COMIC BOOK REVIEW: Cyber Force #3 (Cyber Starlight)

Dr. Morrigan is on the verge of understanding the mysteries of life itself, but changing the world through her work with artificial intelligence will cost her everything…

Cyber Force #3
Created by: Marc Silvestri
Writers: Matt Hawkins & Bryan Hill
Art: Atilio Rojo
Letterer: Troy Peteri
Publisher: Image/Top Cow Productions, Inc.

What You Need to Know:

Who is the mother of artificial intelligence? The reimagining of CYBER FORCE continues as the origins of the “Aphrodite Project” are revealed…along with the dark intentions of the group that helped create her.

What You’ll Find Out:

When Dr. Morrigan began her experimentations on the human consciousness, it was through private clientele and on a smaller scale. She worked on a couples’ son who they doubted could even be helped, but her work saved his consciousness and stored it into a computer network. Though his body wasn’t perceptive in the tank, his mind was alive. But that was just a test. She soon deleted him entirely and accepted the offer from a group known as Cyber-Data to bring her work there.

One year later, she is working on bringing artificial life into existence, born purely of machines but CDI has become impatient with her work. Dr. Morrigan’s own life is threatened to pay the debts of her fruitless work but she swears she needs more time. Her only friend and cure for loneliness, Emily, is taken from her and shot in the head right in front of her.

Despite the CDI placing Dr. Morrigan on suicide watch, she eventually solved the riddle of life. With her creation nearly completed, the CDI obeys her demands and provides her with whatever she needs. She can’t bring her machine alive, so she synthesizes herself with it instead, putting her own life into it. Standing amongst the dead bodies around her, Aphrodite is born.

Now, Killjoy sits inside a cell with the villain from before who explains that she is only wanted for her ability to commit violence whenever she demands. She explains how she is from the future, and that a war is coming that the world will not understand. Killjoy remains skeptical, questioning who this person even is, but she then lifts her helmet off, revealing herself to be Aphrodite!

What Just Happened?

The latest issue of Cyber Force explores the origins of Dr. Morrigan’s artificial intelligence work, culminating to her synthesis with Aphrodite. However, it ends with a look into the future and a war that Aphrodite herself is a crucial part of. With a look into the past, present, and future, the story finds a creative pace that is remarkably satisfying. Although the action-packed sequences are lacking in this issue, the character depth that is thrust into the story adds unique tension to past events while foreshadowing unexpected interactions as Aphrodite’s identity is revealed.

The artistic direction is consistent with previous issues, but aside from a few spreads that give insight into the technological process behind the advancements seen there isn’t too much that readers haven’t seen before.

Telling the origins of Dr. Morrigan at this point seemed unusual and at first appeared to diminish the action-packed narrative established up to this point. But the story was told in a way that contributed to the many aspects established prior while simultaneously providing a twist that is sure to make the upcoming issues quite unpredictable.

Cyber Force #3 introduces the complexities of humanity in its latest issue, expanding on the badass women who have come to the forefront of the story. It is an emotional tale of exploitation and sacrifice that perfectly elaborates on the character’s driving interests and promises great things in the future!

Rating: 8.5/10

Final Thoughts: Although the latest issue of Cyber Force focuses less on action and outright violence, it successfully tells a dark origin story that delves into the mystery of life and proves that not everything is as it seems.