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In a dystopian future, the super rich must donate half of their fortune to a global welfare fund, or fight for it in mortal combat! Ted Brooks is a 21 time champion and the one opponent he’s been waiting for is up next…his ex-wife Luella Dominguez! It’s capitalism by combat as blood and satire paint the pages in Free for All #1!
- Writing and Art by Patrick Horvath
- Designed by Carey Soucy
- Edited by Megan Brown
- Published by Oni Press
Is it really “Free for All”?
Greedy, selfish, thoughtless billionaires are required to donate an allotted amount of their wealth to a global welfare fund. But why? Because If they don’t, or even choose not to, they have to step into a gladiatorial arena and fight to the death! Sounds a bit sounds a touch dystopian yeah?
Using Free for All #1 to Interpret the World Around Us
It’s certainly a twist on the common thread of slaves or the poor having to fight for their lives, or for a chance to move up in the world. That not only brings a fresh take on the trope, but also a really interesting perspective on our current society.
We have a very wealthy elite that accumulate more wealth than they could ever hope to spend in 100 lifetimes. Yet massive amounts of citizens go without food or healthcare. Patrick Horvath takes all of this a turns it on his head. Not only that, he takes a relatable subject, love scorned, and weaves it within.
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The Psychological Angles in Free for All #1
Ted Brooks is one of those ruthless wealthy elite that actually enjoys the combat. He fights to keep his money, and satisfy some sort of savage nature. The twist here, is his ex-wife, whom he screwed out of their business and left her with nothing. Suffice to say, she has been preparing for revenge. She has built a huge company, accumulating so much wealth that she gets a chance to battle. Ted just so happens to be the champion.
While there are so many things wrong with all of this, we still feel a little uneasy about it all. People cheer and enjoy the brutal murder of another human being.
It’s all a fun sport, broadcast to everyone complete with commentary. Horvath takes this thing on for every angle and shows the ugly side of it all.
The Art of Free for All #1
When I began reading, I initially found the art off putting. I’m ashamed to admit I thought it too simple. It didn’t charm me or wow me. That was inherently wrong of me, and as I continued reading I found my opinion changing. This art style was perfect for the story being told.
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I found myself becoming more and more immersed thanks to clever angles, crafty color work, and some psychedelic imagery. The neons and bright colors of this world contrasted heavily with the darker, earthy tones of the arena.
I was enthralled by the amount of violence and the way different characters physically reacted to it. Horvath had crafted a great story and now he had perfectly captured it on the pages.
Overall Grade 10/10
I enjoy books that stay with me after I put them away. Free for All is definitely one of those books. The art will stay in my mind for a long time. The story will be an occasional reminder of how i look at the world. I’m not saying I’ll judge every story with a similar trope against this, but it will definitely cross my mind.
Patrick Horvath balances the story threads from top to bottom and ends up with a solid, well thought out plot. I highly recommend this title to everyone and would encourage you to really think about it. Let me know what you come up with in the comments below!
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