The Longest Day of the Future

Gr 9 Up—In a city divided by two warring companies, with citizens pledging brand allegiance to the dress, mascots, and products of one or the other, two opposing plans of violent corporate espionage are complicated by the crash landing of an extraterrestrial craft. Using no dialogue, only the occasional sound effect or scream, Varela presents a series of interconnected vignettes involving each of the various players, forcing readers to find context and information in the visuals. Color becomes incredibly important in decoding both the tone and the plot, and readers' progressive grasp of connections will build enjoyment. And there is much to appreciate, especially for those fond of absurdist violence, creepy dream sequences, and existential futility, all of which abound, as every page contains either a small character moment or a quick gag to advance the ever-accumulating story. This, combined with the intricate world design, makes for a book packed with invention, action, and discovery, even if some of the events are quite dark. The first scene involves a character contemplating suicide, and a later mild topless interlude quickly becomes as unerotic as is imaginable. The violence is never realistic, managing to be both extreme and comic. And, ultimately, no one is really victorious, which solidifies the consumerist satire and leaves readers appropriately discomfited.