5 Star Review
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Editorial Book Review:
By TJ Brown
James Carman’s graphic novel HyperParanoid: An Ascension Story offers an intriguing blend of science fiction and spiritual exploration. Set in the year 2173, the narrative envisions a future where an alien race known as the Eon Breeders has taken control of the Solar Republic, depleting the sun’s vital energy. Central to humanity’s potential liberation is LC, a hybrid artificial intelligence. Her mission is to discover a perfect, enigmatic melody that could dismantle the Eon Breeders’ harsh regime and free mankind from their captivity.
The subject of the story is exciting since it blends the necessity for existence with important philosophical questions. The prisoners, who include a general, a conspiracy theorist, and members of the financial elite, have just twelve hours to live in order to avoid being put to death. This chaotic chronology adds layers of suspense as these unusual allies must put aside their disagreements in order to overthrow their oppressors. Carman's ability to subtly integrate personal struggles with broader philosophical questions like consciousness, agency, and autonomy elevates the narrative beyond the parameters of conventional dystopian fiction.
HyperParanoid's imaginative world-building and exploration of the human mind as a liberation battleground set it apart from other games. This approach introduces an innovative and unconventional strategy for confronting injustice.
Illustrator Jaf Farkas's stunning graphics, which eloquently capture the desolate, alien world of HyperParanoid, elevate the story. The spooky, frequently grotesque imagery in the book combines the serious topics of hope and madness. Following the spiritual and psychological adventures of each character is made even more fascinating by the fact they are all distinct in their personality and look.
HyperParanoid is more than just a graphic novel—it offers a deep, philosophical exploration of the mind and soul. With its intricate storyline, well-developed characters, and stunning visuals, it stands out as a must-read for lovers of science fiction, dystopian tales, and spiritually reflective narratives.
About the Author James Carman
James Carman is inspired by the worldly and otherworldly. He creates content that looks behind the veil of consensual reality, examining what most are ready to ignore. His art is for the curious and brave. It is for those who want humanity to evolve spiritually.
James is an accomplished and award-winning filmmaker and cinematographer. His feature length documentary, ‘The Hidden Hand; Alien Contact and the Government Cover-up that explores the phenomena of Alien Contact, has won 5 awards and is distributed internationally. He has also shot many feature films that were screened in festivals and theaters worldwide: (Sundance, Cannes, Berlin, and Toronto film festivals.) Five films he shot were shown at the MoMA retrospective of Bruce LaBruce.
He shot 10 films about sexual criminals for Shu Lea Cheang’s 3x3x6. They were the centerpiece of the Taiwan Pavilion at the 2019 Venice Biennale. In 2023, he produced his most recent short Bitter Brownies, which has won over 27 awards.
In creating HyperParanoid, he made use of all of his skills as an award-winning director, film maker and script writer together with Jaf Farkas, who helped bring to life James’ vision and film language. Together they wove a futuristic, dystopian sci-fi tale rich on love, cruelty and magic, “a stark interpretation of the world we already live in,” which uniquely mixes humor, prophetic and riveting story telling, and music. James is known to burst into song with his close friends – sometimes encouraged to stay and play his guitar and at other times, excused from the premises. His uplifting and quirky humor shines through the inventive, archetypal and creative playground of Hyperparanoid.
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