Mark Russell has the outstanding ability to craft some of the most amazing satirical comics of our time and when he gets paired up with the talented Laci it’s a match that deserves all the likes. This is exactly what AWA Studios gives us in Death Ratio’d.

Death Ratio’d by Eisner and Ringo Award winning writer Mark Russell and illustrated by Laci is a satirical take on social media and internet culture that has us laughing, cringing, and thinking deeply about our own society. Protagonist Arnold navigate a world where likes and upvotes determine your fate, but too many thumbs down can be deadly.

While Mark Russell has been a stellar comic book writer for years, in Death Ratio’d his storytelling shines through, telling an entertaining dark humorous tale while allowing it to be thought-provoking. While the idea of a society that is ruled by social media is not a new idea, Russell brings a whole new flavor and somehow originality to the plot. This concept of social media trends taken to extreme levels is both absurd and eerily relatable.

This story crafted by Russell is right up Laci’s ally and is exactly why the artwork shines in this grimly fun story. Laci brings a level of excellence to sci-fi horror comics (check out the wonderfully made Trojan) that is unparalleled in comics right now. Laci pairs wonderfully with Mark’s writing to enhance the overall reading experience of Death Ratio’d creating a visually stunning comic.

Death Ratio’d delivers just the right amount of comedy mixed with a bit of brutality and satire to keep us engaged. The creative teams ability to balance the humor with darker themes is perfectly handled. The exaggerated scenarios serve as a mirror to our own society, prompting reflection on how much we rely on social media for validation and approval.

Trying to find a flaw in Death Ratio’d was difficult. While we loved the story as it sits, the only downside is that it’s only a one-shot. Although this futuristic world of likes and dislikes can be eerie to read, we could read issue after issue. However, the nature of the story is designed to be devoured in a single sitting, we will continue to revisit it over and over to uncover new layers of meaning and humor hidden within the pages.

By now if you see Mark Russell’s name on the front of a comic we recommend you just pick it up, Death Ratio’d is no different. Russell and Laci have created a dark satirical one-shot that will have you laughing as well as crying at the all-to-real world of social media and its influence on our lives. It’s a perfect blend of satire, comedy, social commentary, great writing and immensely creative artwork.

Death Ratio’d hits local comic shops on May 29, 2024 (FOC: April 22) from AWA Studios.