Image Comics’ Self/Made No. 5 review: What’s even real any more?

Self/Made No. 5 features a time-jump where Amala hunts for the truth and meets a new scientist. But does he have answers, or is he just another mad scientist?

Self/Made No. 5

Writer: Mat Groom

Artist: Eduardo Ferigato

Colours: Marcelo Costa

Self/Made No. 5 Cover (Credit: Image Comics)

When we left Amala and Rebecca in the previous issue of Self/Made, they had reached a crossroads in their relationship. After so many upheavals, Amala no longer trusted her creator, and Rebecca was afraid for her life. As we see in Self/Made No. 5, both characters had every right to fear each other.

We meet a new character in Self/Made No. 5. Rafael had a transcendent experience some time ago, and it directly impacted his theories about the world. Along with two other scientists, Rafael created a machine that would prove his theory. The trouble is, without his colleagues, Rafael can’t really prove anything at all. Which begs the question, is Rafael telling the truth, or is he delusional?

That’s when Amala stumbles across him. She needs help figuring out the world she’s in and…let’s just say, things only go downhill from there. Amala is prized property, but she’s much more than that. She really comes alive in this issue of the series thanks to some subtle character moments that writer Mat Groom includes. The denouement of this issue will leave readers reeling. You will be left questioning what’s real and what isn’t.

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Self/Made No. 5 feels very different from the issues that have come before. This is the second time jump in two issues, but this installment is also told from Rafael’s perspective for the most part. We definitely feel the loss of Amala and Rebecca’s dynamic here, but could there be another female protagonist for readers in upcoming issues?

The world built by the creative team is immersive and expanding with every issue. After issue one, we should have come to expected the unexpected, but the twists keep on coming with this series. Just as the world is full of surprises for Amala, so it is for the reader. Who knows what’s around the corner in this series! It makes for an incredibly compelling read, keeping readers off-kilter and waiting for more.

Self/Made No. 5 (Credit: Image Comics)

Eduardo Ferigato’s art is so distinctive, it gives the world of Self/Made its own unique vibe. The expressiveness of the characters is particularly obvious in this issue. As wonderful as his work is, though, the star of this issue is once again Marcelo Costa’s colors. The panels with Amala are a revelation – the look of her metal exterior juxtaposed with the harsh lights on her robotic body are spectacular to look at. There’s also plenty of shadow-work that is delightful and adds depth to the proceedings. The creative team on this series seem to be a well-oiled machine, unlike the poor characters on page.

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Is there hope in the offing for Amala? She has known nothing but turmoil ever since she gained sentience, and deserves some peace. Self/Made No. 5 seems to be closing a chapter for Amala, while opening new doors for the character. The finality of the denouement is a little hard to stomach, especially since Groom and team have ensured the characters have such rounded personalities. What will next month’s issue hold in store for readers and Amala?

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