Exploit #1 – Buying Silence

A conspiracy to silence the media in Exploit #1 Tim Leong, Laura Hudson, Emiliana Pinna, Rebecca Good & Frank Cvetkovic from Mad Cave Studios.

This is a joint review with two of our finest – Eda and Yancy!

FROM SOLICITATION

“Don’t bury the lede. Bury your enemies. Kirby Kuo might be late to her true purpose in life–but no one would call the 30-something journalism intern out of time. When she uncovers a shocking secret about tech billionaire Cole Saxon, Kirby does what she has always wanted to do and publishes it. But the violence and vengeance that follows is like nothing she could have anticipated–pitting Kirby, her agoraphobic roommate, and the writing staff of the defunct magazine RIOT! to bring justice to a world where the rich get what they want without consequence. Exploit is a timely, biting satire of the state of the American tech oligarchy with a pop-punk edge.”

*SPOILERS FOR ISSUE #1*

PRINT IS DYING

Yancy:

In a world very much like ours, printed media is a dying business. Regardless of that gloomy future, working as a journalist is the dream of one Kirby Kuo. At 34 years old she decided to take an internship at the RIOT! Magazine. Late as she may be to start in the business, she is very excited for the opportunity. However, her first pitch meeting went as bad as you can imagine. Not only does Kirby get her pitch turned down, but the magazine itself is going away.

TECH OLIGARCHS

Unfortunately, RIOT! Magazine has a reputation publishing real expose articles. Which in today’s day and age are not very popular with the powers that be. The reason for this corporate buy-out is one Cole Saxon. A tech billionaire who’s looking to absorb media companies to restructure them, strip them of their assets and replace the print with A.I. content. But the worst and most important aspect of the merger, silencing real voices and real journalism.

Eda:

When it comes to the actual story, it feels very poignant for today’s day and age. With the goal seemingly to be taking down a rich boy that’s all for AI, the message seems clear and is one that I love! For anyone that might seem lost and confused in today’s new age of politics and media, this may just be a must read! Writers Tim Leong and Laura Hudson are absolutely in their bag.

HOW ABOUT THE ART?

Yancy: Emiliana Pinna and Rebecca Good bring a sharp and colorful world to life in the background. There’s a real feeling of a vibrant city everywhere Kirby goes in the story. Also, they incorporate a mix of techniques to highlight tension in a room. Or they elevate the statue of a character by breaking panels with their silhouettes. Great use of the medium for storytelling. 

Eda: As previously stated, the first thing that intrigues me about “Exploit” was the eye catching cover by Emiliana Pinna & Rebecca Good! The uses of red & purple really made Kirby pop, helped only by her very striking pose. The cover did such a great job at conveying the story about to unfold, and I love that this style was kept the whole way through the book.

OVERALL GRADE: 8/10  

FINAL THOUGHTS

Yancy 8/10: Finally, I understand they’re calling this satire in the solicitation. Yet, when life is stranger than fiction, one could say Kirby’s story is taking place in our reality. Since 2024 this sort of corporate mergers and buy-outs have become very public and very messy. Especially the purchasing of news media outlets. I’m not one to speak for writers Tim Leong or Laura Hudson, but I for one appreciate this type of political and social commentary in my comic books. Because no aspect of life is above criticism or satire. Especially the absurd, outrageous and ridiculous actions of the wealthy and powerful. Exploit from Mad Cave Studios is the type of art that pulls peoples heads from the sand.

Eda 9/10: From the eye catching artwork to the fantastic writing with a poignant and punchy message, this is a book anyone should be reading right now! I’m beyond excited to see where this leads.

LET US KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS ON EXPLOIT #1 IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW: