “mods” --- technological modifications to the human body, designed to improve function or just look cool. One day at the train station she sees a beautiful girl. She sees her again and again and again over the next few months, always with the same look. In a world full of body mods, she stands out. Her name’s Austen, and their meet-cute ends with Austen crying when she reveals to Sunati that she can’t use body mods due to her autoimmune disorder.

Despite making Austen cry, Sunati pursues her (successfully) and the rest of the comic follows their budding relationship. It’s a cute girl/girl romance within a very interesting futuristic world.

WHO’S IT BY?

Always Human is written and drawn by Ari, aka Walkingnorth. She currently lives in England but is originally from Australia, where Always Human takes place. Creating the comic is her full time job.

WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL?

Always Human takes advantage of the webcomic format and plays with a non-traditional layout. Panels may run into each other, or sit out on their own surrounded by blank space. You may have to scroll down 15 or 20 times in order to view the whole comic. Ari also creates a soundtrack for each update that plays as you read.

The art is what really makes the comic stand out, however. The color gives Always Human an incredible ethereal feeling with some backgrounds looking almost like watercolor, and other parts glowing.

WHO SHOULD READ IT?

Anyone who is interested in transhumanism, and anyone who wants a cute comic with lesbian love.

WHERE CAN I READ IT?

You can read Always Human for free at LINE Webtoon. It updates weekly on Saturdays.