Always Human by Ari North
In the future, humans use mods (modifications) to change their appearance at will. Suntai, a young woman, notices someone who never changes her appearance. After talking to her, she learns that, the woman, Austen has Eagan’s syndrome, a rare condition which prevents a human from using mods. Mutually attracted, they start a romance, and the story blossoms from there.
Genres
Queer, graphic novel, science fiction
Description
In the near-future, people use technology to give the illusion of all kinds of body modifications—but some people have “Egan’s Syndrome,” a highly sensitive immune system that rejects these “mods” and are unable to use them. Those who are affected maintain a “natural” appearance, reliant on cosmetics and hair dye at most to help them play with their looks.
Sunati is attracted toAusten the first time she sees her and is drawn to what she assumes is Austen’s bravery and confidence to live life unmodded. When Sunati learns the truth, she’s still attracted to Austen and asks her on a date. Gradually, their relationship unfolds as they deal with friends, family, and the emotional conflicts that come with every romance. Together, they will learn and grow in a story that reminds us no matter how technology evolves, we will remain . . . always human.
Rendered in beautiful detail and an extraordinary color palette, Always Human is a sweet love story told in a gentle sci-fi setting by a queer woman cartoonist, Ari North.
Review
In the future, humans use mods (modifications) to change their appearance at will. Suntai, a young woman, notices someone who never changes her appearance. After talking to her, she learns that, the woman, Austen has Eagan’s syndrome, a rare condition which prevents a human from using mods. Mutually attracted, they start a romance, and the story blossoms from there. This was such a wonderful graphic novel. It started out on Webtoons as a serial and is now published. It has no main plot but is more a slice-of-life story, told from the perspectives of Suntai and Austen, and the course of their relationship and personal lives. It’s incredibly wholesome, just what I love. It’s set in the future but they face common problems in relationships today. The story explores disability acceptance and ableism, college pressure, making difficult career decisions, family, body image insecurities, and other important topics. It’s casually diverse, filled with characters of all skin colors, non-binary people, polyamorous relationships, and more. All of it is treated as normal. Every time I went to read this it gave me a warm feeling inside. It has a very beautiful romance and handles issues with sensitivity and compassion. I loved it and I’m sad it’s not more well known.